Lamar Gets the Call Againby David Covucci
Lamar Odom is likely to get his second straight start to begin the season, filling in tonight again for the injured Pau Gasol, when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks.
LO performed phenomenally in the season opener, dropping a ridiculous 16/13/5 on the L.A. Clippers.
But the Package will have a much more difficult task in front of him during tonight’s game. Tonight, No. 7 will be going one-on-one against former league MVP Dirk Nowitski.
Lakers head coach Phil Jackson told the Los Angeles Daily News that he will use a mix of Lamar and newcomer Ron Artest to handle the German seven-footer.
“Lamar has had some success against him, but he does have a history of getting into foul trouble. So, we have to be prepared for that. We’ll have to use Ron.”
LUCKY SEVENThe Lakers defeated the Mavericks all three times they played last year. Oddly enough, the Lakers won each game by seven points.
LO was solid in the season series, averaging eight points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game. His best outing against the Mavs came in the middle of March, when he dropped 10 points and grabbed 14 boards in a 107-100 win at the Staples Center. He also chipped in three assists that night.
REST DOES A BODY GOODAlthough No. 7 bruised his shin in the preseason, he showed no ill affects on Tuesday from the injury that forced him to miss several exhibition games.
But there was no secret potion or quick fix.
As the Package told the Los Angeles Times, all he needed was a bit of rest.
“Time off and [trainer] Gary Vitti—that’s the magic formula.”
LISTEN LIKE LAMARIf you want to bump to the same jams Lamar does, follow the Package on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RealLamarOdom.
LO routinely tweets about what he’s up to and listening to. This week, Lamar found a new song to bounce to:
“I’m feeling this song, Electric Feel, by MGMT! Have you all heard it?”
Catch the video for Electric Feel, by MGMT here
NEXT UPThe Lakers look to make it 2-0 to start the season when they play the Dallas Mavericks tonight from the Staples Center at 7:30 p.m. For the second straight game, the Lakers will be broadcast nationwide, this time on ESPN.
RELATED ARTICLESLakers reserves are aware there’s room for improvement (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 30, 2009)http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-fyi30-2009oct30,0,1843008.story
Lakers’ bench mob a non factor (Daily News, Oct. 30, 2009)http://www.dailynews.com/ci_13674287?source=rss
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