The Lakers forward recently has become the subject of Coach Phil Jackson's ridicule and one-liners, the coach questioning his play during training camp. Jackson even has said that Odom might be better suited coming off the bench, something the veteran hasn't done since the ninth grade.
Jackson's comments come after an unsettling summer for Odom, whose name was linked with every trade rumor and repeatedly was slammed on fan websites for his lackadaisical play during the NBA Finals.
Yet, Odom remains unscathed, unfazed and tolerant of it all, notably because of what life already has given him. Besides, he said Monday, it's all part of professional basketball.
"It might be bothersome, but it doesn't hurt," he said. "It's something that I come in here and act as if it didn't happen. That's part of the game. I know that when I'm in here, I think I work hard. If you were a trainer in here with me, you would think I work hard, on the court and in the weight room.
"Not playing well isn't not playing hard. If you miss every shot, you're not playing well. You can still be playing hard. I take it with a grain of salt."
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