Mobley Says This Is the Start of Something Big

Guard Cuttino Mobley said he wasn’t surprised the Clippers had their best preseason record since the franchise moved from Buffalo, N.Y., in 1978.

Mobley scored 10 points as the Clippers completed a 6-2 exhibition season in Thursday’s 94-92 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics at Staples Center.

Despite the loss of promising second-year point guard Shaun Livingston, sidelined indefinitely because of a back injury, the Clippers are talented enough to start strong in the regular season, Mobley said, and they’re beginning to believe they should compete with the game’s best teams.

“It just takes time,” the seven-year veteran said. “Game after game, you just have to encourage the guys and let them understand that they can do it. You can’t give them a whole bunch at once, so you take baby steps and you build on that.

“I don’t know what their whole thing was here in the past, but they would usually fall mentally for whatever reason. The key is staying consistent, moving the ball, trusting each other and being unselfish.

“It was only the preseason, but we did a lot of good things that help you build confidence. Everybody needs that confidence, and that’s what we’re building now.”

Mobley in July signed a five-year, $42-million contract with the Clippers, who sought to improve their three-point shooting.

The left-hander had the third-highest three-point percentage in the NBA last season, and continued his impressive long-range shooting in the preseason, making 47.8% of his attempts. Along with veteran point guard Sam Cassell, Mobley emerged as an experienced leader for the Clippers.

“We haven’t really had guys like Cat and Sam here in the past, guys who bring that real veteran presence, and it’s great to have that now,” forward Elton Brand said. “They’ve been real positive with everybody and they just want to win. They’ve been through a lot in this league, and we can only benefit from that.”

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Forward Rodney White was waived Friday after practice. With White gone, 7-foot forward/center Boniface Ndong is expected to make the team.