"Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was engaged in an interview with the

media today when forward Lamar Odom walked by.

"Get 'em off me, coach,'' Odom said. "Get 'em off me, coach."

When Carlisle was asked why should the media get off Odom, Carlisle asked: "Why should you be off of Lamar? I don't know, are you on him?''

Actually, Odom has been criticized for not playing up to the fans' expectations. That reached a crescendo during Wednesday's 105-90 home loss to Minnesota when Odom was

just 2-of-14 from the field and tallied only five points.

"Hey, listen, we believe in Lamar,'' Carlisle said. "This has been a struggle so far, but this guy can play."