That Other Team Is Drawing Attention

The Clippers, off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1985, are a topic of discussion in many locker rooms ... including that of the Lakers.

Rarely worth more than a cursory comment as the Lakers rolled to four Finals appearances in five seasons, the Clippers finished three games ahead of them last season and are off to a better start.

Thus the crowd of reporters huddled around the Lakers’ Clipper expert, Lamar Odom, an hour before Sunday’s game against Denver.

“You’ve got two teams, it’d be good for any city,” Odom said diplomatically. “It’s good for New York when the Yankees and Mets are winning, when the Jets and Giants are winning. But we have a lot more to worry about than what they do.”

Odom spent his first four seasons with the Clippers before they declined to re-sign him because of what General Manager Elgin Baylor called “issues of character and other risks involved.” Odom still stays in touch with Clipper forward Elton Brand, but there are only so many Clipper questions he will accept.

“I’ll talk about them being a good basketball team this year, [but] I’m with the Lakers,” Odom said. “They’ve got Sam Cassell, Cuttino Mobley. Still, it’s really early. I expect them to do well, but the Lakers are my concern.”

*

Larry Brown, paired recently with Phil Jackson by Boston Celtic patriarch Red Auerbach as coaches who inherited can’t-lose situations, is losing a lot.

New York is off to an 0-3 start.

“Like anything, you’re trying to imprint a system on a group of guys,” Jackson said. “Twenty-eight days, however many practices you can have -- maybe 35 practices, 37 practices -- is not enough time to put a system in, particularly when it becomes high-pressure performance time, with the bright lights and NBA games.

“His systems take time. My system also takes time. I think he’ll find a rhythm with that team. They’re talented enough to do well.”

*

Luke Walton, out almost four weeks because of a severe hamstring pull, is practicing but will sit out at least two more games, Jackson said. He could be back Friday against Philadelphia.... The Lakers begin a four-game trip Tuesday in Atlanta.