Now Odom Says Scoring Isn’t the Key

After further review, Lamar Odom won’t be trying to average 20 points a game.

It’s safe to say his priorities were reorganized after a meeting with Coach Phil Jackson before Wednesday’s practice.

“He said he just wanted me to play my game,” Odom said. “But I’ll still be aggressive in all aspects of the court, whether it’s rebounding, playing defense or shooting the ball. It’s not about averaging 20. I just meant [to] be more aggressive.”

Feeling pressure to score more often, Odom said Tuesday he wanted to average 20 points over the next four games, a declaration quickly shot down by Jackson, who mused that Odom was one of the few Lakers who would distribute the ball.

“Lamar doesn’t hang his hat on scoring,” Jackson said Wednesday. “He hangs his hat on team play, on moving the ball, on getting the ball to open guys.”

Odom has sometimes struggled to find rhythm as the facilitator of Jackson’s triangle offense, a role held by Kobe Bryant for years. On a team in desperate need of a No. 2 scorer, Odom has averaged only 13.9 points, along with 9.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He is shooting 42.9% (down from 47.3% last season) and is only 28.6% from three-point range.

Odom has been a poor finisher around the basket, missing numerous short jumpers and runners. By his own admission, he has also passed up some easy shots underneath by kicking the ball back out.

“He just has to be more assertive,” Bryant said. “It’s tough for him because he’s still trying to figure out where to be in this offense. At the same time, it’s a fine line between being assertive and trying to stay within the system.”

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Bryant, a last-second hero too many times to count in his 10-year career, has been amiss with his 11th-hour efforts this season.

His three-pointer in the final seconds against Philadelphia bounced off the back of the rim and he missed two key shots in the final minute against Chicago.

“It’ll come,” he said, smiling. “I can’t save the day every game. We’ll have games where it doesn’t happen.”

TONIGHT

vs. Seattle, 7:30, TNT

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570,1330.

Records -- Lakers 4-6; SuperSonics 5-6.

Record vs. SuperSonics (2004-05) -- 1-3.

Update -- One of the surprises in the Western Conference last season, the SuperSonics have stumbled this season, losing three games by 41, 27 and 25 points. All-Stars Ray Allen (24.6 points per game) and Rashard Lewis (20.5 points) are the only Seattle players averaging double figures in scoring. The Lakers have not played on Thanksgiving since 1980.