Starters Get Chance to Blend With Maggette

Forward Corey Maggette, who had been dealing with a family matter, arrives at camp today to allow the Clippers’ revamped starting unit to work together for the first time.

Starters Elton Brand and 7-foot center Chris Kaman have already become more comfortable with newcomer guards Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley during two-a-day training camp sessions at Santa Barbara City College, and Coach Mike Dunleavy is eager to have Maggette join them.

Helping Maggette to find his comfort zone figures to provide some interesting moments.

Brand is the first option on offense. Not only is Maggette, who established personal bests with averages of 22.2 points and six rebounds last season, expected to play a major role, so are Cassell and Mobley.

But are there enough shots to satisfy everyone?

“People are saying, ‘I don’t know how these guys are all going to get shots,’ but it’s not about the amount of shots we all get,” Brand said. “Winning is the only thing that matters, and we have a chance to win, so it’s about utilizing everybody’s talents.”

It’s also about putting the team first, Cassell said.

“Winning is about sacrifice, success is about sacrifice,” said Cassell, who helped the Houston Rockets win consecutive NBA titles in the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons.

Maggette is among the NBA’s most athletic wing players, and his scoring average has increased in each of his six seasons. There are areas, however, where he could improve, Dunleavy said.

“The things we talked about after last season were his ballhandling skills and passing,” Dunleavy said. “Defensively, he has the ability to stop people and has a great body, so it’s a part of his game he needs to focus in on.”

Cassell is ready to work with his new teammate.

“I’m going to welcome him back with open arms, and I’m looking forward to playing with him,” Cassell said. “He’s definitely a big part of our scheme. He definitely will get shots and create shots for others.”