Moment of Truth Arrives for Clippers on Top Pick

Mike Bibby or Michael Olowokandi?

The NBA waits for the Clippers’ decision.

Clipper General Manager Elgin Baylor waits by the phone to see if he gets a third viable option in the form of a reasonable trade offer from another team.

And owner Donald Sterling waits to see if his fortunes have really, finally changed.

Ten days ago, it was an easy choice. With the first pick in today’s NBA draft, being held in this Canadian city for the first time, the Clippers were going to take Bibby, the Arizona guard who led the Wildcats to the NCAA title as a freshman and now jumps into the draft after his sophomore year.

And the Clippers still might take Bibby to fill the gaping hole they have at the point.

They would then have to hope they can re-sign Isaac Austin, their free-agent center who will command at least $7 million to $8 million in the open market, a steep price to pay for a player who performed inconsistently in his half season with the team. Or, better yet, the Clippers, who could have $8 million to $10 million to spend under the salary cap if they don’t re-sign forward Loy Vaught, could pursue another free-agent center.

But other teams around the league are not as enthusiastic about Bibby as the Clippers. He stands only 6 feet 2 and needs to show he can play effective defense at the pro level.

On the other hand, there is Olowokandi, who has come out of nowhere.

Olowokandi, a Nigerian who is listed at 7-1 but is actually 6-11 3/4, didn’t play basketball until he was 18 and didn’t play at a serious level until transferring from a college in England to Pacific three years ago.

Last season, Olowokandi averaged 22.2 points and 11.2 rebounds. And he’s still learning the game. Until recently, he was still learning the rules.

His potential has raised the eyebrows of NBA general managers and scouts, Baylor included.

Olowokandi has grown on Baylor as the draft has approached. There is no assurance the Clippers can re-sign Austin. That free-agent money could just as easily be used to pursue a guard. And the Clippers also have another first-round pick, No. 22 overall, which they could use to get Nebraska guard Tyronn Lue, who might still be available at that point.

David Falk, Bibby’s agent, permitted his client to work out only with the Clippers, making it clear where he’d like the guard to land.

“It’s a win-win situation for us,” Baylor said.

It would appear so. But remember, this is the Clippers, for whom seemingly advantageous opportunities have too often turned into a lose-lose situation.

Bibby or Olowokandi?

The clock is running down and the ball is in the hands of Baylor, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. It’s time to take a shot.

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CLIPPERS Draft at at Glance

* WHAT THEY NEED: A point guard and a center. The Clippers can fill one of those holes by taking Arizona guard Mike Bibby or Pacific center Michael Olowokandi. Or they could try to fill them both by trading the top pick. Bibby was the sure selection 10 days ago, but Olowokandi’s stock is rising faster than the Dow Jones average on a good day.

* WHAT THEY DON’T NEED: A forward. For once, the Clippers are loaded at a position with Lamond Murray, Rodney Rogers, Maurice Taylor, Lorenzen Wright (despite the fact that he struggled last season) and Loy Vaught if he re-signs.

* BEST DRAFT PICK: Bob McAdoo with the No. 2 selection back in 1972 when the franchise was still in Buffalo. He went on to lead the league in scoring three times and win an MVP award.

* WORST DRAFT PICK: Take your choice, Benoit Benjamin with the third selection in 1985, Reggie Williams with the fourth pick in 1987 or Bo Kimble with the eighth choice in 1990.