USA - Shoulder surgery awaits Lakers' Odom
It's the playoffs, and Lamar Odom knows he must play in pain. When the season is over, Odom said he'll wait a week and then have surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder
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It's the playoffs, and Lamar Odom knows he must play in pain.
When the season is over, Odom said he'll wait a week and then have surgery to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder.
"Surgery is my only option to correct it," said Odom, who missed five games with the injury.
Odom had surgery on the same shoulder two years ago and was out four months, his rehabilitation lasting into training camp.
Odom said this surgery won't sideline him as long, but it probably means he won't be able to play for Team USA in the FIBA Americas Championships from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2.
Odom, who had 17 points and 16 rebounds in 40 minutes Sunday at Phoenix, suffered a cut on his left eyebrow that required five stitches to close when he was hit by Steve Nash after getting an offensive rebound.
"One of those guys got me pretty good," Odom said. "I'm looking forward to next game to get somebody back. It's not that serious, but it happens."
Key Points From Game 1
Jordan Farmar, making his third career start and first in the playoffs, had nine points, two steals, two assists and four fouls in 31 minutes. He also helped hold Nash to 7-of-17 shooting. Smush Parker, meanwhile, played 10 scoreless minutes.
The Lakers' bench was outscored 31-8.
The Lakers' inside attack wasn't as good as the Suns' -- Phoenix had a 48-46 edge in points in the paint.
One Break That Wasn't
Coach Phil Jackson said he called a 20-second timeout with 2:38 left in the second quarter Sunday and figured it would roll into a television timeout.
But late in the third quarter the Lakers noticed they had fewer timeouts than they thought, and it caused Jackson and trainer Gary Vitti to become irate.
Jackson said they were charged with a full timeout in the second quarter, not a 20.
"But this refereeing crew, which was dubious at best today, missed that call," he said.
Intense Time for Mihm, Too
These are "nerve-racking" times for Chris Mihm, who has missed the entire season after having his right ankle operated on twice. He's in the last year of a contract that pays him $4.2 million and will be a free agent.
Mihm wants to return to the Lakers. He had career numbers his first two years in LA, averaging 9.8 and then 10.2 points.
"As long as I can show that I'm going to come back as strong or stronger on this ankle, things will work their way out," he said.
Mihm said he'll start running in two to three weeks.
"Come July 1, I want to have the ankle 100 percent and show the Lakers that I'm healthy," he said.