Shooting, Passing Become Specialties

Through their first 12 games the Clippers led the NBA in shooting percentage and assists, a dramatic improvement from last season.

“We’ve bought into [a team concept] so far,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said before Friday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. “We have done a better job of taking good shots and we’ve tried to move the ball to the open man to give everybody a chance....

“It’s unselfishness, but it’s better recognition too. We spend a lot of time using film, not so much to call on somebody to embarrass them but to use it as a teaching point ... and I think our guys are doing a pretty good job of learning.”

Led by Bobby Simmons, who ranked among the league leaders at 55.1%, the Clippers had made 47.9% of their shots before Friday. Chris Wilcox was at 53.4%, Elton Brand at 50.3% and backup center Mikki Moore at 59.3%, though Moore hadn’t attempted enough shots to rank among the league leaders. The Clippers had averaged 24.2 assists, with Marko Jaric averaging a team-high 5.3.

Last season, the Clippers ranked 24th in the league in shooting percentage at 42.8% and 21st in assists with an average of 20.2.

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Backup point guard Rick Brunson, who had 16 assists before making a turnover, went into Friday’s game with 24 assists and only two turnovers.

“He’s been great,” Dunleavy said of the 32-year-old journeyman. “Rick’s a very smart kid who does what you ask him to do. I think he understands that that’s his value. He may have certain limitations, but the longer you stay in the league the better idea you have of what they are and you play to your strengths.”