Odom Is Waiting on Olympics

Some of the big names have already RSVP’d to the party, but Lamar Odom continues to wait for the invitation.

Kobe Bryant has already committed to the cause, as has Boston Celtic All-Star Paul Pierce, but Odom hasn’t been asked to play for the U.S. in the 2008 Olympics.

A member of the U.S. basketball team in 2004, Odom will meet with Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo when the Lakers play Jan. 20 in Phoenix, Odom said.

“He said he’d rather talk face-to-face than over the phone,” Odom said.

Colangelo has aggressively courted several perennial All-Stars because he is requiring a stronger commitment than in recent years. Team members could be asked to play over the summer in the 2006 World Championship and perhaps a zone qualifying tournament next year.

The increased dedication stems from the U.S. taking only a bronze in Athens after losing to Argentina in the semifinals.

“I think we had our chests out a little bit too much, like we thought we couldn’t lose,” Odom said.

One of three U.S. players to score in double figures in all three medal-round games, Odom wants another chance with Team USA.

“I hope so,” he said.

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Laker draft pick Ronny Turiaf, averaging 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds for the CBA’s Yakima (Wash.) Sun Kings, needs a little more seasoning before the Lakers consider signing him, Coach Phil Jackson said.

“He’s not going to be in shape to play [NBA] basketball yet for a while,” Jackson said. “It’s a matter of giving it time.”

Turiaf was drafted 37th by the Lakers in June and underwent open-heart surgery a month later to repair an enlarged aortic root.

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The Lakers’ other second-round pick, Von Wafer, set a couple of career highs Tuesday against Utah.

He had nine points in 17 minutes, making three of nine shots and taking two rebounds. He muffed a dunk attempt in the second quarter, the ball slipping out of his hands and feathering under the rim.

“I was a little bit too excited,” he said. “I need to calm down a little bit.”