KB24
01-24-2007, 11:53 AM
LAKERS REPORT
Odom practices, hopes to play Friday
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
January 24, 2007
Kobe Bryant was told he didn't have to practice Tuesday, so he stuck around and worked out in an adjacent room. What he saw a little later through a window to the Lakers' practice court made him smile.
Forward Lamar Odom was working up a sweat, running up and down full-bore with teammates in a scrimmage — passing, rebounding and scoring.
Just what the doctor ordered.
"He looked really, really good," Bryant said. "I didn't know what to expect, to be honest with you, because I really haven't seen him working out aside from just the therapy he was doing at the side of the court. He looked great."
Odom has sat out 21 games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He was expected to play Friday against Charlotte, his first game since landing awkwardly after an off-balance drive to the basket Dec. 12 against the Houston Rockets.
"I felt good," Odom said. "Refreshing. Rehab is 10 times harder than practice physically and, after a while, mentally. [Friday] is my target date. That's what I'm aiming at. Hopefully I can get cleared by the doctor and don't have any swelling or tightness from practicing out here, and [can] come out here and help my team win some games — help our team."
Odom was off to possibly the best start in his eight-year career, averaging 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Lakers are 13-9 without him, including the game in which he was hurt, a victory over the Rockets.
Odom practices, hopes to play Friday
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
January 24, 2007
Kobe Bryant was told he didn't have to practice Tuesday, so he stuck around and worked out in an adjacent room. What he saw a little later through a window to the Lakers' practice court made him smile.
Forward Lamar Odom was working up a sweat, running up and down full-bore with teammates in a scrimmage — passing, rebounding and scoring.
Just what the doctor ordered.
"He looked really, really good," Bryant said. "I didn't know what to expect, to be honest with you, because I really haven't seen him working out aside from just the therapy he was doing at the side of the court. He looked great."
Odom has sat out 21 games because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He was expected to play Friday against Charlotte, his first game since landing awkwardly after an off-balance drive to the basket Dec. 12 against the Houston Rockets.
"I felt good," Odom said. "Refreshing. Rehab is 10 times harder than practice physically and, after a while, mentally. [Friday] is my target date. That's what I'm aiming at. Hopefully I can get cleared by the doctor and don't have any swelling or tightness from practicing out here, and [can] come out here and help my team win some games — help our team."
Odom was off to possibly the best start in his eight-year career, averaging 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Lakers are 13-9 without him, including the game in which he was hurt, a victory over the Rockets.