Ma Once Again Earns a Tryout

Swingman Ma Jian, the Clippers’ final cut last season, is back in training camp in Santa Barbara. Ma, attempting to become to the NBA’s first Chinese-born player, cried when he was waived.

“Nobody thought I could make it last year, but I thought I did a pretty good job,” Ma said. “This year I know it’s harder because they’ve got a lot of [players with] guaranteed contracts, but I’m going to try as hard as I can. Last year I was really frustrated after I got cut, but this year I know what pro teams want.”

Does he have a shot at making the opening-night roster?

“I wouldn’t answer that if I knew the answer to it,” Coach Bill Fitch said. “He’s got a tougher road this year because we have more talent.”

Ma, who played at Utah, returned to Salt Lake City for two months after he was cut before leaving for the Philippines, where he played 2 1/2 months for a semi-pro team.

*

The Clippers, who open their exhibition season against the Detroit Pistons Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, scrimmaged, with officials calling fouls and violations, Monday night.