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http://www.pe.com/sports/basketball/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_lakers_notes_07.3420af8.html
[h5][size=-1]12:12 AM PST on Monday, January 7, 2008[/size][/h5]
By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise
LOS ANGELES - His emotions can get the best of him at times, like when Lamar Odom tackled Boston's Ray Allen during a recent loss and was called for a flagrant foul.
But for the most part, Coach Phil Jackson doesn't have an issue with Odom's emotions.
Jackson wants Odom to keep things in check and not lose control. He doesn't want Odom to miss any more games, like he did Friday night while serving a one-game suspension for his foul on Allen.
Odom returned Sunday night, kept cool in a game in which a couple of technical fouls were called, and finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds against the Pacers.
Jackson said he usually likes Odom's attitude "because he plays with a certain air of freedom; he's loose.
"There are times when he can't let things go. Things don't happen right for him and he might get a refereeing call (against him) and he doesn't let it go. Those are times when I'd like for him to relax."
Jackson said he tries to help his players any way he can -- "Doing the cleansing breath; those type of things."
Kobe Keeping His Cool
In past seasons, Kobe Bryant had a bad habit of picking up technical fouls for arguing with the referees too much. But he has toned that down this season.
"Yeah, I'm very pleased," Jackson said.
Jackson recalled that Bryant got a technical foul against Utah, but it was in speaking up for a teammate.
"Other than that, he's been very controlled and stays off them a little bit," Jackson said. "We talked a lot about that during the offseason, about that ability to let those things go."
Jackson said he believed Michael Jordan was fouled on every play when he coached the Bulls. He said coaches and players would tell the referees, "Don't give him those cheap calls."
Jackson said the referees seemed to agree and didn't give Jordan the calls because he "was good enough to do it anyway."
"You just watch it in amazement," Jackson said.
Kwame Quick to the Post
Kwame Brown's conditioning is slowly improving since returning from a sprained left ankle and knee five games ago. He had eight points in 13 minutes.
Jackson said Brown has been doing a nice job in sprinting to the post.
"That's the strength of his game right now," Jackson said. "He's not as comfortable just catching (the ball) on the post and activating the ball."
Injury Updates
Sasha Vujacic (back) and Vladimir Radmanovic (ankle) both missed a second straight game.
Damn Phil..... I don't know about all that...
