DMN story on Quinton Ross
Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 11:46 pmClips' Ross has come a long way
Kimball, SMU standout goes to Europe to prove his worth to Dunleavy
By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
LOS ANGELES – It is a big-game night for Quinton Ross. He has not been in a pressure-cooker setting like this since the spring of 1999.
"Kimball against Duncanville for the state championship," Ross said. "That was huge."
Kimball and Ross lost the Texas 5A high school title game that night. Seven years later, after taking the long road from Kimball to SMU to Belgium to Los Angeles, Ross gets another chance on a bigger stage.
The Los Angeles Clippers, with Ross playing an increasingly larger role as their best defender and unexpected scorer, will be in Phoenix tonight for Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Suns.
It will be the first Game 7 in the history of the Clippers, who debuted in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves. It will be the second Game 7 in 17 days for the weary Suns.
"It's all happened so fast that I can barely remember what's happened in each game of this series," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "It's all melded into one long game."
The last game should stick out in Nash's memory. Ross, who snuck into the league as an undrafted free agent, roasted Nash, the two-time MVP.
Ross had his way posting up against the defensively challenged Nash and had a career-high 18 points in a 118-106 win Thursday. Ross also helped Nash into another substandard shooting performance: six of 16 from the field.
"To be in this situation is special," Ross said.
After the win, each Clipper made his way over to congratulate the player everyone calls "Stick Man" because of his 6-6, 193-pound frame. Center Chris Kaman hugged Ross. Guard Cuttino Mobley cupped Ross' head and kissed his forehead.
"People were asking me 'Are you surprised by what Quinton did?' " Clippers captain Elton Brand said. "I'm not surprised at all. I've seen him do that in practice day after day. I'm very proud of him."
That Ross finds himself in this situation is testament to his perseverance and the vision and salesmanship skills of Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.
Ross had four good seasons at SMU, finishing as the No. 4 all-time scorer. As a senior in 2003, he was named Western Athletic Conference player of the year.
That was not quite enough for the NBA. Ross was not drafted, but he did get an invitation to the Clippers' training camp.
Dunleavy liked Ross' defensive skills but could not find a spot for him on the opening-day roster. Following the advice of family and Kimball coach Royce Johnson, Ross accepted the Clippers' suggestion that he continue playing in Belgium.
The plan was the Clippers would monitor Ross' play and try him again before the next season. Ross played so well with Telindus BC Oostende that other NBA teams showed interest.
Dunleavy responded by acting like a college coach, making a recruiting trip to Belgium.
Dunleavy spent time with Ross, reminding Ross that no other NBA coach had bothered to make the trip. Dunleavy promised Ross a role with the Clippers. The offer of a guaranteed contract sweetened the sales pitch.
"I was really worried about not being able to get him," Dunleavy said. "We knew he was our type of player and could fit in with our team. We made a bet on him."
The bet paid off, at a good price.
In two seasons with the Clippers, Ross has been their best defender. Dunleavy uses him against both guard positions and small forwards.
The only rap against Ross is that he is too unselfish. Dunleavy constantly asks him to shoot more to take advantage of what is an unappreciated offensive game. Ross has showed that side against the Suns with 10.1 points per game, more than double his regular-season average.
"I'm trying to change my reputation," Ross said with a grin.
So are the Clippers. For the long-suffering franchise, this makes Kimball-Duncanville look like a warm-up game.
Kimball, SMU standout goes to Europe to prove his worth to Dunleavy
By GERRY FRALEY / The Dallas Morning News
LOS ANGELES – It is a big-game night for Quinton Ross. He has not been in a pressure-cooker setting like this since the spring of 1999.
"Kimball against Duncanville for the state championship," Ross said. "That was huge."
Kimball and Ross lost the Texas 5A high school title game that night. Seven years later, after taking the long road from Kimball to SMU to Belgium to Los Angeles, Ross gets another chance on a bigger stage.
The Los Angeles Clippers, with Ross playing an increasingly larger role as their best defender and unexpected scorer, will be in Phoenix tonight for Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Suns.
It will be the first Game 7 in the history of the Clippers, who debuted in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves. It will be the second Game 7 in 17 days for the weary Suns.
"It's all happened so fast that I can barely remember what's happened in each game of this series," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "It's all melded into one long game."
The last game should stick out in Nash's memory. Ross, who snuck into the league as an undrafted free agent, roasted Nash, the two-time MVP.
Ross had his way posting up against the defensively challenged Nash and had a career-high 18 points in a 118-106 win Thursday. Ross also helped Nash into another substandard shooting performance: six of 16 from the field.
"To be in this situation is special," Ross said.
After the win, each Clipper made his way over to congratulate the player everyone calls "Stick Man" because of his 6-6, 193-pound frame. Center Chris Kaman hugged Ross. Guard Cuttino Mobley cupped Ross' head and kissed his forehead.
"People were asking me 'Are you surprised by what Quinton did?' " Clippers captain Elton Brand said. "I'm not surprised at all. I've seen him do that in practice day after day. I'm very proud of him."
That Ross finds himself in this situation is testament to his perseverance and the vision and salesmanship skills of Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy.
Ross had four good seasons at SMU, finishing as the No. 4 all-time scorer. As a senior in 2003, he was named Western Athletic Conference player of the year.
That was not quite enough for the NBA. Ross was not drafted, but he did get an invitation to the Clippers' training camp.
Dunleavy liked Ross' defensive skills but could not find a spot for him on the opening-day roster. Following the advice of family and Kimball coach Royce Johnson, Ross accepted the Clippers' suggestion that he continue playing in Belgium.
The plan was the Clippers would monitor Ross' play and try him again before the next season. Ross played so well with Telindus BC Oostende that other NBA teams showed interest.
Dunleavy responded by acting like a college coach, making a recruiting trip to Belgium.
Dunleavy spent time with Ross, reminding Ross that no other NBA coach had bothered to make the trip. Dunleavy promised Ross a role with the Clippers. The offer of a guaranteed contract sweetened the sales pitch.
"I was really worried about not being able to get him," Dunleavy said. "We knew he was our type of player and could fit in with our team. We made a bet on him."
The bet paid off, at a good price.
In two seasons with the Clippers, Ross has been their best defender. Dunleavy uses him against both guard positions and small forwards.
The only rap against Ross is that he is too unselfish. Dunleavy constantly asks him to shoot more to take advantage of what is an unappreciated offensive game. Ross has showed that side against the Suns with 10.1 points per game, more than double his regular-season average.
"I'm trying to change my reputation," Ross said with a grin.
So are the Clippers. For the long-suffering franchise, this makes Kimball-Duncanville look like a warm-up game.