Joe Ingles knew it would be tough breaking into the NBA, but he wasn't expecting all the Australian jokes in the Los Angeles Clippers locker room.
"They make fun of everything I say," the 27-year-old forward from Happy Valley in South Australia said.
The biggest Clippers pranksters are two of the team's stars, power forward Blake Griffin and centre DeAndre Jordan.
"Blake and DeAndre are probably the worst by mimicking everything I say," Ingles told reporters on Tuesday before the Clippers played their first pre-season game against fellow Aussie Andrew Bogut's Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors won 112-94.
Ingles played the final two minutes, but didn't score or grab a rebound.
Bogut had a solid start to the season, scoring 10 points on perfect 5-5 shooting, and nine rebounds.
Bogut, who has been plagued by injuries the past three seasons, sat out the entire second half.
While Bogut will be the centerpiece of the Warriors' pursuit of an NBA Championship, Ingles is in the precarious position of not having a guaranteed contract and in a two-way battle with guard Jared Cunningham for the 15th and final spot on the Clippers roster.
Ingles or Cunningham will likely be cut before the regular season begins on October 30.
"Obviously we both want the spot and are going to do what we have to do to get it," Ingles, who spent the past five years playing in Europe, said.
"We're playing different positions as well so we are not directly matched.
"It's not an ideal situation and we'd love to be guaranteed, but it is what it is and we're just doing our best and will see what happens."
Clippers coach Doc Rivers has been impressed with what the 203cm, 98kg Australian Institute of Sport graduate has shown in pre-season workouts.
"Joe definitely has the temperament and skill," Rivers said.
"He's a crafty basketballer. I enjoy watching him in practice.
"He is never going to blow you away or do 360 degree dunks or anything like that, unless he is holding back, but he has amazing feel."
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