Odom, Phil and Kobe’s Shoes

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 19, 2008
in Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Phil Jackson and Pre-Game
.

An hour before tipoff here in Miami, here are three quick topics for you to nibble on leading into the running diary:

A) Lamar on Miami.
B) Phil on low tops and the game.

Lamar Talk
Business first - Odom said he’s feeling better than he was last game (when he threw up during the win over the Knicks) but is still a little bit stuffed up.

Odom’s a big fan of the MIA: “It was my transformation from a boy to a man when I was in Miami, so for that reason (my year here) was special to me.” Lamar, who keeps an offseason home in Pinecrest, loves coming to Miami as he gets a relaxing reprise in his place of living.

Back in 2003-04, Odom spent his only season with the Heat and averaged 17.1 points, 9.7 boards and 4.1 assists plus 1.1 steals in one of his best statistical seasons as a pro. The next season, of course, he came over (with Caron Butler and Brian Grant) to the Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal. He kept it pretty simple when asked about this year’s Heat team: “They’ve played well this year, and they’re definitely playing hard,” he said. “They have a tremendous player in Dwyane Wade, some people who really understand their roles and a player in Michael Beasley who’s going to be one of the top scorers in the game in three or four years.”

Phil Jackson Pregame

  • On Pau Gasol’s availability: “Yes, (he’s going to play). I think he’s OK. I don’t think he’s restricted at all. He worked out last night after a long trip across the country.”
  • On wearing low tops, as Kobe will tonight: “I played most of my career in low tops. I think the reason low tops went out (of style) is because when you got your shoe or heel stepped on, your foot came out of the shoe … Now a lot of low tops have velcro straps to try and keep them on your feet.”

    Jackson added that he doesn’t think low tops - or high tops - really prevent ankle injuries, though taping might help “somewhat.”

  • Jackson said he’s wary of Miami’s speed, in particular as it applies to their pressure defense and attention to the passing lanes. Both Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers rank among league steal leaders, with Wade in fourth (2.17) and Chalmers in eighth (1.96).
  • On the Wade - Kobe matchup: “It’s a tough match up for both guys. Kobe is locked in on guarding him, but they cross match a lot of times (like) in transition.” Basically, when players have to switch defensive assignments due to screens or pick and rolls, they’ll see each other.

    More on Kobe’s Shoes
    Finally, it’s not just Kobe who’s going to be wearing his new Nike Zoom Kobe IVs; you can expect his teammate like Trevor Ariza to be sporting them as well.