Q&A WITH CLIPPERS COACH MIKE DUNLEAVY

Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy took the time to answer a few questions for the Review-Journal.
Question: As an NBA head coach, what do you look for out of these players? Is it the numbers or the hustle?
Answer: “The numbers don’t matter so much, although if somebody does put up big numbers consistently, it catches your eye. You’re looking for guys who play hard and who have a good basketball I.Q., ones that show you an NBA skill.”
Q: How can a player truly make you notice him?
A: “If you have a transferable NBA skill — rebounding or great defending, shot-blocking or a shooter or playmaker — you have that specialty that makes you stand out. Otherwise, if you really want to be successful in our league, you have to be an all-around player. “
Q: Have you seen any of those guys this year?
A: “Quite honestly, I just wouldn’t say if I did. Once we get a guy signed, then we’ll talk about how much we really like them.”
Q: Do you see a lot of guys struggle with their roles in the Summer League?
A: “In many cases, a guy needs to have a good sense of who he is as a player and do the things that are going to endear him to a team. Certain guys are all-around, big-time players and you expect that from them. Other guys are gonna be roll players and they need to know what that is and act accordingly.”

FAZEKAS ON DUTY

Former UNR forward and three-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Nick Fazekas scored a rather unimpressive 16 points in almost 25 minutes in the Los Angeles Clippers 80-76 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
Fazekas scored deceptively around the basket, working his way into the post with poise. While he didn’t shoot particularly well, he was able to use his leverage on the inside and get within four feet of the basket for easy shots.
That’s something he’s used throughout his career — but now in Las Vegas, he’s trying to supplement his game.
“You’re definitely trying to add to your game, here,” Fazekas said. “You’re trying to develop new things, but you’re also trying to become great at the things you already did well. I’ve had a lot of people tell me throughout my career that great players are made in the offseason.”
That’s not to say he truly loves being here.
Fazekas is at the Summer League at the behest of the Clippers, and he knows it’s his duty.
“You just have to come out here and play well,” he said. “I’ve played OK; played well tonight. You’ve got to play with what your team needs and what your team wants. You’re playing for the team that you’re here with, so you’ve gotta try to please them, but if you get another team that likes you, then it’s that much better.”

NOT QUITE THAT OTHER JORDAN
L.A. rookie forward DeAndre Jordan had a less-than-memorable two-minute stretch late in the Clippers loss.
First, Jordan — the team’s No. 35 pick in the draft after one season at Texas A&M — air-balled a free throw with 3 minutes, 20 seconds left in the game, letting out a very audible, “Oh, sh*t!.”
Next, Jordan was abused on a beautiful alley-oop from New Orleans’ Hilton Armstrong to Julian Wright, who threw down a forceful jam.
Then, to make matters worse, on the very next play, Jordan went up strong to the hoop — only to be soundly rejected by Wright on the other end.
Oh, the tribulations of a soon-to-be 20-year-old rookie.