Mobley Becomes a Leader Quickly

Cuttino Mobley has talked a lot in training camp, and the Clippers have listened.

The veteran guard emerged as a vocal leader from the outset of practice at Santa Barbara City College, helping the coaching staff and encouraging teammates.

And Mobley, who ranked third in the NBA in three-point shooting accuracy last season, has been as good as advertised at stretching the defense.

“He’s very vocal, very outspoken,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “If he has something to say, he says it, and he doesn’t pull any punches.

“He just looks at himself as a leader. He’s a veteran guy, and that’s his role here.”

That’s fine with Coach Mike Dunleavy.

“He’s very positive with our younger guys,” Dunleavy said. “He’s vocal about getting things done, he’s very competitive, but he understands how to talk to people and how to get a point across in a positive way.

“And at the end of the game, if you’re down two, you can give it to Cat at the three-point line. He can win a game for you there, or he can take you off the dribble, get to the rim or make plays for someone else.”

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Dunleavy also has leaned on veteran point guard Sam Cassell, who wants to coach when he’s finished playing.

“Last year, I don’t think Mike had the personnel where he could just let guys figure things out on their own,” Cassell said. “If a team goes on a 7-0 run, I don’t want Mike to have to call a timeout.

“I want Mike to say, ‘You guys have to figure it out.’ I want him to have that confidence. That’s how you play winning basketball.”

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Forward Corey Maggette, who has been tending to a family medical emergency, is scheduled to arrive in camp today, the Clippers said.