Kaman Gets in Contact

Meanwhile, at Clipper training camp in Palm Desert, in what passes for drama, Chris Kaman took contact for the first time, participating in a scrimmage and surviving not only the pushing and shoving inside but also a vigorous chest bump from teammate Keyon Dooling after a muscular tip-in.

“Oh, man, it felt really good,” said the rookie center from Central Michigan. He had been held back by the Clippers before Thursday because of a herniated disk in his back. “It didn’t bother me at all. It felt solid.... It’s helpful to me to know that I’m finally getting past this.”

The Clippers, who feared that Kaman might be sidelined through the exhibition season, were encouraged but still haven’t cleared him.

“I don’t want a relapse,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said, indicating that Kaman would be reevaluated this morning and continue to be monitored closely and brought along slowly. “I’d rather it be, ‘Hey, take our time and make sure we get it right.’ But so far he’s ahead of schedule.”

And he’s eager to continue.

“Man, I was getting frustrated because I was watching the guys play and I know I can compete,” Kaman said. “I wanted to get in there, so it was good. But I’m still a little rusty on both ends of the court.”

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Dunleavy, on the first six days of practice, including a ragged scrimmage Wednesday night: “The defense has been good, which has me concerned about the offense. When you’re [emphasizing] one thing, you want it to be good, but you don’t want it to be too good.” ... Single-game tickets will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m., available through clippers.com, Ticketmaster and the Staples Center box office, or by calling (800) 462-2849, the Clippers announced.