Chris Kaman
Encyclopedia
Christopher Zane Kaman is an American-German basketball player for the NBA
's Los Angeles Clippers
. Kaman stands 7'0" (2.13 m) and weighs 265 pounds (120 kg). He was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft
by the Clippers, after a college basketball
career at Central Michigan University
.
School in Wyoming, Michigan
, leading his high school varsity to the state Class D quarterfinals in 2000, before losing to Lenawee Christian School. He went on to play for three seasons at Central Michigan University
, leading them to a Mid-American Conference
Championship and a NCAA
tournament first-round win in 2003. He then garnered Associated Press
Honorable Mention All-America honors before declaring for the 2003 NBA Draft, where the Clippers selected him sixth overall.
, 1980–81) to play in all 82 games in his rookie season. Although his rookie year was all but spectacular, earning only five point-rebound double-doubles, he was ranked second among all rookies in blocked shots per game (.89 bpg), third in field goal percentage (.460) and fourth in rebounds per game (5.6 rpg), Kaman managed to hold a roster spot on the NBA Rookie All-Star Team. He tallied eight points (4–7 FG) and seven rebounds in 19 minutes played for the losing Rookie Team in the 2004 Got Milk?
Rookie Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend 2004 in Los Angeles.
By the end of the '05-'06 season, Kaman averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game, appearing in 78 games (78 starts). He missed two games with a sprained left ankle (2/27 and March 1) and one game with a sore left knee (4/16) He finished the regular season ranked 9th in the NBA in rebounds per game (9.6), 12th in FG% (.523) and 24th in blocks per game (1.38). Kaman recorded 49 games of scoring in double figures with 10 of those games scoring 20 points or more. Kaman also recorded 36 games with 10 or more rebounds. Kaman finished the season with 29 games having points-rebounds double-doubles.
The Clippers achieved their first winning record in 14 seasons and clinched their first playoff spot since 1997. By the end of the season, the Clippers finished sixth in the Western Conference, with a record of 47–35 (their best finish since the team left Buffalo), set to face the Denver Nuggets
in the first round. During the series against Denver, opposing player Reggie Evans
reached in and yanked Kaman's testicles after boxing out for a rebound. Evans was later fined $10,000 for his actions.
As of 2009, Kaman is the only remaining player on the Clippers from their 2005-06 roster.
by one game. With a newly signed contract, Kaman had not lived up to the expectations of the Clippers.
and Elton Brand
for the majority of the 2007–08 season due to a dislocated knee and ruptured achilles tendon
, respectively, the Clippers had very little expectations to be as competitive as they were two years prior. However, Kaman emerged as one of the most dominant centers in the NBA, averaging 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. Although he did not play in enough games to qualify for the league's statistical leaders, his rebound and block averages would have both ranked third in the league. Kaman demonstrated his ability to perform without Brand alongside him.
. Kaman spent much of his childhood on a farm and as a child he used to tear shingles off neighbors' rooftops and misbehave in school. His apparent ADHD affected his play in high school. He took Ritalin to treat the supposed condition, but the drug killed his appetite. Kaman became very skinny as a result. Kaman, diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder at 2½, found out the classification was wrong this summer. Instead, his brain was in overdrive, working too fast. Tim Royer, the psychologist
who discovered the misdiagnosis in July, worked on a daily training program with Kaman to slow down his thought process throughout the summer. The treatment is an accepted cognitive behavioral treatment for ADHD.
in the qualifying tournament
leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In his debut with Germany, he posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Cape Verde
. He was chosen the most valuable player by journalists.
Kaman rejoined the German national team for EuroBasket 2011
.
, he acquired German citizenship in July 2008 (due to his great-grandparents being German), to play on the Germany national basketball team
in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
. "I'm proud to be a German, and I always felt kind of like a foreigner in the NBA," he joked with the Los Angeles Times
prior to the Olympics.
Kaman's agent is Rob Pelinka
.
| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 82 || 61 || 22.5 || .460 || .000 || .697 || 5.6 || 1.0 || .3 || .9 || 6.1
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 63 || 50 || 25.9 || .497 || .000 || .661 || 6.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 1.1 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 78 || 78 || 32.8 || .523 || .000 || .770 || 9.6 || 1.0 || .6 || 1.4 || 11.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 75 || 66 || 29.0 || .451 || .000 || .741 || 7.8 || 1.1 || .6 || 1.5 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 56 || 55 || 37.2 || .483 || .000 || .762 || 12.7 || 1.9 || .6 || 2.8 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 31 || 24 || 29.7 || .528 || .000 || .680 || 8.0 || 1.5 || .6 || 1.5 || 12.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 76 || 76 || 34.3 || .490 || .000 || .749 || 9.3 || 1.6 || .5 || 1.2 || 18.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 32 || 15 || 26.2 || .471 || .000 || .754 || 7.0 || 1.4 || .5 || 1.5 || 12.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 493 || 425 || 29.7 || .487 || .000 || .738 || 8.3 || 1.3 || .5 || 1.4 || 11.8
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 10.7 || .500 || .000 || .000 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 4.0
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 11 || 10 || 29.5 || .593 || .000 || .762 || 8.0 || .9 || .4 || .8 || 10.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 11 || 10 || 29.5 || .593 || .000 || .762 || 8.0 || .9 || .4 || .8 || 10.7
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Kaman stands 7'0" (2.13 m) and weighs 265 pounds (120 kg). He was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
by the Clippers, after a college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
career at Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
.
