Optimistic to the Core

Skeptics might say they’ve heard it before from Clipper forward Elton Brand, who’s upbeat on the eve of another season.

The acquisition of veteran guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley, the development of second-year guard Shaun Livingston, and Brand’s confidence in the team’s core group have him thinking big.

Qualifying for the playoffs, experiencing postseason success and improving the perception of Donald T. Sterling’s franchise are things the Clippers should soon accomplish, Brand says, and he’s eager to do his part.

As the Clippers prepared to open training camp Tuesday at Santa Barbara City College, Brand’s hopes for the team had never been higher.

“I’ve always been a guy who has been optimistic, especially coming into the season, but this is different,” he said. “Without a doubt, this should be a good team. I definitely think we can change the thought process of the fans, all the people of this town and everywhere.

“We proved we could beat a lot of teams with the nucleus that we had last year. Now, with the additions we made, I don’t feel we should take a back seat to any team in this city or any city.”

The Clippers were the top team at Staples Center last season with a record of 37-45, enough for third in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division, three games ahead of the fourth-place Lakers.

The Clippers split the season series with the Lakers, 2-2, but Brand’s vision of a new hoops hierarchy in L.A. is more about what the Clippers have done recently than what the Lakers haven’t.

“Elton is really excited about the makeup of this team,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “He feels it’s going to be the best year since he’s been associated with the team because we’ve brought in guys with experience.

“They’re good players, and the knowledge and experience the new guys bring to this team is invaluable.”

The Clippers finished last in the NBA in three-point shooting last season, so Baylor addressed that, bringing in Mobley, who ranked third in the NBA.

Mobley signed the richest contract -- $42 million -- in team history for a free agent from outside the organization, and Brand is expecting the Clippers to benefit from Mobley’s work behind the three-point arc and presence in the locker room.

“We were last in three-point field goals, and that makes a big difference in wins and losses,” Brand said. “You don’t have to stay out there shooting them all day, but you do have to hit some. We just didn’t have that threat.

“Now, we have Cuttino Mobley. Percentage-wise, he’s right up there with anybody. He’s a shooter, he gives us that threat out there, and he understands a lot about how to play the game.

“From the first day working out with us, he was making sure guys were in the right spot, doing what they should be doing and voicing his opinions. He wants to be here and help build up this team, which wasn’t the way it was in the past, and that can only help get rid of that stigma.”

Cassell also could contribute to that effort.

Initially grumpy about the August trade that brought him to the Clippers -- without the contract extension he had sought -- from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cassell expressed excitement about his new team after a meeting with Coach Mike Dunleavy, who’s experienced at managing egos.

Cassell, who is outspoken and turns 36 on Nov. 18, had his least productive season in a decade after having been an All-Star in the 2003-04 season. Still, he is considered among the NBA’s top clutch shooters and helped the Houston Rockets win consecutive NBA championships.

That’s the type of experience the Clippers have needed, Brand said.

“Sam Cassell has two rings and Cuttino Mobley has been to the playoffs,” he said. “We didn’t have that before these guys came. We have been so young; you couldn’t really hold anyone accountable because there was a lot we didn’t know.

“We have a lot of guys who just haven’t been there, but the good thing now is that we’re still young and there are veterans who can help lead us. We’re going to have some attention to detail and some accountability, which is what we need.”

For his part, the Clippers’ “Mr. Consistency” reported for informal workouts in great shape, impressing management. Brand has averaged 19.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and two blocked shots in six seasons, and he delivered a familiar performance in 2004-05: 20 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.09 blocks.

Forward Corey Maggette had personal bests with averages of 22.2 points and six rebounds, 7-foot center Chris Kaman made strides in his second year, Baylor said, and many in the organization are encouraged about the progress of Livingston, sidelined 52 games in his rookie season because of knee and shoulder injuries. The 6-foot-7 guard is expected to have a prominent role in the team’s backcourt rotation.

There are depth questions in the front court, though, where 18-year-old rookie forward Yaroslav Korolev might be Maggette’s primary backup. Cassell and Mobley aren’t considered strong individually on defense, and there are some formidable teams in the West.

None of that dampened Brand’s outlook.

“You know it’s never going to be easy, but I’m very excited about this year,” Brand said, “and I’m happy with where the team is going.”

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Try, try again

The Clippers have failed to make the playoffs during Elton Brand’s first four years with the team, but not from any failing on his part. The following are the Clippers’ record and games out of the playoffs the last four seasons, and Brand’s statistics:

*--* CLIPPERS’ RECORD BRAND’S AVERAGES Year W L Pct. GB PPG RPG FG% 2001-02 39 43 476 5 18.2 11.6 527 2002-03 27 55 329 17 18.5 11.3 502 2003-04 28 54 341 15 20.0 10.3 493 2004-05 37 45 451 8 20.0 9.5 503

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