Brand Back, Livingston & Rebraca Still Out OC Register LOS ANGELES ? Clippers forward Elton Brand will play his first minutes of the exhibition season tonight when the Clippers take on the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland. Brand missed the previous two games because of a left- thigh contusion. Brand is ready, but backup center Zeljko Rebraca (left- knee tendinitis) and point guard Shaun Livingston (strained lower back) are out. Starting center Chris Kaman is questionable because of a jammed left thumb. X-rays taken on the thumb did not reveal a serious injury, but Kaman said he still has pain, and if it persists, he would request an MRI exam. One of the key jobs that remains open is the backup to starting small forward Corey Maggette. In competition are rookie free-agent James Singleton, veteran free-agent Rodney White and the Clippers' top draft pick, 18-year old Yaroslav Korolev Veteran forward Walter McCarty, who is assured of a roster spot, primarily is a power forward, but Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said that McCarty also can play the small-forward position. Another option is Quinton Ross, who played both shooting guard and small forward last season as a rookie and has shown marked improvement in his perimeter shooting. Singleton's strengths are his defense and rebounding. White is a scorer, both as a long-range shooter and on post-up moves. Korolev has shown fine passing skills. None has an edge yet, Dunleavy said. Source
Livingston is really upsetting me, I thought he'd be better but his injuries keep nagging him. I hope he's alright though, any news on when he'll be playing again?
