--Sometime soon, at a place yet to be determined, and with individuals yet to be assembled, the Clippers will take a long and hard look at guard Shaun Livingston. Before the Clippers decide whether or not to tender Livingston a $5.8 million qualifying offer to retain his rights, they want to see him in a competitive five-on-five scrimmage.

Once touted to be the Clippers' point guard of the future, the 22-year old Livingston is at a critical juncture of his career. He did not play a single game this season, because he was recuperating from a catastrophic left knee injury that occurred Feb. 26, 2007.

But, that was just the latest and by far, most serious injury that Livingston has suffered since bypassing college and jumping straight from high school to the NBA, in 2004.

In his rookie season, Livingston suffered first a dislocated knee cap and then after returning later in the season, suffered an injury to his shoulder.

Before training camp for his second season, Livingston was inactive due to an off-season back injury that was linked to his weight-training program.

It is paramount for the Clippers that Livingston return to be at least some facsimile of the player that he was projected to be when the organization selected him fourth overall in the 2004 draft. Otherwise, it would mark the second busted lottery pick in two seasons, the other being the selection of forward Yaroslav Korolev in 2005.

--Later than sooner, seems to be the prevailing tune as to when the Clippers' long-awaited private practice site will open in nearby Playa Vista.

The building of the multi-million dollar facility was one of the promises made to Mike Dunleavy, when he became coach of the Clippers in 2003. Since then, there has been delay after delay, even after the ground breaking ceremony finally occurred April 7, 2007.

Dunleavy was told that the facility would be ready in time for the team to use after it returned from the fall training camp in Santa Barbara. Then he was told that it would be ready shortly after the new year. Next, Dunleavy was told that the opening would be in the spring.

Now, the word is the soonest it would be available is in June. Asked if it would be used to conduct workouts for prospect draft picks, Dunleavy said he didn't think so.

The latest delay is believed to be for yet another alteration to the blueprint. An observation platform is to be constructed for view of the practice court.

With so much money, time and delay associated with the construction of the practice site, it is likely that the Clippers will not return to Santa Barbara, where they have conducted training camp the past four years. Instead, they will practice at their private practice facility.

That is, if it is ready in time.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"Shane definitely should be the defensive player of the year. At least he should be on the all-defensive team. He's the best one-on-one defender in the league." --Clippers forward Elton Brand, discussing his former Duke teammate and current Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier.

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