Odom's Effort Not Enough for Lakers

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<font class="bilinelead">LOS ANGELES - </font>There are no excuses, Lamar Odom says.</p>

He has not been playing up to the standards he has set for himself. He hasn't been doing enough to help the Lakers be successful. And that has left Odom frustrated.</p>

Odom appeared to come out focused Sunday night, making his first four shots and 5 of 6 en route to 16 points. But he had only three rebounds and one assist before fouling out.</p>

One thing that's been different for Odom is that he's switched positions this season, moving from his role as a facilitator in the offense to the wing spot.</p>

"I guess I'm still figuring it out ..." Odom said. "From playing the guard spot, I know how to activate the ball, to get it back to where I was comfortable at. I haven't really gotten into a rhythm. Stand-still shooting is not my game."</p>

Odom said it's frustrating at times "because I know what I've got to do for us to be successfully consistent. I haven't been doing that. Sometimes a couple of games go by and you question yourself."</p>

Odom missed all of the exhibition season and the first four regular-season games recovering from shoulder surgery. He then tore a tendon in the tip of his right pinkie finger.</p>

Odom had 10, eight and four points in his previous three games, missing 15 of 22 shots. He came into Sunday averaging 2.9 turnovers.</p>

"This is, like, the worst three or four games I've played in a row in my career," Odom said before the game. "I don't want to blame it on injuries. I was injured last year and played well. I've never made an excuse to you before, so I'm not going to start now.</p>

"That's the strength of my game, that I can switch spots on the floor. I'm just not playing good basketball. I'm playing like a bum."</div></p>

Source: Riverside Press Enterprise</p>
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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GM3)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I'm not sure if you guys are still interested in JO but a Lamar Odom for Jermaine O'Neal deal looks realistic with both guys struggling. A change of scenery maybe what the doctor ordered.</p>

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I agree, they both need a change of scenery. However, I don't see how a deal gets done at this point. The Lakers would have to include an additional $7 or to match JO's contract. Lakers only have 14 active players and I don't think they'd want to include Radman, Walton, Fisher or Kwame along with Odom.</p>

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