Clippers Back Tearful Odom

Tearful and remorseful, Lamar Odom on Wednesday made his first public comments since his suspension Monday for violating the terms of the NBA’s antidrug program. The league suspended him for a minimum of five games. The Clippers then suspended him Wednesday for five games, meaning he will miss at least six games.

Asked during a formal press conference at Staples Center if he believed he had a drug problem, Odom said, “No, not at all. I chose to experiment with marijuana.”

Odom, who turned 22 on Tuesday, also said he would undergo counseling, but will not be required to check into a rehabilitation clinic.

This is Odom’s second suspension in eight months for violating the league’s antidrug policy. In March, sources told The Times that he tested positive for marijuana and failed to comply with his aftercare program.

Asked if he was concerned about the possibility of a third positive test for marijuana, Odom said, “I can’t answer that right now. I just got to do it [stay clean and sober]. I know nothing I say is going to make people believe me.”

After his first suspension, he said, “This will definitely not happen again. The fans have been great to me since I’ve been here, and I hope it continues. I hope everyone doesn’t pass judgment on my mistake. I’ve made a couple and I may make a couple again, but hopefully they won’t be as big as this one.”

Several times Wednesday, Odom halted his remarks to compose himself. At one point, teammate Jeff McInnis encouraged him to take his time and think about what he wanted to say to the assembled media in a spare Staples Center locker room.

McInnis and forward Elton Brand, a childhood friend from New York, flanked Odom at the dais. Clipper teammates, coaches and members of management attended the press conference in a show of support.

Odom said their presence Wednesday, “Means everything.”

Hours later, before the Clippers played the Memphis Grizzlies, Coach Alvin Gentry cautioned against mistaking the team’s support of Odom for encouraging his drug use.

“Words don’t matter now,” Gentry said. “The only thing that matters is action.”

Gentry also suggested that Odom might not be given his starting spot at small forward when he is eligible to return to the team--now Nov. 18 against the New York Knicks.

“We can’t answer that right now,” Gentry said. “We can’t say it’s a slam dunk. We can’t assume he’ll come back and get plugged into the starting lineup.”

Odom, averaging 14 points, 11 rebounds and 3.7 assists in three games, said he looked forward to taking some time away from basketball. He could travel today with the team to Portland and is eligible to participate in practices. He cannot be in the arena during games, however.

The Clippers’ move to place Odom on the suspended list gives the team the opportunity to activate another player to replace him on the roster. The team is expected to activate forward Harold Jamison from the injured list today.

“It will give me time to think and to get past this,” Odom said. “You can’t always dwell on the past. I guess you have to go through times of pain to get to times of joy.”

Said Brand: “It’s genuine support. The coaches didn’t have to come here today. All the players didn’t have to come here. We’re not going to turn our backs on him now.”

Added forward Corey Maggette: “We’re going support him. We know he can’t do it all by himself. He’s our teammate. He’s our friend. We love Lamar.”

Odom’s drug use has been an issue going back to his college days at Rhode Island. The Chicago Bulls were set to select him first overall after he declared himself eligible for the 1999 draft, but decided against selecting him after learning of past marijuana use.

Odom dropped to fourth overall, where the Clippers selected him. In his first two seasons in the NBA, Odom has established himself as a team leader. He averaged a team-best 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds last season, when the Clippers improved to 31 victories from 15 in 1999-2000.

“I’m here today because I feel, again, that I’m disappointed in myself,” Odom said. “I don’t want to put anyone in this position again. I’ll try to do everything I need to do to get through this. I’m sorry, but I don’t want anybody feeling sorry for me.”