<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> EL SEGUNDO -- It is a good sign for the Lakers that Lamar Odom has come out of the gates solid. Perhaps it is a better sign that Odom doesn’t feel he’s close to his potential.</p> “I still have a ways to go,” he said.</p> Odom missed the first four games of the season in his recovery from May surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. He is still getting back to form — specifically developing a running stride with pronounced arm movement — something he was unable to do in the summer.</p> “I couldn’t even do that right there,” said Odom as he pointed to someone on a treadmill at the team’s practice facility.</p> His output has been strong, though.</p> Odom is averaging 16.5 points and 9.6 rebounds in four games after his 25-point, 15-rebound performance against Detroit on Friday.</p> Coach Phil Jackson called it a complete game for Odom and saw it as a step forward in his new role after he looked uncomfortable earlier in the season.</p> Odom’s physical adjustment is compounded by his move to small forward, where he has to put the ball on the floor with defenders at his legs.</p> Odom had spent most of his career at small forward with the Clippers before he moved to power forward in his first season with Miami and stayed there with the Lakers until this season.</p> “Having a guy under you when you dribble feels awkward,” Odom said. “It’s going to take time to figure it out.”</div></p> Source: OC Register</p>
