Asked how he felt about his role as sixth man, Corey Maggette made clear Monday during a post-practice interview that he didn't care for the question.

"I ain't no sixth man," he interrupted, emphatically.

Maggette, the Clippers' leading scorer the last two seasons, has come off the bench in each of the three games in which he has played since returning from a hamstring injury suffered during the preseason.

Coach Mike Dunleavy, on the advice of the team's medical staff, has been bringing the forward along slowly, increasing his playing time by a few minutes each game.