Odom Anxiously Welcomes Some Real Opposition

In 13 Clipper practices, rookie Lamar Odom has played like someone considered by many to be the most talented player in last June’s draft. But Odom knows no matter how well he has done in practice, it’s only been against his own teammates. Tonight, Odom will get a taste of outside competition when the Clippers play the Golden State Warriors in an exhibition game at San Jose Arena.

“It’s a real game to me,” he said. “It won’t count in the won and lost column but for this team, every game counts. With the lack of success this franchise has had in past years, winning this game and looking good will really help our confidence.”

Odom said he is not worried about playing time.

“It doesn’t matter. I just want to be effective,” he said. “I know I’ll play, that’s what counts.”

Getting a chance to see Odom play is one of a few things Coach Chris Ford will be looking at tonight. He’s been pleased with the work the Clippers have done but . . .

“Cabin fever,” he said. “It’s time for the guys to get out and see someone different.”

Ford is hoping not to see many mental errors.

“Offensively, we want unselfishness in moving the ball, moving your body to find the open man,” he said. “There’s no reason to take a shot when you’re double-teamed or guys are running at you.

“Defensively, I want to see how our rotation is and how we’re talking. Also, how we respond to the way the new defenses are to be played without giving those silly touch fouls. We’ve been working with officials every night so it should start registering that they have to play defense with their feet.”

Rebounding will also be closely watched.

“That’s going to be an ongoing thing . . . we have to gang rebound, everyone has to go in there,” Ford said. “If [Michael Olowokandi] is shooting the ball, then [Maurice Taylor] should be crashing the boards. If Mo is shooting it, then Michael should be crashing the boards . . . and our perimeter people should be sneaking in there whenever they can. I don’t see enough of that yet.”

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The Clippers are expected to start point guard Troy Hudson, shooting guard Eric Piatkowski, small forward Tyrone Nesby, power forward Taylor and center Olowokandi. Derek Anderson, Brian Skinner and Odom will be the first players off the bench.

X-rays of Eric Murdock’s left ankle sprain were negative. Murdock would have backed up Hudson tonight but will miss the game. Scott Brooks and Charles Jones will be the reserve point guards.

“That’s why I’m leaning towards having three points in the makeup of the team,” Ford said. “We’re going to be deficient in the bigs but if we lose a point, we’ll be deficient in the points and the bigs, leaving us with two spots to fill.”