UCLA Basketball: Bruins in the NBA

Last night's Lakers-Clippers game was a hometown affair in more than one way -- it pitted former UCLA stars Baron Davis and Jordan Farmar against each other.

Davis and Farmar are among 14 Bruin alumni currently playing in the NBA. Trevor Ariza was also in action on opening night Tuesday, recording 12 points, three rebounds and two assists in the Houston Rockets' 96-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The other former Bruins in the pros are Arron Afflalo (Denver Nuggets), Matt Barnes (Orlando Magic), Darren Collison (New Orleans Hornets), Dan Gadzuric (Milwaukee Bucks), Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers), Ryan Hollins (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jason Kapono (Philadelphia 76ers), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (Milwaukee Bucks), Earl Watson (Indiana Pacers) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

Nine of the alumni played for Coach Ben Howland and six were first-round selections.

-- David Wharton

You are fit enough to play for the Clippers if...

That you need to be in outstanding physical condition to play in the NBA is no secret. But should you be at all curious as to what that means in practical terms, Clippers Coach and General Manager Mike Dunleavy laid it out Monday afternoon, speaking at the team's news conference to introduce recently acquired swingman Rasual Butler.

"We do a three-man weave, which is three passes down, three passes back, 10 layups in 60 seconds. You need to do that three times. I know for the last 30 years- I did it as a rookie- that if you can do that, you're in shape," he said. "It's kind of old school. Forget about all the different techniques and apparatuses that you use to do whatever it is you're going to do. Bottom line is it's on that court, and it's running. You do it for time, and if you can get that time done I will bet you you're in shape."

For the record, I cannot do that. I am a shape, but not in shape.

But as long as I can type without panting (Check!) I'm good to go.  For the LAC, the fitness of their team is no small issue. "Last year, I don't think we ever got to it with some of our guys. Period. From the first day of camp on, I don't know if we ever got to that," Dunleavy said. The team was ravaged by injuries before the season started, and things didn't improve from there. Baron Davis played 65 admittedly awful games. Chris Kaman suited up for 31, Marcus Camby 62, Ricky Davis 36. And so on. Not all of that can be attributed to players starting the year out of shape- basketball is a physical, rugged sport wherein players can be injured in myriad ways having nothing to do with fitness- but given the spotty health history of some of the team's big guns they can't afford to give anything away.

That which can be controlled must be.

"Guys," Dunleavy said, "have the onus on them to get it right."

--Brian Kamenetzky

Photo: Mike Dunleavy disagrees with an official's call at the Staples Center on November 29, 2008. Photo credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times.

Mike Dunleavy: Arrival of Rasual Butler gives Clippers 14-man roster he could live with to open 2009-10 season

Their arrival at the Clippers' practice facility in Playa Vista Monday merely served as a brief interruption to their normal routines.

Rasual Butler, acquired last week along with cash in a trade that sent a conditional second-round 2016 draft pick to the New Orleans Hornets, stopped by in his first few days in Los Angeles before pledging he'd resume updating his Twitter account.

"Once I leave here," he said, "I’ll be on there the rest of the day."

Mike Dunleavy, the Clippers' coach and general manager, returned to familiar confines and discussed the latest trade in a busy off-season before stressing he may not be done updating his roster.

"I get up in the morning, read what all you guys have to write, see what information you came up with," Dunleavy said. "Anything that makes sense or potentially makes sense, I go from there with working the phones and trying to generate, whether it’s a fabrication or not, into something that might be workable."

As indicated by Butler's inactive Twitter posts since Monday morning and Dunleavy's acknowledgement he'd be comfortable fielding his current 14-man roster to open the 2009-10 season, both are stepping into a new phase to gear up for training camp.

Clippers involved in four-player trade

The Clippers today acquired Mark Madsen, Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Quentin Richardson.

It was just three weeks ago that the Clippers acquired Richardson from Memphis for Zach Randolph.

Telfair and Smith should help solidify the Clippers' bench. Telfair will be the backup to point guard Baron Davis, and Smith is a capable power forward. How Madsen might fit in is less clear. Madsen and Smith each have contracts that expire after next season.

More information will be available soon on latimes.com/sports.

-- Mike Hiserman

Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky: Allen Iverson to the Clippers? It's a conversation starter.

Allen Iverson could go to the Clippers? Andy and I kicked around the idea this morning via instant message.

Brian: I guess the excitement of the No. 1 pick wasn't enough for the Clippers. Word is that the red, white and blue are interested in bringing in Allen Iverson for a one-year deal worth $5.8 million. But, at least according to Chris Sheridan of ESPN.com, only after they "look him in the eye" and make sure he's cool with coming off the bench. I guess Mike Dunleavy's gonna size him up?

Andrew: Well, as long as they look him in the eye.

Brian: Side eye?

Andrew: What if Iverson's wearing sunglasses? Do they ask him to remove them?

Brian: Are they reflective, or the kind you can see through? That matters. Sometimes sunglasses are more a fashion choice. But those old-school cop glasses have got to go.

Andrew: Does an eye patch throw a wrench into the work?

Brian: Which eye?

Suns' Steve Nash is David Letterman's NBA Finals correspondent

When you don't make the NBA playoffs, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Just ask Shaq, who spent all day Sunday on Twitter before Game 2 of the NBA Finals featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. Now Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash -- and Shaq's teammate -- will cover Game 3 tonight for the Late Show with David Letterman. Nash's report will air on Thursday's show.

