Coach Phil Jackson did not wish to speak about the possibility of moving Lamar Odom into a new role this season, but did so anyway after some persistent questioning on the opening day of training camp Tuesday .
"I refuse to answer," Jackson said when asked about switching Odom from a starting forward position to a backup's job.
Jackson said during a news conference Friday he was considering starting Trevor Ariza ahead of Odom.
When someone asked him if was merely throwing out a scenario that might motivate Odom to play harder during training camp, Jackson smiled and said, "Motivated? Yeah, I don't know about that. I've never seen Lamar motivated."
Later, when asked for perhaps the fourth time about the proposed swap of assignments, Jackson adopted a serious tone and gave an expansive answer.
"We'll just have to see how it goes along," he said at last. "It's a work in progress. Teams that are really good, usually starters come off the bench to play for them, (Manu) Ginobili, for example with San Antonio ."
Odom, who will make a little more than $14million in the final season of a five-year contract, said he spoke with Jackson "a little bit."
"At the end of the day, that's out of my control," said Odom, who has never played a reserve role in four seasons with the Lakers. "He's going to do whatever he wants to do. But I wouldn't suggest that, especially in a year when I want to be on the court, for obvious reasons."
Asked how he would view such a move, Odom said, "I would take it like he bumped his ... head. Nah, that's a joke. I don't mean that. I would take it as this: he's trying to motivate me a little bit. I'll take it as a challenge."
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol played an easygoing game of one-on-one near the end of the first of the Lakers' two practices Tuesday. Their teammates, meanwhile, ran a set of wind sprints at the conclusion of their morning workout.
It's all part of Jackson 's plan to monitor their fitness and fatigue after a hectic summer in which Bryant and Team USA defeated Gasol and Spain for the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics. Bryant and Gasol might skip an exhibition game or two.
"This week I'm just seeing how they feel, how's their energy level, and then we'll adjust," Jackson said. "I was told not to say that I wasn't going to play Kobe in exhibition games. So I'm not going to say Kobe 's not going to play in this exhibition game or that exhibition game. But there is a chance they may not play in exhibition games."
Jackson said last week he was determined to monitor Bryant's playing time more closely this season. Bryant, who turned 30 on Aug. 23, averaged 28.3 points in 38.9 minutes while winning his first league MVP award last season.
"I feel great," Bryant said. "I can run all day."
Sun Yue continues to suffer from a high fever and fatigue and has been ordered by Dr. John Moe to stay away from training camp for at least the rest of the week. Sun was diagnosed with mononucleosis last week. ... Luke Walton (right ankle surgery) participated in about two-thirds of practice. Walton has not been cleared to join his teammates for five-on- five scrimmages, however.
Five-star prospect from Southwest Atlanta Christian School, making the McDonald's All-America team as well as third-team Parade and EA Sports All-America teams following his senior year ... Rated as high as No. 6 nationally (Hoop Scoop) and was the top-rated point guard in the country according to Rivals, No. 3 by Scout.com ... Final PrepStars.com ranking was No. 20.
A 3.5 GPA student who was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and the Senior Beta Club ... Played in the summers with the Atlanta Celtics AAU team.
