MANILA, Philippines -- Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu is tempering expectations of what Lamar Odom can do, as the former NBA player reinforces the team in the Dubai International Basketball Championship in February.

Shortly after Odom's second practice with the team on Thursday, Tiu said that the ex-Los Angeles Laker was "still trying to find his rhythm."

"Let’s be realistic, he hasn’t played basketball in a real team setup in what? About 5 years?" Tiu pointed out.

Odom last played in the NBA in 2014 for the New York Knicks. But he struggled through deep personal issues in the following year, and suffered through strokes and heart failure in 2015. He eventually recovered, and even planned to see action in China in 2018 before deciding that he was not yet physically fit.

His stint in Mighty Sports, thus, will be his first real taste of basketball action in half a decade.

Odom has assured that he is in good physical condition, and Tiu commended him for practicing on Wednesday shortly after his arrival in Manila.

"He practiced right away with us. He looked better yesterday (Wednesday) kasi siguro mas fresh," the coach said. "Today (Thursday) I think he’s feeling his joints, a bit tight, so he’s a bit beat up. But he’s still going through every practice, doesn’t complain."

"You can tell that he’s trying to find his rhythm, but I like that he’s very excited for the tournament. So you know, hopefully, the next few days, he can get his game going a bit," he added.

Even as he acknowledged that Odom is still finding his rhythm, Tiu did acknowledge that they are expecting a lot from the former Laker, who was the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year in 2011.

"But again," Tiu quickly added, "Let's face the facts. He is 39 years old already."

"The good thing is, we have 3 imports, with Justin Brownlee and Randolph Morris. So at least, we can rotate them well," he said.

Ultimately, even if Odom is unable to dominate games for Mighty Sports, he should still be able to provide quality minutes, according to Tiu. Moreover, he should be a leader for a squad that includes plenty of young players.

"He's a leader out there," said Tiu. "We know what he can do – bring down the ball for us, maybe shoot a bit, he could pass the ball, defend."

"Those are the things that I think he’d be able to help our team."

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website).