LA Times CLIPPERS REPORT on Q Ross

[dcpony]

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cli ... crosspromo


LA Times
CLIPPERS REPORT
Ross is pretty good at the dirty work
Swingman works to make the most of his limited chances on offense but defense is where he's invaluable to Dunleavy.
By Jonathan Abrams
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

November 13, 2007

Wanted: Guard willing to defend top players with explosive offensive games. Must accept blame if they score a bunch of points. Limited opportunities on offense available.

Few NBA players would be willing to accept that job description.

Once again, Quinton Ross is filling that role for the Clippers.

Ross, a fourth-year player who defied odds to make the NBA after not being drafted out of Southern Methodist University, is the team's defensive specialist.

The key to his game isn't necessarily stopping an opposing team's best player as making that shooter work for his points.

"He's got to be our major focus defensively on individual guys," Coach Mike Dunleavy said. "He's the best guy we have at not necessarily shutting guys down, but making them have to take extra shots to get their numbers."

Ross, 6 feet 6 and 193 pounds, is averaging 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds this season. Dunleavy likes to begin games with a defensive focus, so Ross starts most of them.

But there are times when Ross' offensive capabilities limit his efficiency on that side of the court. Against Cleveland on Sunday, he made one of six shots in 33 minutes.

Over the summer, he worked on his baseline jumper, which Dunleavy hopes he can start making with regularity. "I'm working on that shot a lot and hopefully can hit it throughout the season," Ross said.

He regularly guards such players as Kobe Bryant and Tracy McGrady and as he did for stretches against the Cavaliers, LeBron James.

"It's a tough job. You just go out there and play hard and make them work. Those are such great players, you are not going to stop them. You just want to try to get them to take extra shots," Ross said.

Ross is quiet, but with enough of a personality to regularly battle Sam Cassell in one-on-one games in practice and enough of a prankster to tease members of the Clippers' staff when their colleges lose a football game.

He is making $826,000 and is one of several Clippers capable of becoming a free agent at the end of it.

He said he isn't looking that far ahead. "I don't really think about it," Ross said. "I just go out there and play. Whatever happens, happens."

Cassell and Chris Kaman participated in limited practice drills after playing extended minutes in the loss to Cleveland. . . . Guillermo Diaz, waived shortly before the season started, is playing with the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Development League. . . . Corey Maggette turned 28 Monday.

[Pony_Fan]

Decent paycheck.

I didn't think of him as much of a defensive stopper at SMU but I loved his quiet nature and work ethic. He just went out there and played.

[OR-See-Nee]

Congratulations to him. A great story of a young man who works hard.

[KnuckleStang]

The most complete player we've had in the last 15 yrs. Who was better in that period

[PonyTales]

In that period? Nobody. Not even close. The Q is the living example of the guys who make it because of hard work. He has talent, but more than that, he has unmatched work ethic. Here's hoping he hits the lottery with his next contract (whether with L.A. or someone else).

[ponyboy]

An argument can easily be made that Sasser was better.

[KnuckleStang]

Sasser did not play defense as well as Q, nor pass the ball. He was not better.

[ponyboy]

I hear you, but Sasser WAS all conference all four of his years here, WAC freshman of the year in 98, WAC player of the year in 99, and drafted in the NBA first round. The argument can be made.

[MustangStealth]

Sasser did not play defense as well as Q, nor pass the ball. He was not better.

I'd say Sasser had more raw talent. Q works a lot harder though, and that's why he has made it.

[ponyboy]

He was a nice, reliable player at SMU, but I don't believe anyone on here could have predicted Q's staying power in the NBA. Great story.