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Watching Blake Griffin spin by turnstile Chris Kaman reminded what Kaman said about his former teammate last month Kaman, whose time with Blake in L.A. was brief, is no less a big, big fan. “Let me tell you something, that guy works harder than anybody I’ve ever met — I’m talking about anybody I’ve ever met. He works harder than any of them,” Kaman said. “He comes back to the gym two and three times a day, he works the weights, he runs, the guy’s a freak. I don’t know how he can endure all that on his body, but he’s able to and he still comes out and he plays as hard as anybody I’ve ever seen for the 35 to 40 minutes he’s in the game.” Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman, free agent this summer, said top choice is re-sign with Dallas but realizes might not have that option “For sure, my loyalty lies with the Mavericks,’’ Kaman, on a one-year, $8 million contract, told FOX Sports Florida. “But it’s not my decision whether I say here longer than just one year… But my heart lies here with the Mavericks at this point. But we’ll see what happens. If I don’t have the option to be here, obviously I can’t be here.’’ Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Chris Kaman 

Dallas center Chris Kaman hasn't ruled out playing for Germany if it qualifies for 2014 World Cup in Spain. “I’m up for (playing for Germany again). I just don’t know what Dirk’s decision will be,’’ said Kaman, who played for Germany in the 2008 Olympics and before only has wanted to play for the country if Dirk Nowitzki, now his Dallas teammate, is playing. “I can’t say no now. But I can’t say yes.’’ Sulia

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, FIBA, Chris Kaman, Germany 

Dwain Price: Center Chris Kaman on the #Mavs' 0-6 overtime record: "Maybe guys are tired there and we don’t fight at the end as much as we should." Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman: Wait, how will the world end in 2012 when I have a bunch of food in my fridge that says it expires in 2013?! #Confused Twitter @ChrisKaman

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman: For u clowns who think the world is going to end on Friday, please send me your valuables so I can use them in my contest giveaways! Thanks Twitter @ChrisKaman

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

Center Chris Kaman was excused from Monday's practice to attend his grandmother's funeral. Coach Rick Carlisle said Kaman is expected to return to Dallas on Monday night and rejoin the team for the morning shootaround before Tuesday's home game against the 76ers. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman 

After Monday morning’s shootaround at American Airlines Center, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said that center Chris Kaman (sprained left ankle) probably will play against Sacramento tonight. Forward Shawn Marion, who sat out Saturday’s victory over Houston with a right groint strain, is a gametime decision. “It feels a lot better,” Marion said. “I’ll evaluate myself tonight and go from there. “I went through rehab yesterday and we had a good session here treating it and I feel way better today.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Shawn Marion, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: Chris Kaman on Lamar Odom: "He’s been overweight and out of shape. I think you’ve seen what he can do when he’s in great shape and healthy." Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Lamar Odom, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: "The guy works harder than anybody I’ve ever met. I'm talking about anybody that I’ve ever met." -- Chris Kaman on ex-teammate Blake Griffin Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: Chris Kaman doesn't have the hops to jump over a car like Blake Griffin. He said: "I can’t jump off the first stair, let alone over a car.'' Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: #Mavs C Chris Kaman: "Canada and the United States are pretty much the same country. It’s not like Mexico and the United States. Its Canada and the United States. It's like the border. People don't mind going back and forth across the (USA-Canada) border.'' Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Chris Kaman, Canada, United States 

With All-Stars Paul and Blake Griffin surrounded by a deep and talented supporting cast, the Clippers sit atop the Pacific Division at 11-6. They are in the very real position of turning three decades of failure and embarrassment into a bright, new era bubbling with possibility if… “If Sterling sold the team,” Kaman quipped, “they might be able to.” NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Kaman 

“The truth of the thing is, while I was there my first four to six years, he was tight with everything. He didn’t want to spend the money,” Kaman said. “I think as he’s getting older he’s realizing, ‘Hey, I don’t know how much time I have left, whatever it is, I’m older.’ You can’t, you know, win in the grave. I’m serious. I think he’s getting close to 80 years old and I think that he’s seeing like, “Hey, I’m getting older, I’m not getting any younger, I want to try to win.’ So he’s putting that money out.” NBA.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Kaman 

Dwain Price: Asked if the #Clippers can turn the corner, #Mavs C Chris Kaman said: "If (owner Donald) Sterling sold the team they might be able to.'' Twitter @DwainPrice

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Kaman, Donald Sterling 

Cuban said he was unaware of the news that Kaman will start. Cuban supported the decision, pointing out the Mavericks’ recent poor starts. They fell behind Charlotte 17-4 and trailed Minnesota after one period, 25-17. “I think it will get us off to a better start, and I think it will get (Kaman) into the rhythm of the game more,” Cuban said. “I think all of our guys, including Chris, are trying to do too much, particularly on the offensive end. We’ve seen that. Everybody comes in and immediately wants to score, immediately wants to have an impact on the game.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Chris Kaman 

Kaman and the Mavs' medical staff want to see how his calf responds to a day of work before clearing him to play in the home opener against the Charlotte Bobcats. "I'm hoping to play. I'm wanting to play," Kaman said. "At the same time, if it's not something I'm able to do, then I won't do it. I'm going to do what's best for the team and also what's best for myself long term, because if I play now and set myself much farther back, that hurts the team and it also hurts me. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Guard Rodrigue Beaubois hobbled off the court in pain near the end of the Mavericks' practice, having turned his left ankle again. "We hope he's going to be OK and it's not serious," coach Rick Carlisle said. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Chris Kaman (right calf muscle strain) said he’s moderately optimistic that he will be available for the Mavericks’ season opener on Oct. 30 in Los Angeles against the Lakers. The 7-foot center sat out his second consecutive preseason game on Monday. “I’m pretty sure I’ll be good to go,’’ Kaman said. “That’s a long time from now. It gives me over a week and I’m progressing pretty good, so I don’t really see that as a problem. But I can’t guarantee that. I don’t know. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman 

Mavericks center Chris Kaman has a strained calf and will not be making the trip for the preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, coach Rick Carlisle said. "He's going to stay here and get treatment on it and hopefully get ready for next week," Carlisle said. Mavs head athletic trainer Casey Smith will stay in Dallas over the weekend to treat and monitor Kaman and Dirk Nowitzki, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Friday. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Injuries, Chris Kaman