Players Have Bought Into Dunleavy Way

Although they don’t always win, the Clippers say they’re always well-prepared because of Coach Mike Dunleavy.

The Clippers’ record has improved each season under the hands-on coach, who in his third season has led them to their first playoff series victory in 30 years. The Clippers are in the Western Conference semifinals for the first time, and Dunleavy has encouraged them to think big.

“It all starts with Coach Dunleavy,” center Chris Kaman said. “He’s made great changes in the organization, he’s made the right moves to get the right players, and you can see it.

“After three years of getting the right personnel, we’re finally getting to where we need to be. We still have a little ways to go, I don’t think we’re quite where we need to be yet, but you can see it happening.”

Dunleavy has had a major role in player-personnel decisions while working closely with General Manager Elgin Baylor, who acquired power forward Elton Brand from the Chicago Bulls and drafted Kaman before Dunleavy joined the team.

Dunleavy -- the NBA’s 1999 coach of the year while with the Portland Trail Blazers -- is good with Xs and O’s, players said, and especially adept at formulating game plans.

“Mike Dunleavy is a hell of a coach, man, a hell of a coach,” point guard and co-captain Sam Cassell said. “Mike always comes up with a good game plan ... no question about it.

“Mike gives me the game plan, and it’s my job to get my guys to go out and do it, but we get what we need from him. We just have to go get it done.”

Cassell, who wants to become a coach, has learned from Dunleavy.

“Before the season, I said to Mike, ‘When you watch the games, tell me what you look at, because I want to know what you see,’ ” Cassell said. “Now, when I watch games, I have a different perspective.

“And Mike does it all. He gives us our scouting report, he goes over the game plan ... he puts in the work. All head coaches don’t do that. Yeah, Mike is hands-on, but evidently it works for him.”

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Sixth man Corey Maggette had a strong performance on offense in the first round against the Denver Nuggets.

Maggette was second on the team in scoring behind Brand, averaging 17 points in only 21 minutes.

Moreover, Maggette shot 46.4% from the field, 40% on three-point attempts and 87.9% at the free-throw line while finally embracing the key reserve role.

“I’m just trying to block everything else out and do what I do,” Maggette said. “We’re in the playoffs and we’re winning, and that’s all that matters.”