CLIPPERS - LAKERS REPORT

Lamond Murray, who had his own wing in Coach Bill Fitch’s doghouse last season, may be the Clippers’ best player this season.

From the first day of training camp it was apparent that Murray, who reported in the best shape of his career, was finally set to live up to the promise that prompted the Clippers to select him seventh in the 1994 NBA draft.

Murray, the Clippers’ second-leading scorer as a rookie, averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 31.6 minutes and shot 40.2% in 81 games.

But Murray, who was fined and suspended for a game after complaining about Fitch’s inconsistent use of him in his second season, averaged 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds in 17.5 minutes last season. He recorded a career-high eight DNPs last season.

Murray no longer complains to Fitch.

“Why complain, if it’s not going to do me any good?” Murray said. “I just have to go out and play. Whatever happens happens.

“I’m in the rotation and I go out there and do what I’ve got to do with the minutes I’m given. I know how the system works now.

“This is my fourth season and this is his [Fitch’s] fourth season. There never was a big problem between me and him. He does his job and I do my job.”

Murray, who averaged 10.1 points and shot 41.7% in the first three years of his career, is averaging 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and shooting 59.2% this season. He has made 10 of 18 three-point shots, tied for the NBA lead at 55.6%.

Murray, who had a career-high 32 points in Wednesday’s 122-113 loss at Miami, had a team-high 24 points, and nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots in Friday night’s 111-102 double-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls.