Vinny Del Negro not showering Clippers with praise

News flash: Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro won’t be the gushing kind of leader.

Any slathering of praise will have to wait. Faint praise? That’s on deck or perhaps on hoops hold too.

Perhaps an explanation is required. Another long session had finished on Saturday afternoon at the Clippers’ practice facility in Playa Vista and the coach was talking with a couple of reporters for a few minutes.

Question: What’s been the No. 1 positive surprise, so far?

Del Negro didn’t say anything. Seconds ticked off and a suggestion was offered … a player, perhaps?

“Umm, no real positives,” Del Negro said, creating some laughter. “I’m not at the positive stage yet. I’m not there yet.”

Whether he gets there by the opening game — on Wednesday against Portland — remains to be seen. But he was offering the observations in his usual measured tone, not sounding negative. But not sounding positive, and, of course 1-7 in preseason could be a factor here.

“I see some things once in a while,” Del Negro said. “I’m like, ‘That was good. That makes sense.’ On a consistent basis, the positive responses are going to have to wait.”

The first nine games of the Clippers’ schedule feature playoff teams from last season with the exception of two games: Golden State on Oct. 29 and New Orleans Nov. 9. Then the schedule turns remarkably less challenging, starting with Detroit on Nov. 12.

“I expect this team to continually grow throughout the year,” Del Negro said. “We have to stick together. We have to mature in some areas, controlling our emotion, understanding the game a bit better.”

Veteran Chris Kaman talked about the difference between Del Negro and predecessor Mike Dunleavy.

“I’m just interested to see how it goes when we get in pressure situations, how he handles it,” Kaman said. “So far, I’m really impressed.

“They are both very smart coaches. They both understand the game, played the game. Mike is quieter about stuff. I think Vinny uses his assistants way more than Mike ever did. Mike was a very proud man, very happy to be in charge to have it the way he liked it because he knew what he was doing.”

Kaman thought one variation is in the way they interact with the players, saying both approaches have benefits.

“I think Vinny’s a little bit younger, as well. Vinny’s a little bit more intense,” Kaman said. “Coach Dunleavy was like more of a thinker, keeps it to himself and then at the right time, says something. Vinny is just, ‘Boom, boom, boom.’ Everything is right on top of everything else. It’s all in your face. And I like that.

“I love it. He walks around the gym talking to each guy. It makes you feel more comfortable with the coach.”

Etc.

Kaman did not practice on Saturday, having suffered a mild left ankle sprain, having stepped on the foot of a teammate in Friday’s scrimmage.

Craig Smith (back) also did not practice, and guard Eric Gordon (sprained ankle) was limited in some of his activities, not scrimmaging. The Clippers are off on Sunday and Del Negro hopes Kaman, Smith and Gordon will be able to practice Monday.

“It’s tough when you’ve got a season right around the corner,” said Kaman, adding that it would have been a challenge to play at all on Saturday.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com