Turiaf doing a lot more than leading the cheers

It was as if Phil Jackson could no longer ignore the bouncing pogo stick at the end of the bench.

Ronny Turiaf was little more than an energetic curiosity piece his first two seasons with the Lakers, carving a part-time niche by collecting rebounds, floor burns and fan admiration with his short bursts of intensity at power forward -- not to mention his twisting, gyrating dances from the end of the bench after all Lakers plays deemed worthy of a celebration.

Now he’s a starter, practically doubling his points, rebounds and minutes while showing a reliable mid-range jumper to partner with his trademark hustle around the basket.

“It’s nothing different from what I’ve done in the past,” Turiaf said.

Turiaf, 24, is averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25.8 minutes, eclipsing the 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 13.1 minutes he averaged during his first two seasons. He is also shooting 60%, making 18 of 30 shots through four games.

It looks as if he’ll retain his starting job, even when last season’s starting power forward, Lamar Odom, returns to the lineup Friday.

Jackson is not giving any definite answers, but is expected to move Luke Walton to the second unit and slide Odom into the small forward spot.

Walton “would be really good to help that second team,” Jackson said coyly on Wednesday.

Either way, Turiaf has moved a step beyond towel-waving status.

“There’s some things Ronny’s doing that are very good for our team,” Jackson said. “His energy is good on the floor there.”

It’s good timing for the Lakers, who can move Odom a little more out of harm’s way by using Turiaf to bang against the league’s power forwards.

It’s also good timing for Turiaf, who is in the last year of a three-year deal that pays him $770,610 this season, a relative bargain for the Lakers.

Turiaf will be a restricted free agent after the season, with the Lakers able to match if he signs an offer sheet with another team. He cannot be signed to an extension during the season, but he doesn’t seem concerned about it.

“I haven’t thought about it,” he said. “I haven’t even talked to my agent about trying to get an extension and stuff like that.

“Do I look like I don’t like where I’m at? No. Do I look like I don’t love my teammates? No. I love the way the city embraced me, the way they’ve been supporting me throughout my career here.

“If the Lakers want me to stay here, I’m going to be here. If they want to go in a different way, then, sadly, I’m going to have to go a different way.”

Turiaf has come a ways since being drafted 37th overall in 2005.

Just like most second-round picks, he would have come into the league with a non-guaranteed contract. Initially, though, he had other things on his mind.

Turiaf had open-heart surgery in July 2005, the thought of which left him in tears at a pre-surgery news conference in which he pledged to play basketball again but also acknowledged, “I’m scared of dying.”

He underwent successful surgery to have an enlarged aortic root repaired, missed most of the 2005-06 season and became a rotation player last season, appearing in 72 games.

Things have changed for the better for him.

“I’m really enjoying the ride,” Turiaf said. “I’m just happy that Coach Jackson has given me the chance to showcase and be able to help the team more than I used to.”

Odom practiced with contact Wednesday for the first time and could start Friday against Minnesota.

“Lamar looked good . . . really good,” Jackson said. “There’s still some things that he’s going to have to get adjusted to as far as offensive things and being in sync with the guys, but he’s doing well. I’d probably start him [Friday], all things being equal.”

Odom averaged 15.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season.

mike.bresnahan@latimes.com