Los Angeles Clippers centre Chris Kaman eyeing early return
Clippers centre Chris Kaman is eyeing a return to the Los Angeles line-up on Thursday. The 7' centre, who was drafted sixth overall by the Clippers during the 2003 NBA Draft, has been
sidelined since November 9 due to an ankle injury. If Kaman plays in Los Angeles' game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, his return date would be almost a week ahead of schedule.
"I think I'll play Thursday," Kaman told ESPN on Monday night. "Our trainers have done a good job, and I've been doing everything I can to get back."
Early return date still not a certainty
The former Central Michigan University stand-out will attend the team's practices on Tuesday and Wednesday. The next day, Kaman will be re-evaluated.
In an interview with ESPN, Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said, "He thinks that. But we have to see how he does Tuesday and Wednesday, see how his ankle reacts. If we play him Thursday and
it blows up, then he's out again.
"We have to be smart about it. He's a little more optimistic because he wants to get out there," Del Negro added.
Kaman was named to the NBA All-Star team last year after averaging 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks while shooting 49 percent from field goal range. The Clippers finished with a 29-53 record. Last
season, Kaman appeared in 76 games, the most games he had played in a season since 2006-07.
In Kaman's absence, DeAndre Jordan and Brian Cook have received a boost in minutes. When he was on the floor, Kaman struggled to play alongside rookie Blake Griffin. In eight games so far this season,
he is averaging 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks with a 36.4 percent shooting clip from field goal range. The Clippers currently have a 2-13 record after scoring a surprising 99-95 victory against the New Orleans Hornets.
Tags: