Odom Puts in Overtime Work

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EL SEGUNDO - What's wrong with the Lakers? Lamar Odom says it's him.</p>

Or maybe it's youth. A lack of sustained energy, perhaps. Defense?</p>

Injuries? Something about Kobe?</p>

The Lakers, riding high with a 7-3 record only seven days ago, have lost three consecutive games and desperately need to generate some momentum in tonight's home game against Seattle, which is 2-12.</p>

After tonight, the Lakers face games against Utah, Denver and Orlando, three teams that entered Monday with a combined record of 31-12. Whatever ails the Lakers, they need to resolve it quickly.</p>

"We're just trying to get ourselves back in rhythm as a team," coach Phil Jackson said Monday.</p>

So, where to begin? Last week, on their first extended trip of the season, the Lakers blasted Indiana in a victory, faltered late in a loss to Milwaukee and lost in ablowout to Boston.</p>

Consistency is an issue from game to game and sometimes quarter to quarter. Jackson blamed the road woes on youth and said a more experienced team would have been better-prepared to handle the trip and potential pratfalls of being on the road during a holiday, such as Thanksgiving last week.</p>

"Nobody was saying we were young when we were 7-3," Odom said. "That's not an excuse."</p>

Defense has been a longstanding issue. The Lakers have allowed at least 100 points in four consecutive games. On Sunday, New Jersey topped 100 points for only the fourth time in 14 games <span id="RDS_global"> this season. </span></p>

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The injury to center Kwame Brown seemed to disrupt a second unit that had been playing superbly, and the Lakers might be developing an over-reliance on Bryant. Through three quarters Sunday, Bryant missed 13 of 16 shots. In the entire game, Odom and Fisher took a combined 16 shots and made 13.</p>

Odom, asked about the Lakers' faults, took the conversation in a different direction.</p>

"I think the problem is, we don't sustain enough energy," Odom said. "Even when things aren't going well, you still have to play basketball with a lot of energy and effort. Especially when you're at home.</p>

"When things are going good, it's easy to be jumping up and down and high-fiving and stuff like that. It's when things get tough, that's what kind of brings you together."</p>

Odom saved his most stinging critique for himself in continuing a trend that started last week.</p>

Against the Nets, Odom had 16 points in 38 minutes but took only six shots. He had three rebounds, one assist, four turnovers and fouled out, with an assist to the refs for a couple of questionable offensive fouls.</p>

Last Friday, Odom publicly blamed himself for the loss to Boston, a game in which he scored only four points. The self-criticism continued before the New Jersey game and didn't subside later, even though Odom appeared more active on the court and earned a moderate stamp of approval from Jackson.</p>

"Yeah but, you know, we lost," Odom said flatly. "But I was a little more active."</p>

Odom lingered after practice Monday and shot a seemingly endless number of mid-range jumpers. He stayed so long he eventually shared the court with members of the Lakers' D-League team. <span id="RDS_global">When he finally finished, his tank top drenched and his head topped with sweat, Odom wandered over to a group of reporters and gave himself another public flogging.</span></p>

<span id="RDS_global">Odom has struggled to find a rhythm since he recovered from offseason shoulder surgery. Moved primarily to small forward, Odom has had one superb game - a 25-point, 15-rebound effort against Detroit on Nov. 16 - but has failed to take more than seven shots in four of his past five games.</div></span></p>

<span id="RDS_global">Source: Daily Bulletin</span></p>

<span id="RDS_global">I'm glad Odom spent time working on his jumper, but he should really be working on his post up game. His size at small forward gives him a huge advantage over smaller defenders. He just needs to work on 3 go to moves with a counter to each one and he could dominate offensively. A baby hook with either hand, the drop step and a quick spin move finishing with either hand. I wish James Worthy would work with him on his game. Big Game James was deadly in the paint when he got the ball. He would make quick, explosive moves to get to the rim and finish strong. Odom has the tools and physical stature to be just as effective he just needs someone to show him the proper footwork and how to feel his defender and slide around him.</span></p>
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