Despite Benching, Jackson Has Confidence in Brown

There was rhyme and reason to the latest Kwame Brown riddle, Laker Coach Phil Jackson revealed Tuesday.

Brown was benched in the second half of Sunday’s loss to Boston because he did not do a few things on Jackson’s checklist, namely “going after the ball, being energetic, defensively being active, and running the court, and looking for offensive rebounds, and doing those things that make a difference in the energy level of the defense,” Jackson said.

Jackson spoke with Brown on Monday, not so much to hammer home the above, but, in Jackson’s words, “I just wanted to get back to him and tell him, ‘I haven’t lost confidence in you.’ ”

Just the same, Jackson paused six seconds after a reporter asked him before the game whether Brown understood the triangle offense.

“Yeah he does, but I think Kwame’s clarity is really the key,” Jackson said, eventually. “You’ve got to be able to be in your surroundings, your environment, and still be capable of reading and comprehending what else is going on around you. I think that’s where Kwame’s growth pattern is, dropping anxiety, or the energy about trying to do really well, and just kind of getting in the flow of what’s going on.”

Brown did not start Tuesday against Orlando, but he had 11 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes.

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Lamar Odom did not receive an invitation to try out for the U.S. Olympic team, he said Tuesday.

“It is what it is,” said Odom, one of the top players on the U.S. team that took the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics. “That’s their decision. Of course I would like to, but if not, more time for the kids.”

Twenty-two players were invited to USA Basketball’s training camp in July. The list of players, which includes Kobe Bryant, is expected to be announced today.

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The Lakers, 4-9 in the second game of back-to-back situations, have consecutive games this week against Orlando and Portland, then a day of rest, then back-to-back games against Golden State and Detroit.

“That’s when you’ve got to play your best mental games,” Odom said. “Your body’s naturally going to be a little tired.”

The Lakers, 37-21 during their last three championship seasons in the second night of back-to-backs, were 5-14 last season in the category.

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Laker rookie Von Wafer, playing in his first Development League game, had 11 points in 19 minutes Tuesday for the Fort Worth Flyers in a 126-123 loss to the Roanoke (Va.) Dazzle.

TONIGHT

at Portland, 7, Channel 9

Site -- Rose Garden.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 29-28; Trail Blazers 18-38.

Record vs. Trail Blazers -- 1-1.

Update -- The Trail Blazers have the Western Conference’s worst record and have lost six consecutive games.