Lamar Odom holds firm on starting status
LAKERS
Odom says he'll do what Coach Phil Jackson asks of him, but makes clear he doesn't see himself as a reserve.
Lamar Odom stood his ground today, a day after voicing his displeasure with Lakers Coach Phil Jackson's suggestion that perhaps it would better if he came off the bench rather than start.
Odom sees himself as the starting small forward for the Lakers, not a reserve. He said he spoke with Jackson before the team's first of two-a-day practices about whether the 6-10 forward should change his roll and allow Trevor Ariza to become the starter.
"At the end of the day, that's out of my control," Odom said. "Whatever he wants, I guess I would do. But I wouldn't suggest that, especially in a year where I want to be on the court for obvious reasons."
Odom is in the final year of his contract. He'll earn $14.1 million this season; so far there have been no talks with the Lakers about an extension.
He suggested Jackson "was trying to motivate me a little bit. I guess I'll take it as a challenge."
Jackson was asked whether an angry or motivated Odom was better.
"I don't know. I've never seen Lamar motivated before," joked Jackson, who has coached Odom for three seasons.
Odom played power forward last season. He was tied for second on the team in assists (3.5 per game), led the team in rebounds (10.6) and was third in scoring (14.2).
Odom sounded conflicted about his situation.
"It's like, it's not about me right now," Odom said. "I don't think that'll be a problem for us to play together.
"It's too bad that it had be like politics and business around the game, especially when we're a team like this. It's not right for me to be selfish at this time. When I walk into the locker room, I'm like, 'this team is going to win a championship.' I want to be a part of that."
broderick.turner@latimes.com
