Too Soon to Call Odom an All-Star?

Three games do not qualify a player for all-star consideration, but the Clippers’ Lamar Odom has been producing like one so far.

Odom, drafted fourth overall out of Rhode Island last summer, leads the team in scoring, rebounding, minutes played and is tied with Tyrone Nesby for the lead in steals. He’s second in assists and tied for second in blocked shots.

Scottie Pippen has called Odom a left-handed version of himself, and Paul Westphal considers him the leading rookie-of-the-year candidate. And the scary part for opponents is that Odom is still trying to fit in with the Clippers.

“I’m just trying to go out and do what I know I can do,” said Odom, averaging 23.7 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. “There’s no pressure like the pressure I put on myself.

“I’m just thinking team, team, team basketball. . . . That’s the only way we’ll be successful.”

Coach Chris Ford is not afraid to play Odom heavy minutes or give him the ball late in games. The versatile rookie is playing 43 minutes a game and averaging 2.7 assists, 1.67 blocks and 1.67 steals.

“During the flow of the game, he’s going to be my point. . . . He’s going to be handling the ball on certain plays,” Ford said.

Which works for Odom.

“To me, that’s part of being a basketball player, wanting the ball in your hands,” he said. “I’ve always been one of those players who wants to win the game or lose it by having the ball in key situations.”