Clippers Open To Keeping Kittles And Jaric

The Los Angeles Clippers will head into the 2005-2006 season with Shaun Livingston penciled in as their starting point guard, but that doesn't mean that Marko Jaric's career in red and blue is over.

"He's a Danny Ainge-type of player. Danny could play [point guard], he could play [shooting guard]," said Mike Dunleavy. He could shoot it. He's active defensively. He's athletic. He does a lot of things. And that's who I think Marko is."

In other Clippers' news, General Manager Elgin Baylor did not rule out re-signing Kerry Kittles, who was limited to 11 games because of a variety of injuries. "It depends on his health," Baylor said of the former New Jersey Net guard, who sat out the last half of the season because of a degenerative disk in his lower back

Via LA Times

Los Angeles Clippers

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Clipps' Simmons Named NBA's Most Improved

Bobby Simmons of the Los Angeles Clippers was named the winner of the 2004-05 NBA Most Improved Player Award, the NBA announced today. The annual award is presented to a player who has made a dramatic improvement from the previous season or seasons.

Simmons is the first Clipper to be honored with the Most Improved Player award since its inception. He also becomes the first player with NBDL (2002-03) experience to be honored with one of the NBA’s annual awards.

Simmons received a total of 384 points, including 59 first-pace votes, from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Miami’s Dwyane Wade finished second with 129 points (15 first-place votes) followed by Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince with 107 points (14 first-place votes). Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third place vote received.

“Bobby plays the game with toughness,” said TNT analyst Doug Collins. “He plays hard. He gives you his best effort all the time. He’s smart. He shoots the ball well and he’s an all-around player.”

A former member of the NBDL’s Mobile Revelers, Simmons is in his fourth NBA season and averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 37.3 minutes per game this season. He improved his scoring average from last season by 8.6 points, his rebounding average by 1.2 rpg. Simmons also increased his field goal percentage to .466 (up from .394 in 2003-04) and three-point field goal percentage to .435 (up from .167 in 2003-04).

He started 74 of the 75 games in which he played for the Clippers this season, leading the team in scoring on 12 occasions, rebounds five times, assists six times and steals 21 times.

A second round selection in the 2001 NBA Draft (42nd pick overall) by the Seattle SuperSonics, Simmons spent two seasons with the Washington Wizards (2001-02 and 2002-03) before signing with the Clippers prior to the 2003-04 season.

Via NBA PR

Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons

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Clippers Will Push Hard To Re-sign Free-Agent Simmons

Bobby Simmons is set to become the NBA's Most Improved Player, which comes at a perfect time for the Clippers' forward, as he is set to become an unrestricted free-agent.

"It's a very high priority, as far as I'm concerned," Coach Mike Dunleavy told a small group of reporters Monday. "I'm hopeful that he's happy here, that he's enjoyed playing with the Clippers and wants to stay."

Simmons was signed by the Clippers to a two-year, $1.575-million contract in 2003.

Via LA Times

Los Angeles Clippers

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