Vrankovic Off to Good Start

The development of fourth-year center Stojko Vrankovic, who was obtained from Minnesota for Stanley Roberts in a trade in June, is among the keys to the Clippers’ season.

One game does not a season make, but Coach Bill Fitch was impressed by Vrankovic’s performance in Friday night’s season-opening, 110-100 loss at Phoenix. Vrankovic, 7 feet 2 and 260 pounds, grabbed 10 rebounds in 26 minutes, sharing the team lead with forward Loy Vaught.

Vrankovic scored eight points and, for one game at least, provided the defensive presence the Clippers desperately need, blocking two shots and altering others. And though Vrankovic isn’t an agile big guy, he often kept pace in the up-tempo game.

“Stojko played very well,” Fitch said. “He did well on the boards, which I guess is to be expected when he’s playing against smaller people.

“But he had games in the past where he got in foul problems against smaller lineups. So for a first game, I thought he did well.”

Vrankovic agreed with his coach.

“I felt it was a pretty good start,” Vrankovic said. “I made some mistakes, but I felt strong.”

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Rookie forward Maurice Taylor, the Clippers’ first-round draft pick, played two minutes against the Suns, attempting one shot and failing to score.

Though it wasn’t a debut for the ages, Taylor said he felt good about his introduction to the NBA.

“The preseason helped me get ready for the first game, but I still was nervous,” said Taylor, a standout at Michigan. “It’s not the same thing in the preseason, so you need that first game to get rid of some of the nervousness you have.”

Fitch pulled Taylor aside during the game to offer advice and encouragement, which Taylor appreciated.

“That meant a lot to me,” Taylor said. “He just told me that my time would come, that I just needed to be patient. I’m a rookie, so I just have to wait my turn here.”

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Swingman Eric Piatkowski missed his second game because of what is believed to be an inner-ear virus, similar to one he had last season.

Piatkowski has been taking medication since Friday and was not with the team Saturday night. Piatkowski will be examined by an ear-nose-and-throat specialist on Monday, Fitch said.