Phil’s Experiment: Odom to Ball-Handling Guard

Veteran forward Lamar Odom has been shifted to ball-handling guard during the exhibition season as part of an experiment by Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson. This news comes on the heels of recent clashing between Jackson and Odom, who has brought the ball up court for the Lakers during the past two days of training camp. Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times points out that if Phil’s plan goes well, the 6 foot 10 Odom could post up smaller point guards, but on the downside the Lakers would lose some of Odom’s offensive rebounding if he remained out on the perimeter.

Also part of Jackson’s trial, Derek Fisher has shifted to a shooting guard position on offense and Kobe Bryant has shifted to small forward. As for the defense, Odom would pick up the opposing small forward, Fisher would shift to point guard and Bryant’s role would be guarding the opponent’s shooting guard. Odom (who averaged 4.4 assists a game in his first nine NBA seasons) has played point guard before; the soon-to-be 29-year-old spent about half a season with the Clippers at point guard earlier on in his career.

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