FOR O'BANNON, CLOCK IS TICKING.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

UCLA senior forward Charles O'Bannon has spent a lifetime talking basketball with his father and older brother. But the discussion was never as intense as it was a month ago at a local restaurant.

Ed O'Bannon Sr., presiding, held nothing back.

``He told me that the next couple months will determine what I do the rest of my life,'' Charles said. ``He told me that if I don't wake up, I'll find myself with a 9-to-5 job - and I don't want that.''

He'd rather have a 9-point-5 job - a $9.5 million NBA contract. So with pro scouts watching his every move on and off the court, O'Bannon has responded to his father's challenge with newfound maturity and determination.

Since the Christmas discussion, O'Bannon has been UCLA's best all-around player, leading the team in scoring (15 points per game) and rebounding (6.9 per game) and defending like never before.

He has welcomed the leadership responsibilities he once shunned, helping point guard Cameron Dollar keep their tempestuous teammates in line.

And in the Bruins' most important victories of the season - over California and, especially, Arizona - O'Bannon has played his best, with a combined 36 points and 29 rebounds.

``I've never seen a game that critical where Charles took over down the stretch or in overtime,'' UCLA coach Steve Lavin said of the performance against Arizona.

``Charles has made big plays over his career in big games. But he took over that Arizona game on the free-throw line, on the boards, with his defense on (Michael) Dickerson. If there's a big game over his four years with his signature on it, it's the Arizona game.''

The family conversation didn't end with Ed Sr.'s warning. Charles then considered his older brother, Ed Jr., the former All-American and first-round pick of the New Jersey Nets who led UCLA to the 1995 NCAA title. Ed has struggled in 1-1/2 season with the Nets.

``The reality of having my brother home during the holidays - and he's not having the best of times - made me realize he only has three years (on his contract), and the rest isn't guaranteed,'' O'Bannon said. ``I don't even have those three years. I have three months.''

Funny how maturity works.

``Charles is undergoing . . . change,'' Ed Sr. said. ``Last year you saw a lot of hand-waving from Charles, a lot of taunting and yelling and screaming - the stuff that goes with being a hot-dog player. But this year Charles is not a hot-dog player. He's out there taking care of business.''

How fitting, then, that O'Bannon's next public appearance is against USC, on Thursday at the Sports Arena.

It was there, 11 months ago, that O'Bannon made the game-winning shot on his 21st birthday, then celebrated so late he missed a practice and the team bus the next morning. He was removed from the starting lineup a few days later, at Duke - an embarrassment on national television.

``I was so much more irresponsible last year,'' he said. ``Without question, I was a kid then, and I'm an adult now. It's not just age, going from 20 to 21, it's more about responsibility.''

The NBA is a constant in his life, extending beyond Ed Jr.'s experiences and Ed Sr.'s lectures. They have talked to NBA scouts about O'Bannon's draft prospects. What are his strengths? His weaknesses? Where will he go? Is he a first-rounder?

``They all say the biggest thing that will help me is for the team to win,'' O'Bannon said. ``None of them want a loser, so I'm trying to play and act at a different level.

``There's something different about playing college ball when you don't have any options left. Fear is a good motivator.''

DOING IT ALL

Charles O'Bannon has made a big contribution to the Bruins' offense in the last three games:

Opponent Pts Reb Ast

Cal 12 16 4

Arizona State 17 4 4

Arizona 24 13 2

CAPTION(S):

Box

Box: DOING IT ALL (see text)