Despite a shin injury that limited his playing time this preseason, Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom is expected to start tonight’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.

If LO does get the start, he will be replacing Pau Gasol, who is questionable for the game with a hamstring injury.

Get ready for No. 7 (Getty Images).

In the absence of center Andrew Bynum, No. 7 started nearly half the Lakers’ games last season, averaging 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He improved those numbers in the playoffs, averaging more than 12 points and nine rebound per game through the Lakers run to the NBA title.

After returning from his injury last week, Lamar had a strong finish to the preseason. No. 7 dropped 16 points on 6-9 shooting in a win against the Golden State Warriors and chipped in 17 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets.

SWINGING BEFORE THE SEASON
To get into shape this summer, LO tried a new routine this year: boxing.

Lamar feels the new regimen, picked up while training at a gym in west L.A during the offseason, will gives his ankles and neck a much better muscle base.

Head coach Phil Jackson is happy with the results, telling the Los Angeles Times that Lamar is in the best shape he’s ever seen him:

“I don’t give any attributes to the boxing class,” Lakers Coach Phil Jackson cracked. “I don’t know what that was all about. But it was probably the only time he’s worked in the off-season. But literally, he’s in better shape than he’s been in before.”

Lamar loved the one-on-one aspect of boxing, as quoted in the LA Times:

“I needed something really combative,” Odom said. “It made me think of defense. It was all footwork. It just made me think about competing at the highest level. It was one-on-one. I don’t get tired. I get my second wind easily.”

FROM BEHIND THE LINE
A career 31 percent three-point shooter, No. 7 shot 50 percent from behind the arc for the preseason, making 8 of his 16 shots. Lamar shot 32 percent from three-point range in the 2008-09 regular season, but drained threes at a torrid pace in last season’s playoffs, where he shot 51 percent from beyond the arc.

If Lamar can continue his sharpshooting once the regular season begins, it will add yet another attribute to the swingman’s multi-dimensional game.

RING’S THE THING
Before Tuesday night’s home opener, the Lakers will receive their NBA Championship rings. It will be LA’s first chance to celebrate their title win inside the Staples Center, after claiming the championship on the road at Amway Arena in Orlando, as noted in the Contra Costa Times:

“Forward Lamar Odom called the ring ceremony “really cool” because the Lakers won the championship in Orlando, Fla. “To be able to relive the moment in front of our home crowd is special,” Odom said.”

The ring is Lamar’s first in 10 NBA seasons.

NEXT UP
The Lakers take on the L.A. Clippers to begin the 2009-10 NBA season at 7:30 PST at the Staples Center. The game can be seen on ESPN.

RELATED STORIES
L.A. Lakers to get championship rings and face Clippers Tuesday night (Contra Costa Times, Oct. 27, 2009)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13650581
Lamar Odom Comes Out Swinging (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 1, 2009)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers-odom1-2009oct01,0,2540950.sto...

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