Chris Kaman Hopes to Play at All-Star Level Again With the Lakers

No one expects much out of Chris Kaman now that he’s been brought in by the Los Angeles Lakers to replace Dwight Howard. Well, no one but Kaman, that is. The big fella hopes to regain his All-Star form next season. Per the LA Times: “Kaman, 31, will evoke laughs from reporters and fans next season after signing a one-year, $3.2-million deal to join the Lakers. But can the former Clipper still play? He was decent two years ago for New Orleans, averaging 13.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, but fell statistically last season with Dallas, averaging 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Kaman battled injuries, including a 10-game absence because of a concussion, and came off the Mavericks’ bench for 52 of 66 games. He made his only All-Star team in 2010, averaging 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds that season for the Clippers, and hopes to climb back to that statistical altitude. ‘I feel confident that I can be at that level,’ Kaman said. ‘Whether I’m an All-Star or not, I can’t say.’ After spending so many years in the same city as Kobe Bryant (eight seasons with the Clippers), Kaman is curious about him. ‘You always hear a lot about how hard he works,’ Kaman said. ‘Watching Dirk [Nowitzki] this last year was impressive to me, what he goes through and the things he does. I want to see what the big deal is. His mentality is much different than most players and that’s why he’s where he’s at.’ Kaman represents the Lakers’ entire ‘mini’ mid-level exception, their lone free-agent signing impact after Howard bolted for Houston. ‘We think he’s going to fit in,’ Kupchak said. ‘We’re very pleased to have him.'”