Gentry Still Not Set on Rotation

There was a final preliminary Tuesday for the Clippers and then it was off to the desert today for five more days of intense work at the College of the Desert. A 105-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center mercifully ended the exhibition season for the Clippers.

However, there remains much to be determined by upcoming workouts, which probably include two-a-days Thursday and Friday. The final days of training camp could be the most intriguing.

“It’s still not set,� said Coach Alvin Gentry, referring to the starting lineup and his top reserves. “There are guys who are still so close to each other. So, it’s back to the desert, where we’ll have four or five days of practices and then we’ll have to make some decisions.�

The logical guess is that the front line is set with Elton Brand, Lamar Odom and Michael Olowokandi.

The starting backcourt appears less certain, although Jeff McInnis is likely to start at point guard. Shooting guard remains hotly contested, with Erik Piatkowski, Corey Maggette and Quentin Richardson battling.

Brand, Odom, Olowokandi, McInnis and Piatkowski started Tuesday against the Suns.

Gentry expects to give Darius Miles, whose exact position remains undefined, plenty of playing time this season. Gentry also is uncertain whether he’ll use Brand, a power forward, as a backup to Olowokandi on occasion. In exhibitions, Sean Rooks has been an effective backup to Olowokandi.

“I’m still open for anything,� Gentry said. “I’m still open for starting combinations.�

Opening night is Oct. 30 against the Spurs at San Antonio. NBA teams have until Monday to set their opening-night rosters.

“You always learn stuff about players,� Gentry said. “We’re going to have to make some decisions on guys. Even if we don’t do it immediately, we’ve still got to do it.�

*

Seven exhibitions did little to change Gentry’s opinion of his team.

“When we shoot well, we’re pretty good,� he said. “When we don’t shoot well, we stink. It’s not complicated. It’s pretty simple, really.�

Anything else?

“I also found out we’ve got to have some improvement in our rebounding,� he said.

Gentry still frets that the Clippers aren’t determined enough when it comes to boxing out and going after defensive rebounds.

If the Clippers rebound well, then they can fastbreak at will, which will please Gentry.

*

Maggette, listed as probable to play against the Suns because of a sprained left ankle, entered the game midway through the second quarter.... Charlie Bell (ankle) and Dan Majerle (broken finger) did not play for the Suns.