He Learns Some Old Tricks

Although it didn’t last long, it was the type of rough play second-year center Michael Olowokandi has needed since he joined the Clippers.

Elbows up, no push unanswered, inside banging at its best. Olowokandi’s opponent during a drill in Thursday’s practice was 52-year-old Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“It would have been a lot better if we had somebody who would have paid a lot of attention just to post play,” Olowokandi said. “There’s no doubt about it. Kareem just doesn’t come to practice and sit around watching what we do. He’s always giving his input and suggestions all of the time.

“Bringing [Abdul-Jabbar] in wasn’t just a name thing. He knows what he is talking about and he’s trying to help.”

Interim Coach Jim Todd was glad to see Olowokandi work with Abdul-Jabbar, the Clippers’ newest assistant coach.

“I wouldn’t say Michael is not willing to learn, but it takes hard work,” Todd said. “This is on-site training right now. He needs a whole off-season to implement all of these things.

“We all think Michael can still be a very good player down the road. . . . More people I talk to around the league who work with big guys say he’s a four-year work in progress. He’s a big guy who came in without a lot of experience.”

Todd said Olowokandi, who is frequently in foul trouble, has had some success this season.

“He’s played a lot of minutes . . . and his stats have improved this year,” Todd said. “Defensively he’s gotten better and his free throws have gotten better. . . . There’s a lot of heat being the No. 1 pick. The better players you can surround him with, the better he’s going to be.”

With 24 games remaining, Olowokandi has already played more this season than he has in any other season since he began playing organized basketball less than six years ago.

After the season is over, Olowokandi plans to go home to England and Nigeria to rest.

“I’m going to take a little break and then play in as many games as I can,” Olowokandi said. “Last summer, I didn’t do enough of that. I need to play games against as many people as possible. I need experience.”

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Rookie Lamar Odom had an MRI exam on his sore right shoulder and the results were negative. Odom did not practice Thursday but hopes to play Saturday against Cleveland at Staples Center. . . . Backup center Keith Closs was not at practice because of back spasms. Point guard Troy Hudson worked out but is still bothered by stomach pains.