Maggette Puts Drive in His Game

One reason for Corey Maggette’s recent scoring binge has been the Clipper swingman’s willingness to take punishment on his frequent forays to the rim, enabling him to draw fouls.

“I needed to be more aggressive toward the basket,” he said. “Early on, my back was hurting and I couldn’t really take the ball to the basket as aggressively as I wanted. Now I’m able to do that.”

While averaging 27.4 points in seven games this month, Maggette has averaged 12.1 free throws made and 13.7 attempted, compared to his November averages of 5.9 made and 7.2 attempted. He made three of 17 shots from the field Friday.

“We’re always talking to him about attacking the rim because that’s what he does well,” said Coach Mike Dunleavy, adding that coaches tell Maggette, “ ‘Your jump shots should be great jump shots, open jump shots, because otherwise you’ve got the ability to get to the rim on people.’

“He should almost never take a contested [outside] shot....

“He goes from zero to 60 about as good as anybody I’ve ever seen. When he gets it and goes, he can get there in a hurry. At his size, strength, physical stature, I don’t know many guys that can do that.

“He gets there and he’s really willing to take a hit. A lot of guys aren’t willing to commit. There are certain guys that could do it, but the pounding they take in there ... after one or two, they don’t go back. But he does.”

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Elton Brand, still sporting a crimson blotch in his left eye after taking a finger Tuesday, decided against wearing goggles, citing discomfort.

“You miss a free throw, you blame it on the goggles,” he said. “That’s why I don’t wear a headband anymore. I’d get upset and blame it on the headband.”