Injured Brand, Kaman to go one-on-one in practice

An injured Elton Brand and an injured Chris Kaman may actually be beneficial for the Clippers.

Huh?

With both players on the mend -- Brand from a ruptured Achilles tendon and Kaman from nerve inflammation in his back -- Coach Mike Dunleavy said the duo would square off in the next couple of practice days to further each other’s rehabilitation.

“Since Kaman is a guy [Brand] can play against, they can really go at each other,” Dunleavy said. “It’s taking [Brand] to the next level. Now he’s got a legit guy to play in the low post and bang against.”

If only it were in a real game. Brand has been sidelined the entire season and Kaman the last eight games and 12 of the last 17.

Without the pair to clog the middle, opponents have regularly taken advantage of the team’s sapped interior.

“Basically what I’ve said right now is, ‘I want to see you guys go at each other, play one-on-one, run full-speed hard sprints, come back and play again,’ ” Dunleavy said. “To do all the stuff they can do at the highest level possible before playing five-on-five and full court. That’s the best I can figure out how to do it.”

Kaman said he could play Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Dunleavy was more cautious, saying Kaman would probably be sidelined another week.

“They just want to make sure I’m healthy for the rest of the year and make sure that I don’t get hurt again, which is understandable,” Kaman said.

As for Brand, it’s still a wait-and-see process. He worked out on the court and took shots before Saturday’s game and afterward lifted weights.

He has Kaman’s vote.

“He looks real good,” Kaman said. “I think he can play now, but that’s just my opinion. Maybe not at full speed, but he can give us some minutes.”

------

The Trail Blazers appear to be parting ways with former Clipper Darius Miles.

Miles, recovering from microfracture surgery on his right knee, has not played since April 15, 2006. The Trail Blazers petitioned the NBA for an independent doctor to evaluate the injury and determine if Miles would be able to play again.

If the doctor determines he cannot, the Trail Blazers could waive Miles and get the remaining two years and $18 million of his contract off their salary-cap number.

------

During Dunleavy’s pregame news conference, a loud series of yelps from the team’s locker room, adjacent to his office, interrupted the line of questioning.

Had Sam Cassell suddenly returned?

Nope. It was Brevin Knight just showing his loyalty to Stanford after watching Brook Lopez make an overtime shot against Marquette to send the Cardinal into the Sweet 16.

--

[email protected]