High school and college career
Kaman attended Tri-unity ChristianChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
School in Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
, leading his high school varsity to the state Class D quarterfinals in 2000, before losing to Lenawee Christian School. He went on to play for three seasons at Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
, leading them to a Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
Championship and a NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
tournament first-round win in 2003. He then garnered Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Honorable Mention All-America honors before declaring for the 2003 NBA Draft, where the Clippers selected him sixth overall.
2003–2004: Rookie year
In his rookie year, Kaman averaged 6.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 0.89 blocks and 22.5 minutes in 82 games played (61 starts). He was the only Clipper to play all 82 games. Kaman became only the second rookie in franchise history (Michael BrooksMichael Brooks (basketball)
Michael Anthony Brooks is a retired American professional basketball player. At 6'7", he played as forward.-La Salle:...
, 1980–81) to play in all 82 games in his rookie season. Although his rookie year was all but spectacular, earning only five point-rebound double-doubles, he was ranked second among all rookies in blocked shots per game (.89 bpg), third in field goal percentage (.460) and fourth in rebounds per game (5.6 rpg), Kaman managed to hold a roster spot on the NBA Rookie All-Star Team. He tallied eight points (4–7 FG) and seven rebounds in 19 minutes played for the losing Rookie Team in the 2004 Got Milk?
Got Milk?
Got Milk? is an American advertising campaign encouraging the consumption of cow's milk, which was created by the advertising agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners for the California Milk Processor Board in 1993 and later licensed for use by milk processors and dairy farmers. It has been running...
Rookie Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend 2004 in Los Angeles.
2004–2006: Improvement
A year after his rookie season, Chris Kaman improved his play by averaging 9.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 25.9 minutes in 63 games (50 starts). He had missed 12 games due to injury, including the first 11 games of the season due to a left ankle sprain. Kaman continued to create milestones in his career as he scored in double-figures in 30 games and recorded four games with 20 or more points. Kaman recorded 14 point-rebound double-doubles and led the team in rebounds in 16 games and in blocks 19 times. Despite the Clippers missing the playoffs again for the eighth year in a row, Kaman continued to show progress in his play.By the end of the '05-'06 season, Kaman averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.38 blocks in 32.8 minutes per game, appearing in 78 games (78 starts). He missed two games with a sprained left ankle (2/27 and March 1) and one game with a sore left knee (4/16) He finished the regular season ranked 9th in the NBA in rebounds per game (9.6), 12th in FG% (.523) and 24th in blocks per game (1.38). Kaman recorded 49 games of scoring in double figures with 10 of those games scoring 20 points or more. Kaman also recorded 36 games with 10 or more rebounds. Kaman finished the season with 29 games having points-rebounds double-doubles.
The Clippers achieved their first winning record in 14 seasons and clinched their first playoff spot since 1997. By the end of the season, the Clippers finished sixth in the Western Conference, with a record of 47–35 (their best finish since the team left Buffalo), set to face the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
in the first round. During the series against Denver, opposing player Reggie Evans
Reggie Evans
Reginald Jamaal "Reggie" Evans is an American professional basketball player. The power forward most recently played for the Toronto Raptors of the NBA...
reached in and yanked Kaman's testicles after boxing out for a rebound. Evans was later fined $10,000 for his actions.
As of 2009, Kaman is the only remaining player on the Clippers from their 2005-06 roster.
2006–2007: Decline
Since his rookie season, Kaman had raised his points and rebounds averages ever since he came into the league. Thus 2006–2007, especially after a strong playoff run, was supposed to be a season of high expectations. However, Kaman only managed to average 10.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 29 minutes per game, appearing in 75 games. One possible explanation was that Kaman had been slowed down by a hamstring injury in training camp, limiting his mobility. This had resulted in a difficulty to get into a game rhythm and contribute offensively. The Clippers finished the season 40–42, missing the playoffs to the Golden State WarriorsGolden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
by one game. With a newly signed contract, Kaman had not lived up to the expectations of the Clippers.
2007–2008: Breakout season
After losing Shaun LivingstonShaun Livingston
Shaun Patrick Livingston is an American professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks.-Early years:Livingston was born in Peoria, Illinois. He led Concordia Lutheran Grade School, coached by Mr. Tom Ruppert, to LSA state titles in 1999 and 2000...
and Elton Brand
Elton Brand
Elton Tyron Brand is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association...
for the majority of the 2007–08 season due to a dislocated knee and ruptured achilles tendon
Achilles tendon
The Achilles tendon , also known as the calcaneal tendon or the tendo calcaneus, is a tendon of the posterior leg. It serves to attach the plantaris, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus bone.- Anatomy :The Achilles is the tendonous extension of 3 muscles in the lower leg:...
