Brown Isn’t Set for Return

Injured forward Kwame Brown accompanied the Lakers for their six-game trip, but there’s no telling when he will return to the lineup.

Initial estimates had him out at least two weeks because of a strained hamstring, but the three-week mark will be Friday.

“I’m not projecting anything about Kwame,” Coach Phil Jackson said. “I don’t want to put time limits on injuries like that. There’s nothing you can do about it. He has not recovered in the projected speed of two weeks that was originally projected for him. I’m not putting pressure on him.”

Jackson added with a smile that he mocks Brown’s toughness “every time I see him in the locker room.”

Brown, acquired for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins last August, is averaging 5.9 points and 6.2 rebounds in nine games. Butler is averaging 14.1 points and Atkins is averaging 4.3 points for the Washington Wizards.

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Looks like Mike Krzyzewski will have plenty of options for the Team USA roster.

With some players already committing to the cause for the Beijing Olympics -- All-Stars Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce, to name two -- Lamar Odom wanted to throw his hat into the five rings before it got too late.

The U.S. took a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics after losing to Argentina in the semifinals, but Odom was one of three U.S. players to score in double figures in all three medal-round games.

Odom has tried to contact Jerry Colangelo, Team USA’s managing director.

“I’m doing my best to call Mr. Colangelo, let him know I want to play again,” Odom said. “They’re going to pick who they want to pick.”

Indiana Pacer All-Star forward Jermaine O’Neal said he would commit to Team USA as long as he did not have to play in the 2006 World Championship and perhaps a zone qualifying tournament in two years.

Odom said he would do whatever it takes.

“To get to play USA basketball, that was special for me,” he said.

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Bryant smiled as he explained the concept of being booed at most arenas: “It’s like the cool thing to do. Take a cool drink and bring it to the bar, all of a sudden everybody wants to drink it.”

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TONIGHT

at Toronto, 4 PST

(tape delay, Channel 9, 5:30 PST)

Site -- Air Canada Centre.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 8-9; Raptors 3-16.

Record vs. Raptors (2004-05) -- 1-1.

Update -- The Raptors started off 0-9 and have the league’s second-worst record. Power forward Chris Bosh has been one of the few bright spots for the Raptors, averaging 21.7 points and 10 rebounds.