Campanelli Says Murray Matured

Former Cal Coach Lou Campanelli, who coached Clipper forward Lamond Murray in college, thinks Murray, shooting a career-best 54.2%, is playing better because he has matured.

“He was really young when he came out of college and he was immature,” said Campanelli, who scouted the Clippers’ 100-92 loss to the Denver Nuggets Sunday for the Cleveland Cavaliers. “I think he’s matured. He’s got a couple of kids.”

Murray, the seventh player picked in the 1994 NBA draft, was 21 when he left Cal at the end of his junior season.

“I know what to do now,” Murray said. “I’m a veteran, so I play like a veteran.”

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Guard Brent Barry, who did not dress for the last three games after bruising his left calf in a 104-92 loss to the New Jersey Nets on Nov. 28, was in uniform but was held out of the game by Coach Bill Fitch, who said Barry is not in game condition.

Fitch plans to see how Barry moves in today’s practice at Dallas before deciding whether to play him Tuesday against the Mavericks.

“He was moving pretty good when I watched him out there today [during warmups],” Fitch said. “But he won’t play until he practices. He’s no different than anybody else.”

Barry, the Clippers’ leading scorer, said it is frustrating sitting out while the team continues to struggle. The Clippers have lost three of four games without Barry.

“It’s still a little sore when I move in certain directions,” Barry said. “We have guys who can get the job done, but I want to get out there and contribute.”