Chris Kaman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Position | Center |
|---|---|
| Height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Team | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Jersey | #35 |
| Born | April 28, 1982 Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Tri-Unity Christian |
| College | Central Michigan |
| Draft | 6th overall, 2003 Los Angeles Clippers |
| Pro career | 2003–present |
Christopher Zane Kaman (born April 28, 1982, in Grand Rapids, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Kaman stands seven feet tall (213 cm) and weighs 265 pounds (120 kg). He was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft by Los Angeles, after a college basketball career at Central Michigan University.
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[edit] Early life
Kaman attended Tri-unity Christian School in Wyoming, Michigan, leading his high school varsity to the state Class D quarterfinals in 2000, before losing to Lenawee Christian School. He went on to play for three seasons at Central Michigan University, leading them to a Mid-American Conference Championship and a NCAA tournament first round win in 2003. He then garnering Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America honors before declaring for the 2003 NBA Draft, where the Clippers selected him sixth overall.
[edit] 2003-2004: Rookie year
In his rookie year, Kaman averaged 6.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, .89 blocks and 22.5 minutes in 82 games played (61 starts). He was the only Clipper to play all 82 games. Kaman became only the second rookie in franchise history (Michael Brooks, 1980-81) to play in all 82 games in his rookie season. Although his Rookie year was all but spectacular, earning only five point-rebound double-doubles, he was ranked second among all rookies in blocked shots per game (.89 bpg), third in field goal percentage (.460) and fourth in rebounds per game (5.6 rpg), Kaman managed to hold a roster spot on the NBA Rookie All-Star Team. He tallied eight points (4-7 FG) and seven rebounds in 19 minutes played for the losing Rookie Team in the 2004 Got Milk? Rookie Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend 2004 in Los Angeles.
[edit] 2004-2006: Improvement
A year after his rookie season, Chris Kaman improved his play by averaging 9.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 25.9 minutes in 63 games (50 starts). He had missed 12 games due to injury, including the first 11 games of the season due to a left ankle sprain. Kaman continued to create milestones in his career as he scored in double-figures in 30 games and recorded four games with 20 or more points. Kaman recorded 14 point-rebound double-doubles and led the team in rebounds in 16 games and in blocks 19 times. Despite the Clippers missing the playoffs again for the eight year in a row since, Kaman continued to show progress in his play.
By the end of the '05-'06 season, Kaman averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game, appearing in 78 games (78 starts). He missed two games with a sprained left ankle (2/27 & 3/1) and one game with a sore left knee (4/16) He had finished the regular season ranking 9th in the NBA in rebounds per game (9.6), 12th in FG% (.523) and 24th in blocks per game (1.38). Kaman recorded 49 games of scoring in double figures with 10 of those games scoring 20 points or more. Kaman also recorded 36 games with 10 or more rebounds. Kaman finished the season with 29 games having points-rebounds double-doubles.
The Clippers achieved their first winning record in 14 seasons and clinched their first playoff spot since 1997. By the end of the season, the Clippers finished sixth in the Western Conference, with a record of 47-35 (their best finish since the team left Buffalo), set to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round. During the series against Denver, opposing player Reggie Evans reached in and pulled at Kaman's testicles after boxing out for a rebound.[1] Evans was later fined $10,000 for his actions.[2]
[edit] 2006-2007: Decline
Since his rookie season, Kaman had raised his points and rebounds averages ever since he came into the league. Thus 2006-2007, especially after a strong playoff run, was supposed to be a season of high expectations. However, Kaman only managed to average 10.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 29 minutes per game, appearing in 75 games. One possible explanation was that Kaman had been slowed down by a hamstring injury in training camp, limiting his mobility. This had resulted in a difficulty to get into a game rhythm and contribute offensively. The Clippers finished the season 40-42, missing the playoffs to the Golden State Warriors by one game. With a newly signed $50,000,000 contract, Kaman had not lived up to the expectations of the Clippers.
[edit] 2007-2008: Breakout season
With the playoffs missed by a sliver, as well as both teammates Shaun Livingston and Elton Brand sidelined for the majority and possibly the entirety of the '07-'08 season due to a dislocated knee and ruptured achilles tendon, respectively, the Clippers had very little expectations as competitive as they were two years prior. However, Chris Kaman has proven to be one of the most dominant centers in the NBA, bouncing back from his slump in the '06-'07 season, averaging 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game. He is currently third in rebounds per game behind Dwight Howard and Marcus Camby, and third in blocks behind Marcus Camby and Josh Smith. Kaman is also the 14th most efficient player, and 6th most efficient center in the NBA as of today. With the loss of Elton Brand, Kaman has proven that he can meet the expectations of the NBA. Despite the loss of the season, the emergence acquisition and of rookie Al Thornton in the 2007 NBA Draft as well as the growth of Kaman has put light upon an injury-plagued Clipper team.
[edit] Spokesman for misdiagnoses of ADHD
In January of 2008, Kaman revealed that he was misdiagnosed with Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.[3] Kaman spent much of his childhood on a farm[4][5] and as a child he used to tear shingles off of neighbors' rooftops and misbehave in school. His apparent ADHD affected his play in high school. He took Ritalin to treat the supposed condition, but the drug killed his appetite. Kaman became very skinny as a result. Kaman, diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder at 2½, found out the classification was wrong this summer. Instead, his brain was in overdrive, working too fast. Tim Royer, the neurosurgeon who discovered the misdiagnosis in July, worked on a daily training program with Kaman to slow down his thought process throughout the summer.
[edit] Personal life
Chris' parents are Leroy and Pam Kaman. Kaman is ambidextrous and is known for his strong Christian beliefs and for his wild blond hair (during the 2006-07 season he adopted a much shorter hairstyle).
[edit] References
- ^ ESPN - Kaman: Evans pulled testicles, prompting outburst - NBA
- ^ ESPN - Evans fined $10,000, assessed flagrant foul - NBA
- ^ http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-cliprep14jan14,1,5750287.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-sports
- ^ http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20060424-124323-9395r.htm
- ^ NBA-Topcenter Kaman: "Habe schon darüber nachgedacht, für Deutschland zu spielen" - Sport - SPIEGEL ONLINE - Nachrichten
[edit] External links
- Chris Kaman Info Page at NBA.com
- Chris Kaman Pictures
- Basketball-Reference.com Profile of Chris Kaman
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