Projo Sports Blog

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers are playing without their starting center, Andrew Bynum. His knee injury has forced Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to play opposing centers on defense and try to hit the boards as much as possible. While that’s not the strength of either player, the two forwards are getting the job done.

Last night, the Lakers’ two big men were running the floor well and that sparked an improved offensive flow. Phil Jackson said he dismissed any thoughts that Gasol wasn’t physical or tough enough to play big men in the NBA.

"Perhaps that had been carried with him, that perhaps he was not a center, he was more of a forward type of player. He wasn't tough enough or powerful enough to be a center," said Jackson, "but he's constantly risen to the occasion in every series that we've gone through this year. I find it remarkable how well he's played. I mean, he's really taken the challenge and played very well."

Getting Odom going was a major focus for the Lakers and the former URI star certainly delivered. Jackson said he’s asking Odom to carry a heavy load for his team.

"Lamar is our best rebounder, and one of the things they've been doing is neutralizing him on the defensive boards. (Kendrick) Perkins is just plowing him under the basket," said Jackson. "He's got to get back and get rebounds because from there he springs our transition game where he's so effective. That's where his assists and his scoring comes because he usually generates somewhere between 8 to 10 rebounds a game."

Leave a comment

Name:

Email:

URL:  

Remember personal info?

Captcha:

Type the characters you see in the picture above.