Vaught Upbeat as Season Opens

Clipper forward Loy Vaught is in his eighth season, so he’s used to the fanfare surrounding the season’s start. But Vaught said he still gets excited when it’s finally time to get started.

“Each one is different and exciting in its own way,” Vaught said. “This year, we have a lot of new faces in [the locker room].

“We made a lot of changes over the summer and I think everyone is looking forward to working together. I’m real excited to get out there with my new teammates and see what we can do.”

Vaught acknowledges he’s the foundation of an inexperienced team. Despite his status as the Clipper elder statesman, Vaught said he doesn’t feel added pressure.

“We have a lot of young, inexperienced guys, but I leave the teaching and that stuff to Coach [Bill] Fitch,” Vaught said. “I just have to keep on playing the game the way I always have. That’s how I can help the team.”

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Guard Brent Barry, in his third season, is approaching his new status as a starter cautiously.

“This isn’t about me, it’s about the team getting out there and finding out about ourselves,” Barry said. “I don’t have to be the leading scorer, or the leading rebounder, or lead the team in assists.

“I just have to go out there and hopefully play well. That’s the way I’m looking at this.”

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Rookie center Keith Closs, disciplined after his unexcused absence from practice this week, was in uniform Friday night but didn’t play.

Fitch said Closs wasn’t being punished. “He was disciplined and then it was over,” Fitch said. “If he goes on to play 15 years without another problem, then this was good for him.”

TONIGHT

vs. Portland

7:30 p.m.

Fox Sports West 2

Site--Sports Arena.

Radio--KEZY-FM (95.9), LITE-FM (92.7).

Record--Trail Blazers 0-1, Clippers 0-1.

Record vs. Trail Blazers (1996-97)--0-4.

Update--Clipper swingman Eric Piatkowski, who didn’t play in the opener at Phoenix, is scheduled to be examined today by an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. The Clippers believe Piatkowski is suffering from an inner ear infection similar to one he had last season. Piatkowski became dizzy after the team plane landed in Phoenix on Thursday and he had trouble walking before Friday’s game, Coach Bill Fitch said. Trail Blazer guard Isaiah Rider will miss tonight’s game, the last of his league-mandated, two-game suspension for improper off-the-court behavior. Before the season, he pleaded no-contest to possession of illegal cellular phones in California and was convicted of possession of marijuana in Oregon. The Trail Blazers are also out three injured players--forwards Gary Trent and Dontonio Wingfield, and center Alton Lister.