Kaman looks to bounce back

SANTA BARBARA -- Sure, Chris Kaman suited up in Las Vegas this year. Just not in the fashion many in the Clippers’ organization anticipated.

Although many predicted a Sin City All-Star trip for Kaman on the heels of a breakout 2005-06, he struggled to find his groove last season.

Instead, Kaman, going into the first year of his five-year, $52.5-million contract extension, finally made it to Nevada and played in the Vegas Summer League, mixing it up among fringe players, NBA dreamers and professional long shots.

“Hopefully it will help me,” said Kaman, who has shed about 20 pounds off his 7-foot frame. “I just know I want to get better at basketball and I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

Kaman averaged 10.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and shot a career-low 45.1% from the field last season. The tally follows a season in which he set career highs, scoring 11.9 points and grabbing 9.6 rebounds while making 52.3% of his shots.

So, the organization knows the type of player Kaman can be, which is what made last season all the more frustrating.

“He is our best low-post player now that [Elton] Brand is out,” General Manager Elgin Baylor said. “And he’s going to get more touches and more opportunities. He has to stay focused this year because we are going to depend a lot on him.”

Kaman sat out the first two days of training camp because of stiffness in his lower back, but was expected to return soon.

After last season, Coach Mike Dunleavy approached Kaman about improving his decision making and confidence.

Kaman, who regularly works hard on his game each summer, then returned to California, working out frequently on his hook and bank shots and shooting facing the basket.

And don’t call him Eric Piatkowski yet, but he also drifted to the outside and worked on launching three-point baskets.

Similar to a pitcher who mows down his competition the first go-around but gets battered after hitters solve him, opponents had another year to figure out Kaman last season.

They noticed his propensity to dribble the ball in traffic and regularly annoyed him with double teams. It’s those kinds of situations when the team wants Kaman to make better choices and stay focused.

“When his offensive game goes, he sometimes lets that affect his defense,” said assistant coach Kim Hughes, who worked with Kaman in the off-season. “If he misses a shot, he needs to let it go and not focus on it.”

This season will be Kaman’s answer to the league’s adjustments.

“You always have a chance to improve on your game and improve on any mistake you made,” Kaman said. “That’s what I love about basketball.”

The Clippers signed point guard Dan Dickau to a contract. Dickau is expected to add depth to the position behind Sam Cassell and Brevin Knight. . . . Cuttino Mobley, out because of a strained calf, practiced stationary shooting Wednesday.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com