The motivational mysteries of Lamar Odom

March 16th, 2008, 12:23 pm · Post a Comment · posted by KEVIN DING, OCREGISTER.COM

HOUSTON — Phil Jackson named Luke Walton, Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant as the players the Lakers will need to get more post production from to counteract the absence of Pau Gasol.

Then Jackson said about Odom needing to be more aggressive on offense: “I wouldn’t tell him that, but he’s going to have to be if we’re going to win.”

Asked why he wouldn’t tell Odom, Jackson said: “He should know that.”

Asked why he wouldn’t try to prod Odom, Jackson smiled and said: “Naw, I haven’t found that to be effective.”

Jackson added that the main thing with Odom is just to “get him into rhythm.”

After Jackson finished his pregame chat with reporters, he then walked in the locker room and immediately spotted Odom in the training room. Jackson seized the opportunity to get that very aforementioned point across by smilingly telling Odom something to the effect of: “Guess what the reporters were saying about you!”

Reader comments: We want this to be a place where people discuss and debate ideas that foster stronger communities. We expect people to differ -- judgment and opinion are subjective -- and we encourage free speech and the exchange of ideas. But you are participating in a community that is intended for all of our users and we prohibit profanity, vulgarity, racial, sexual and homophobic remarks, threats, harassment and personal attacks. Here's the full User Agreement. Thank you for making this a safe place worth preserving and sharing. Share this: The icons below make it easy to share this post with others. First icon e-mails a link.