LAMAR-VELOUS PICK? CLIPPERS TAKE CHANCE ON TALENTED, TROUBLED FORWARD ODOM.

Byline: Randy Hill Staff Writer

Two weeks of acting like a dodger have turned Lamar Odom into a Clipper.

``It's a relief,'' said Odom, who can encourage officials from his new team to exhale by showing up for today's getting-acquainted press conference at the Convention Center. ``The situation got a little chaotic.''

This only proves the versatile 6-foot-10 forward is understated, if not underrated.

Despite Odom attempting to avoid the NBA draft by trying to return to Rhode Island after making himself available for the draft, the Clippers nonetheless chose the former national high school player of the year with Wednesday night's fourth overall pick.

For the Clippers, it represents another positive - and gutsy - move in what looks suspiciously like a perception-defying draft roll. Two years after taking power forward Maurice Taylor at No. 14, and one year after landing 7-foot center Michael Olowokandi with the first pick, they select the player many consider the most talented in the draft.

``This kid can do it all,'' Clippers coach Chris Ford said. ``He has star potential.''

But Odom's puzzling pre-draft no-shows and troubling past made him a gamble. One NBA scout who attended an impromptu audition Monday night in Rhode Island joked he was there to see if Odom really existed.

Odom's erratic behavior was the reason he was still available after the first three picks were gone.

Still, he brings to L.A. a solid basketball resume.

After earning high player of the year honors in 1997, Odom considered UNLV but changed his mind. Academic problems were finally hurdled by Rhode Island head coach Jim Harrick.

In his first game for the Rams, Odom had 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in a victory over Texas Christian. Four months later, his buzzer-beating 3-pointer won the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, putting Rhode Island into the NCAA Tournament.

Odom averaged 17 points and nine rebounds in his only college season.

After watching that near-triple-double against TCU, Jeff Weltman, the Clips' director of player personnel, was socializing with a few scouting peers and speculating on Odom and his anticipated impact on the '99 draft.

``One guy turned to me and said, `OK, who's going No. 2?' ''

After declaring for the draft, Odom decided to return to Rhode Island. But he wasn't allowed to because he had already signed with an agent. That fiasco damaged his already shaky reputation.

But he didn't slip too far.

The Clippers expected UCLA's Baron Davis, who they wanted for their point-guard vacancy, to be chosen third by Charlotte. Hornets general manager Bob Bass made good on his threat to take Davis, so the Clippers zeroed in on Odom.

``We really think he's the best talent in the draft,'' Ford said. ``A lot of players you can look at in the draft have question marks.''

Now the Clippers are banking on the belief that ``Lamar'' and ``Odom'' aren't anagrams for ``Alarm'' and ``Doom.''

If they aren't, the Clips realize Odom will be a bargain.

``On the court, he will create numerous problems for the opposition,'' Ford said. ``What intrigues me is that he really can pass the ball.''

Elgin Baylor, the team's vice president of basketball operations, decided Odom's vast basketball skills greatly outweighed the risk. After a phone chat with Odom on Wednesday morning, the Clippers were sold.

``He feels all this is behind him,'' Baylor said of Odom's erratic off-court behavior. ``We think he's heading in the right direction.''

With their second-pick, the 31st overall, the Clippers selected former Illinois State swingman Rico Hill.

Hill, who grew up in Chicago, was the Missouri Valley Conference's player of the year two seasons ago. He didn't return for his senior year, and spent the past season playing professionally in Spain.

``He has a rare feel for the game,'' Weltman said. ``He has heart and he has character.''

CLIPPERS' 1999 DRAFT PICKS

Name: Lamar Odom

School: Rhode Island

Position: Forward

Height/Weight: 6-10, 220

Name: Rico Hill

School: Illinois State

Position: Forward

DECADE OF DOUBT

Here's a look at the Clippers' first-round picks during the last 10 years with overall pick in parentheses:

Year Player School

1999 Lamar Odom (4) Rhode Island

1998 Michael Olowokandi (1) Pacific

1997 Maurice Taylor (14) Michigan

1996 Lorenzen Wright (7) Memphis

1995 Antonio McDyess (2) Alabama

1994 Lamond Murray (7) California

1993 Terry Dehere (13) Seton Hall

1992 Randy Woods (16) La Salle

1991 Leron Ellis (22) Syracuse

1990 Bo Kimble (8) LMU 

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--Color) Lamar Odom averaged 17 points for Rhode Island in his only college season.

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

(2) Lamar Odom

BOX: DECADE OF DOUBT (see text)