Barry’s All-Around Game Is Shaping Up

It has been a rocky start for the Clippers but not for Brent Barry. Promising as a rookie but a disappointment last season, he leads the team in scoring (19.8), is tied with Lamond Murray for the lead in rebounds (8.0), tied with James Robinson for the lead in assists (4.5) and tied with Darrick Martin for the lead in steals (1.8).

“The biggest difference in Brent is that he’s in shape now,” said Coach Bill Fitch, who chained Barry to the bench last season.

“He’s healthy. And I think he’s seen enough of himself on film to see his strengths and his weaknesses.

“When you’re hurt [as Barry was during the 1996 preseason] and miss the whole training camp, and you’ve got a guy [Malik Sealy] having a pretty good year ahead of you and the team is trying to get in the playoffs, it’s tough.

“When Lamond was a rookie [in 1995], our only plan was to develop him, just let him play. We weren’t going to make the playoffs.”

The Clippers are in Vancouver on Tuesday and it doesn’t get any easier after that.

They return home for one game, Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks, an early season surprise. Then they head east for four against Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami, return to host Chicago, then play the Lakers at the Forum.