Richardson Seems Ready for a Rebirth

PALM DESERT —  It wouldn’t be difficult to imagine Pooh Richardson just going through the motions at the Clipper training camp. After all, the 10-year NBA veteran point guard has been with the team the longest but has seen his role diminished considerably in recent years.

He could have taken it personally when the Clippers shopped for a point guard during the lockout. Then, after the team re-signed Darrick Martin and inserted him as a starter the day camp opened, Richardson could have taken a nonchalant attitude and waited for the checks from his multimillion contract to start rolling in again.

But that hasn’t been the case for Richardson, who has pushed Martin in their quest to understand Coach Chris Ford’s schemes. Richardson has been a quiet behind-the-scenes leader and a hard worker at every practice at College of the Desert.

Richardson, who averaged a career-low 4.2 points last season, also appears to have regained his shooting touch, which had disappeared the last two seasons.

“Minute-wise, [Richardson’s] have been going down and I’m sure that he wants to get more [playing time],” said Ford, who put his team through the most full-court scrimmaging of training camp at Sunday’s morning practice. “He’s seen the opportunity here where he can get some more minutes. I’m sure it’s encouraging for him right now.”

Richardson, who will turn 33 in May, credits Ford’s approach for getting the entire team enthusiastic about shedding the Clippers’ losing image. Under former coach Bill Fitch the last four seasons, team harmony was not something the Clippers were known for around the league.

When asked how he would rate the team’s attitude under Ford compared to last season on a scale of one to 10, Richardson quickly responded: “Ten. There’s a 500% different feel. Totally different. The guys on the team want to work for him. They want to do what he wants.”

Maurice Taylor sat out the night practice because of a thigh strain.