, respectively, the Clippers had very little expectations to be as competitive as they were two years prior. However, Kaman emerged as one of the most dominant centers in the NBA, averaging 15.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. Although he did not play in enough games to qualify for the league's statistical leaders, his rebound and block averages would have both ranked third in the league. Kaman demonstrated his ability to perform without Brand alongside him.
Spokesman for misdiagnoses of ADHD
In January 2008, Kaman revealed that he was misdiagnosed with Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorderAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder. It is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.ADHD is the most commonly studied and...
. Kaman spent much of his childhood on a farm and as a child he used to tear shingles off neighbors' rooftops and misbehave in school. His apparent ADHD affected his play in high school. He took Ritalin to treat the supposed condition, but the drug killed his appetite. Kaman became very skinny as a result. Kaman, diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder at 2½, found out the classification was wrong this summer. Instead, his brain was in overdrive, working too fast. Tim Royer, the psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
who discovered the misdiagnosis in July, worked on a daily training program with Kaman to slow down his thought process throughout the summer. The treatment is an accepted cognitive behavioral treatment for ADHD.
German national team
Kaman played for the first time for the German national basketball teamGermany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
in the qualifying tournament
FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008
The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament...
leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In his debut with Germany, he posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Cape Verde
Cape Verde national basketball team
The Cape Verde national basketball team represents Cape Verde in international basketball matches and is controlled by the Federação Cabo-verdiana de Basquetebol.-Achievements:*Silver medal at the 2009 Lusophony Games...
. He was chosen the most valuable player by journalists.
Kaman rejoined the German national team for EuroBasket 2011
Eurobasket 2011
EuroBasket 2011 was the 37th men's European Basketball Championship, held by FIBA Europe. The competition was hosted by Lithuania. This was the second time Eurobasket had been held in Lithuania, the country having also hosted the 1939 championship. FIBA Europe asserted that Lithuania managed to...
.
Personal life
Kaman is a dual citizen; he is a citizen of the United States and of Germany. Although he does not speak any GermanGerman language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, he acquired German citizenship in July 2008 (due to his great-grandparents being German), to play on the Germany national basketball team
Germany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
in the 2008 Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. "I'm proud to be a German, and I always felt kind of like a foreigner in the NBA," he joked with the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
prior to the Olympics.
Kaman's agent is Rob Pelinka
Rob Pelinka
Robert Todd Pelinka, Jr. is an American lawyer, National Basketball Association sports agent and former college basketball player from Lake Bluff, Illinois . He is best known as Kobe Bryant's agent and President and CEO of The Landmark Sports Agency, LLC...
.
Regular season
|-| align="left" | 2003–04
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 82 || 61 || 22.5 || .460 || .000 || .697 || 5.6 || 1.0 || .3 || .9 || 6.1
|-
| align="left" | 2004–05
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 63 || 50 || 25.9 || .497 || .000 || .661 || 6.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 1.1 || 9.1
|-
| align="left" | 2005–06
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 78 || 78 || 32.8 || .523 || .000 || .770 || 9.6 || 1.0 || .6 || 1.4 || 11.9
|-
| align="left" | 2006–07
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 75 || 66 || 29.0 || .451 || .000 || .741 || 7.8 || 1.1 || .6 || 1.5 || 10.1
|-
| align="left" | 2007–08
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 56 || 55 || 37.2 || .483 || .000 || .762 || 12.7 || 1.9 || .6 || 2.8 || 15.7
|-
| align="left" | 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 31 || 24 || 29.7 || .528 || .000 || .680 || 8.0 || 1.5 || .6 || 1.5 || 12.0
|-
| align="left" | 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 76 || 76 || 34.3 || .490 || .000 || .749 || 9.3 || 1.6 || .5 || 1.2 || 18.5
|-
| align="left" | 2010-11
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
| 32 || 15 || 26.2 || .471 || .000 || .754 || 7.0 || 1.4 || .5 || 1.5 || 12.4
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 493 || 425 || 29.7 || .487 || .000 || .738 || 8.3 || 1.3 || .5 || 1.4 || 11.8
|-
| align="left" | All-Star
| align="left" |
| 1 || 0 || 10.7 || .500 || .000 || .000 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || 4.0
Playoffs
|-| align="left" | 2005–06
2006 NBA Playoffs
The 2006 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2005–06 season. The Miami Heat won the first championship in the history of the franchise by defeating the Dallas Mavericks 4-2 in the 2006 NBA Finals...
| align="left" | L.A. Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
| 11 || 10 || 29.5 || .593 || .000 || .762 || 8.0 || .9 || .4 || .8 || 10.7
|-
| align="left" | Career
| align="left" |
| 11 || 10 || 29.5 || .593 || .000 || .762 || 8.0 || .9 || .4 || .8 || 10.7