The Lakers Nation

Veteran forward, in Jackson’s doghouse after snowboarding mishap last season, has made a big contribution on offense during three-game win streak.

L.A. Times: Lost in the fine print of the Lakers’ three-game run was the effort by the guy once referred to as, well, lost.

Phil Jackson uncorked one of his more memorable quotes when he called Vladimir Radmanovic a “space cadet” last season, but the recent play of the 27-year-old forward has helped keep the Lakers orbiting above the rest of the Western Conference.

In the last three games, all victories for the short-handed Lakers, Radmanovic averaged 15.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 56.3% shooting from three-point range (nine for 16).

He traces it to a fiery exchange with Jackson on the bench during a timeout in the third quarter of the Lakers’ 102-100 victory over Dallas on Tuesday.

Jackson wasn’t thrilled with Radmanovic’s defense. Radmanovic wasn’t thrilled with being called out.

“P.J. got me really [angry] that game,” he said. “I think that triggered that side of me, which is good for the Lakers. With Pau [Gasol] being out, obviously we need more guys to step up and do something. We didn’t do it the first few games on the road [without him].”

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