Maybe Nash will get a dig on Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who told reporters Sunday that he's turned down offers at one point to coach the U.S. and Canadian Olympic basketball teams.

"I was asked by the Canadians if I'd like to coach their Olympic team," Jackson said, without divulging exactly when that offer was made. "Steve Nash wasn't a mature enough player yet, so I had to turn that one down."

If Nash's appearance with Clippers guard Baron Davis in a video spoofing Step Brothers is of any indication, we should be in for a real treat on Thursday. For any who have missed out, enjoy the video below.

--Mark Medina

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy threatens suspensions

Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy offered a stern warning to players who arrive out of shape at next season's training camp.

"Before media day, before the first day of training camp, we can have guys come in and have to pass a certain test before they're eligible," Dunleavy said. "Or they'll get suspended."

Dunleavy spoke to reporters before the Clippers' season finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and very little of it dealt with the game. It's understandable, considering the Clippers' 19-62 season. Instead, he addressed questions about the NBA draft ("It'll be based on talent") and rebuilding for next season ("As far as I'm concerned, it starts tomorrow"). 

Ted Green: The new Clipper Ripper lets 'em have it

You can tell me he doesn't know if the ball is pumped or stuffed. You can muck up the point of the exercise here with actual historical data, like those three measly playoff appearances in 27 pitiful years. You can even remind me that at one of his Fourth of July beach soirees in Malibu, he once excitedly introduced me to a famous celebrity hairstylist friend of his as "Vital" Sassoon, a vital error in the man's actual first name, long after having made a fortune in hair products.

But I'm still impressed with owner Donald Sterling making a beeline for the Clippers' locker room to tell the guys he isn't going to take their lousy effort lying down.

Even if his team already has.

In his early years as the big Clipper cheese, emis truth, Donald T. wasn't quite sure where the home team locker room was. So finding it without the help of an usher is an improvement right there.

And since it is his team, stuffed or otherwise, the new Clipper Ripper has every right to dress down his sad-sack bunch of low achievers, asking all of the following questions:

• How can a team with Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Zach Randolph, Al Thornton and one of the NBA's top rookies in Eric Gordon have the league's third-worst record with only 15 wins? (Please don't tell me Chris Kaman hurt his foot, I'll laugh and bust my hernia stitches).
• How and why did Baron Davis go from being an elite point guard to now playing more like Gray Davis or Geena Davis?
• If Davis and General Manager-Coach Mike Dunleavy are not on the same page or even reading from the same book, doesn't one or the other have to go?
• And of the 3 billion games the Clippers have lost this season because of some player injury, how many times did one of Donald's guys kinda hide in the training room, deciding that playing through a little pain or discomfort wasn't worth the trouble with the team well down the road to oblivion? In other words, I'm not seeing too many Kobes in Clipperland when it comes to pain threshold.

But oh me, oh my, even if his basketball stewardship is the Hindenburg in high-tops, Donald was right as rain to rip his guys. The last time I saw that many dogs in one place, a Shih Tzu was winning best in show at Westminster.

Why, the Donald's rant was so effective, so right on, the message hit home so directly, the Clippers went out in their very next outing and took a 23-point thumping from the Memphis Grizzlies. At home! To Memphis, a team with their own hound dogs and flea problems. A Grizzly bunch that had won a grand total of three road games all year.

So, yes, as pep talks go, the T man's tirade probably will not be mentioned in the same breath with George Gipp's.

In its own way, though, it does have its place, the first time the Donald went in there and let his guys have it. Telling them to win one for the Clipper.

-- Ted Green

Ted Green is a former sportswriter for the L.A. Times. He currently is senior sports producer for KTLA Prime News, which carries Clippers games on local TV.

Photo: Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling applauds with seconds remaining as his team comes from behind to beat the Sacramento Kings last week at Staples Center. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Some Clipper news from Cleveland

While wondering whether the injured Clippers are going to find time to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum...

The documentary, Crips and Bloods: Made in America will be released soon. The producer is the Clippers' Baron Davis. But there's also a connection to the Hornets' Chris Paul.

Paul has pledged $100 per basket (during certain games) to raise money to ensure that "at-risk youth" can see the documentary. Expect at least eight to 10 other prominent players coming forward to join the fund-raising effort.

The Clippers play the Hornets one more time this season, on April 1 at Staples Center. Just imagine the possible headline if Paul torches the Clips for 30 points: "Baron Loses, He Wins!"

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Baron Davis before an Oct. 22, 2008 game. Credit: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Clippers' Baron Davis is back in action against the Bulls

One member of the Clipper rescue team (though many of the fans I hear from are not in agreement with that description) returned to the lineup on Wednesday night against the Bulls.

That would be Baron Davis, who had yet to play in 2009 because of a bruised tailbone. Davis entered the game during the first quarter .

The thought of Davis returning caused one faithful Clippers fan to be filled with dread. He said as much in an email he sent a few hours ago. I have yet to receive permission to use it, but  let's just say the man is not a BD fan.

Stay tuned.

Marcus Camby, who had been out with a sprained left ankle, also returned to the court during the first quarter.

-- Lisa Dillman

Photo: Baron Davis, during a Dec. 17, 2008 game against the Chicago Bulls. Credit: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images