Free Throws Part of Brand’s Rehabilitation

Acupuncture. Hydrotherapy. Electric stimulation. Free throws.

Elton Brand is trying everything he can to speed the healing of the stress fracture in his right foot, which has sidelined him since the Clipper season opener, and was expected to idle him from four to six weeks.

Brand said he expects to have X-rays taken of the injury Tuesday to see how much healing has taken place.

“It’s been hard watching,” Brand said after Sunday’s team practice. “And after seeing us get that [first] win the other night in Denver, I really want to get back.”

Brand said he was “a fast healer” but still can’t put much weight on his right foot. “But I’m feeling good.”

When asked if shooting free throws was actually part of his rehabilitation, Brand smiled. “I don’t know if I’m supposed to, but I’m doing it anyway.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy said the team plans to put Brand on the injured list Nov. 15. He will activate either Glen Rice, Olden Polynice or Josh Moore.

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Dunleavy led the team through a long practice and seemed pleased by the team’s energy and focus.

“I thought our execution and recognition of plays was really good all the way around today,” he said. “The decision-making was good, and that’s something we need.”

Since taking the job, Dunleavy and his staff have spent a lot of practice time on the players reading defenses faster and making the correct counter moves. “That’s our biggest challenge,” Dunleavy said.

“I thought in our last game our guys made their fewest mistakes on defensive reads. But the game plan was relatively simple in regards in what we had to stop and how we had to do it. It wasn’t as complicated as it can get for certain teams.”

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Quentin Richardson is the team’s second-leading scorer (17.3 points) behind Corey Maggette (25.3). But the fourth-year Clipper doesn’t expect to break the 20-points-a-game average any time soon, and especially once the Clippers get their injured players back.

“I think I can be a 20-point scorer,” Richardson said, “but I’m not really concerned about it. When we get our other players back, it will be even better for us. It’s good that Corey and I can score, but we have more firepower. When everyone’s producing, that makes it better for the team.”