<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MINNEAPOLIS ? Forward Corey Maggette remained sidelined Monday as the Clippers lost the opener of a four-game trip, 93-78, against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. "I was trying to play, I told them it was feeling better," Maggette said of his left hamstring, "but they're just trying to be real cautious. I understand they just want to make sure, but it's getting real close." Maggette, who has sat out the Clippers' first four games because of a hamstring strain, said he doubted he would play Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, but hoped to return for Thursday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "The biggest thing for me is to just go out and do what I can do," said Maggette, who averaged a team-high 22.2 points last season. "I'm going to run the floor, score when I need to score and play hard [defense]. My role is really not going to change. I just have to fit in with everybody else, be confident in what I do and not rush anything." Of course, that's easier said than done. The six-year veteran acknowledged he might be anxious in his first game, considering the Clippers have been building on-court chemistry without him. "The easiest way I can fit in is to just run the floor," Maggette said. "They're not really doing it a lot right now, but that's one of my strengths, so I need to continue to do that from the start." Point guard Sam Cassell recently said the Clippers' offense would improve once Maggette returned because of his key role in the team's fast break. And with Maggette back in the starting lineup, the bench should be improved too, Maggette said. "It'll be big for our team because it'll give us more firepower," he said. "The guys coming off the bench ? they're going to have more confidence." </div> Source
Well, I believe I played very well today in his first game back, or so Im told. I want able to watch the game tonight. Thats good for him, and for the Clippers, that he could make an immediate impact (aka a clipper win, and a 4-1 record). So, for those of you who saw the game, was he "ball-hogging" it at all, or was he a team player, that fit in to the system that got them 3-1? I know all the Maggette haters say he's too selfish, but Im just wondering if that was true tonight. Well, I hope the Clippers continue to win, thats all I need from Maggs
He made a big difference off the bench in last night's game. He sparked the Clippers offense and ended up with 20 points in just 23 minutes. He's the missing dimension of the offense because he is the only player who can slash to the basket. I think CMaggs feels less pressure to hit the 3ball with Cassell and Mobley out there now. So he can go back to doing what he does best, driving and getting to the FT line.
