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Date Posted: 09:15:14 03/27/02 Wed
Author: Jon Ralston
Subject: Olowakandi Article

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Originally Published Wednesday, March 27, 2002
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Center of higher learning

By Rick Brewer

Record Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO -- In the NBA, the learning curve is a circle. It never stops.

Just ask Michael Olowokandi. The fourth-year center from University of the Pacific is playing, by far, the best basketball of his young career for the Los Angeles Clippers. But he still has things to learn to improve his game, he said Tuesday at ARCO Arena before playing the Sacramento Kings.

In a few weeks, he'll learn the whims of professional sports.

Olowokandi scored 23 points and had 10 rebounds in the Kings' 107-90 win. Playing the most inspired ball of any L.A. starter, he was called for a technical foul in the middle of the third quarter after falling on Kings rookie Gerald Wallace. He was bothered by pesky guard Bobby Jackson and made a hard foul on Scot Pollard in an all-around performance 55 miles from where he learned the game seven years ago.

Since mid-January, two weeks before the All-Star break, Olowokandi has improved in all statistical categories. He's now averaging 10 points per game for the first time in his career, and his nine rebounds rank 14th in the NBA. Among his 11 double-doubles this season, six have come since Feb. 3 at Boston when his 27-point, 15-rebound performance began a string of strong outings.

Since, he's had games with 30 points, 16 rebounds (Chicago, March 6), 22 and 11 (Washington, March 13), 26 and 11 (Houston, March 18) and 26 and 17 (San Antonio, Monday). "The numbers speak for themselves," Olowokandi said. "I'm definitely playing a lot better."

"It's hard to know exactly when the light goes on with big guys," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said. "That's why you never give up on them."

Olowokandi started strongly in the nationally televised game. He scored 12 points, pulled down five rebounds and blocked two shots in the first quarter. He made a turn-around eight-footer for the Clippers' first basket, and a left-handed floater along the baseline over Vlade Divac before resorting to his truest offensive strength.

Olowokandi has developed a right-handed baseline hook from about 10 feet -- the same spot Chris Weber missed from in crunch time against the Lakers on Sunday -- that has become his trademark, almost uncontestable shot. His extension and quickness getting up on that hook make it nearly impossible to guard.

"I'm really just playing with a lot more confidence. I'm staying out there on the court more, and my knowledge of the game is still growing," Olowokandi said. "But there's still a lot physically I can do to improve. I'm still not close to the player I can become."

He's finally getting more of an opportunity. Although he had three first-half fouls and the tech, Olowokandi has figured out how to remain in games. He logged 46 minutes against the Spurs, necessitating a lengthy electromagnetic stimulus therapy session on his knees 90 minutes before tipoff. He calls it "stim."

Tuesday, Olowokandi didn't back down from Divac and Pollard on the low block, yet was given some freedom to be physical. Most surprisingly, Olowokandi wasn't called for an offensive foul when Divac flopped against him midway through the first period.

That's a non-call he certainly wouldn't have received last season.

"I still think there's a transition period (between me and the officials). I still haven't gotten over the hump as far as they're concerned," he said.

Olowokandi's next transition occurs this summer. His contract ends, and he wants the maximum seven-year deal. But Clippers owner Donald Sterling is notoriously stingy, and may be unwilling to pay Olowokandi top dollar. The Bulls are another team in need of a proven center, and may look to sign Olowokandi in free agency.

"I'm trying not to concentrate on it," he said. "But, to be honest, I think about the contract situation every now and then."

His druthers would be to remain in Los Angeles, where the Clippers are the next coming of the Kings, three years removed. With a bevy of young, athletic talent who have gelled in the past two seasons to become a playoff contender in the rough Western Conference, Olowokandi should fit right in the low post.

"I knew he was going to be our guy when I first got here," Gentry said. "The process to get him to this point has been painful at times, but most processes of this sort are hard to get through. Now, the results are speaking for themselves."

* To reach reporter Rick Brewer, call 546-8292 or e-mail rbrewer@recordnet.com

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