Clippers Beef Up Bigs With Hollins, Turiaf

LOS ANGELES (CBSSports.com) — Even before Dwight Howard was headed to the Lakers, the Clippers realized they needed to get bigger.

While most of the league has abandoned playing traditional centers, the Pacific Division is loaded with them.

The Clippers will have to deal with Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Golden State's Andrew Bogut and Phoenix's Marcin Gortat in addition to the Lakers' two big men, Howard and Pau Gasol.

That's why the Clippers signed backup centers Ryan Hollins and Rony Turiaf in the offseason. Hollins and Turiaf are expected to provide toughness and length behind starting center DeAndre Jordan.

Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said he wanted Jordan to become a better defender frequently during the season, and now that becomes even more of a priority.