The Lakers completed a spirited practice Wednesday with the team appearing focused, but light-hearted following their disappointing loss last night to the New Orleans Hornets. The majority of the team practiced with the exception of the injured Kwame Brown (day-to-day) and Maurice Evans.
Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher participated in running and other live ball activities, but sat out during the team’s five-on-five scrimmage. In light of injuries to two of its starters and a key reserve player, Jackson said that the Lakers are fortunate to be entering a relatively light stretch in their schedule in which they only play one game in the next six days.
Lamar Odom looked particularly good for the Lakers, running the court well and getting his shot off with ease. Odom said he got banged around in today’s practice, but his body responded well. With a decision regarding his return date looming, Lamar said he feels he is ready to go and is no longer thinking about his shoulder when he steps onto the court. Ditto for the car accident that totaled his car—a non-issue according to the forward as “accidents happen.”
Phil Jackson spoke highly of Odom after practice, again reiterating that he has yet to make a final decision as to the forward’s status for this Friday’s game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Specifically, Jackson mentioned that Lamar is still working on carving his role and adjusting to the team’s new up-tempo offense.
Jackson declined to make a definitive call on whether or not Odom will replace incumbent small forward Luke Walton as the starter at the three-spot, but did postulate that Walton would likely be a good fit as the leader of the second unit.
In regards to his own health in the wake of his summer hip replacement surgery, Jackson said that he is feeling better, but a more accurate test will not come until the team embarks on an extended road trip. According to Jackson, the Lakers training camp in Hawaii was a good gauge at the time, but that the generally more lax pre-season atmosphere was not necessarily a good measurement for where his progress is.
