Odom appears ready for return
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer
January 23, 2007
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Lamar Odom flew through the air, caught Jordan Farmar's perfect lob pass and stuffed it through the basket.
The play elicited no response because it occurred during a scrimmage Tuesday. But it was a positive sign for the Los Angeles Lakers.
"He looked great, he looked really good. I didn't know what to expect," Kobe Bryant said following Odom's first practice with the Lakers since he sprained a ligament in his right knee Dec. 12.
Not only did Odom get through practice with no glitches, he said afterward he expects to play Friday night when the Lakers return to action against the Charlotte Bobcats at Staples Center.
"Right now, I have confidence in my body," he said. "I tried to push it at 100 percent. That's what you have to do in games. I tried to wait until my leg was stable and strong. It felt good to get back on the court.
"Hopefully I can practice a couple more days in a row and play Friday."
Odom was off to one of the best starts in his eight-year NBA career at the time of his injury, averaging 17.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists -- numbers that might have meant a berth in the All-Star game had the 6-foot-10 forward remained healthy.
Meanwhile, the news wasn't nearly as good regarding Kwame Brown, who was unable to get through his first practice since spraining his right ankle Dec. 31. The 6-11 Brown, averaging 8.7 points and 6.6 rebounds, had said before Monday night's 108-103 victory over Golden State that he hoped to return Friday night as well. But that won't happen.
"It's a little sore," he said. "I practiced a little bit today, I couldn't really jump. It flared up on me. I have to take a few steps back. We'll see what happens with some rest, let it calm down. We've been real aggressive with it this week."
The Lakers (27-15) have performed surprisingly well despite the injuries, going 12-9 since Odom got hurt and 7-4 with Odom and Brown sidelined.
"We've missed them tremendously," Bryant said. "That's why we've been inconsistent. That being said, we've played really well."
Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he's optimistic concerning Odom, but added: "It's always about how it's going to be between now and tomorrow morning."
Odom didn't appear to have any problems regarding conditioning during Tuesday's scrimmage.
"It still takes some time, your timing is off," he said.
Jackson said he hopes Brown will return to action during the Lakers' eight-game road trip that begins next Tuesday night in New York.
"I would love to have him for the San Antonio (home) game on Sunday," Jackson said. "That would be a big advance for our team."
The coach said a realistic target date for Brown's return might be Feb. 2 at Indiana, meaning he'll probably miss at least four more games.
"It's pretty swollen," Brown said. "I just can't get my range of motion in it that I had before. Until I get that, I can't play."
