Polynice Fills Role as Character Actor

For all intents, Olden Polynice is an assistant coach earning a player’s salary from the Clippers.

Signed by the team last summer after two seasons out of the league, the NBA journeyman, in his 15th year in the league, has spent all but five games on the injured list. His only time on the court was a nine-minute stint in a Dec. 3 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Purportedly sidelined because of a neck strain, the 6-foot-10 center hangs onto his job because his one-year, $688,000 contract is guaranteed, he might be needed in an emergency and his experience and exemplary work habits are valued by the Clippers.

He knows he might never play again but seems OK with it.

“I’m helping these guys, I’m helping this team, whether I play or not,” said Polynice, who is not shy about sharing an opinion, or a laugh. “And that’s the focus that I have. I help them in practice. I help them during the games.

“From a personal standpoint and athletic standpoint, the competition, yeah, I crave that. But I know I’m doing some good things even though I’m not active.”

He turned 39 last month and said he would love to coach when he’s finished playing, but thoughts of retirement have not even crossed his mind.

Even when he couldn’t find work in the NBA for two years, Polynice toiled in basketball’s bush leagues, determined to return to the grand stage.

“The main motivation was, I wasn’t done,” he said. “That was it in a nutshell. I wasn’t done. I wasn’t retired. I just couldn’t get on a team. That’s why I went to the CBA, Globetrotters, the USBL.

“I love playing basketball, so I was willing to do whatever I had to do just to stay in shape and keep playing. It’s basically the love of the game.”

The Clippers probably won’t bring him back next season.

“If this is my final year in the NBA, then that’s what it is,” said the Haitian-born Polynice, who said he found religion during his two seasons out of the league. “It’s not up to me anymore. The Big Man has the plan.

“If he says it is [my last year], as far as the NBA, then I’ll go overseas and play. I’m not done playing. I’m in great shape. I look at Kevin Willis; he’s 41 years old and still playing [for the San Antonio Spurs]. So I know I can get at least two, three more years in, whether it’s in the NBA or somewhere else.”

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In eight starts since returning from the injured list, Elton Brand has averaged 17.8 points and 13.1 rebounds, scoring in double figures in each game and failing to reach double figures in rebounds only once.... The Clippers, given a day off Sunday, were scheduled to practice today in Dallas before flying this afternoon to San Antonio, where on Tuesday they’ll play the Spurs.