Vinny Del Negro thinks Clippers will win more games than Lakers

When a reporter asked Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro whether he thought his team would win more games than the Lakers after their commanding victory in Monday's exhibition, he said, "I felt that way before the game."

That's not necessarily a reflection of how he views the Lakers. Del Negro acknowledged that "whenever you have Kobe [Bryant], you're going to have trouble."

It's more of a commentary on his team.

Del Negro said that after Monday's 114-95 win, the Clippers came to practice the following day concentrating on everything they did wrong, not gloating over their exhibition rout of the 16-time NBA champions.

"I liked the intensity in terms of we have to get better at this," he said. "We drilled a lot of things that bothered me and bothered the team. We're just trying to work on those things every day."

Even though Del Negro seemed confident, he has not forgotten that the Clippers didn't make the playoffs last season and will need time to build on-court chemistry among the returnees and newcomers Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups and Caron Butler.

Before the Clippers' second exhibition game against the Lakers began Wednesday, Del Negro was reminded that people are saying the Clippers could even win a championship this season.

Said Del Negro: "We haven't even won a game yet."

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-- Melissa Rohlin

Photo: Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro speaks with forward Blake Griffin during the team's first practice session on Dec. 9. Credit: Christina House / For The Times