Brand Pursues Next Level

Don’t make a fuss about Clipper forward Elton Brand’s impressive physique.

“I’m a professional athlete,” Brand said. “I’m supposed to be in shape.”

And Brand is in peak condition, having added muscle to his 6-foot-8, 254-pound frame while working with team trainers in the off-season.

“I don’t care what a guy looks like,” said Brand, listed at 272 pounds last season. “If he looks like a ‘Mr. Olympia’ or a ‘Mr. America,’ but he gets on the court and can’t make a layup, then what does it really matter? How does that help the team?

“I want to keep getting better. I want to keep finding new ways to help the team.”

Brand has averaged 19.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and two blocked shots in his career -- and produced 20 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.09 blocked shots in 81 games last season. However, he wants to climb higher, hoping the Clippers qualify for a postseason berth for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

At a dinner meeting after last season, Brand sought Coach Mike Dunleavy’s insight and told him he wanted to put more on his shoulders.

“He rattled off about three or four games [last season] when he made mistakes that were costly to us that I had forgotten about a long time ago,” Dunleavy said. “He said, ‘I’m trying to get to the point where I’m the guy who doesn’t make mistakes, and then I have the right to be more vocal.’

“It’s a great attitude and a great statement by him from the standpoint of understanding about leadership. He had already been in the gym, just about every single day, getting in shape.”

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Second-year guard Shaun Livingston has been limited to running and shooting drills at Santa Barbara City College because of a lower back sprain.

The 6-foot-7 Livingston, sidelined 52 games in his rookie season because of knee and shoulder injuries, suffered the injury during informal workouts at the Spectrum health club in El Segundo.

“He went up for a layup and landed just a little bit funny,” Dunleavy said. “He’s got plenty of time to get contact before the season and be ready.”

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Tickets for the regular season go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. at Staples Center and Ticketmaster outlets. They’re also available at clippers.com, ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-4NBA-TIX.

Clipper starting forward Corey Maggette, who’s been dealing with a family matter, is scheduled to arrive in Santa Barbara today and practice Saturday.