After averaging 18.2 points and 11.7 rebounds, while averaging a team-high 42.8 minutes during the Lakers’ six-game Western Conference semi-final playoff series elimination of the Utah Jazz, Lakers forward Lamar Odom’s production took a nose dive in the next two rounds.
In the five-game Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, Odom averaged 12.8 points and 9.6 rebounds and then in the NBA finals, in which the Boston Celtics defeated the Lakers in six games, Odom averaged 13.5 points and nine rebounds.
It turns out that there was a justifiable reason why Odom’s numbers dipped. By the time the Western Conference finals rolled around, he was suffering badly from tendinitis in both of his knees.
Odom’s condition in his right knee became so bad that he seriously considered having arthroscopic surgery this summer.
However, he opted for an extended rest and the pain dissipated. His knees improved to the point where Odom was able to spend a portion of August working out in Las Vegas with a number of other NBA players, including newly-signed Clippers guard Baron Davis and NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics.
In addition to his knee condition, Odom suffered another slight setback this summer. The day before his youth basketball camp, held at the new Hangar Athletic Xchange, Odom was strickened with food poisoning.
However, his stomach has stopped churning and with his knees healthy, Odom is expected to be at full strength when the Lakers open training camp in four weeks.
I knew it… when I wanted LO to dunk it on Garnetts face he opted to go for the layup which did nothing but confuse me. LO is a beast, thus a basketball freak of nature and the man should dominate on the court in most positions when healthy. But having tendinitis in both kness can surely have a negative impact on your game. Lo is not one of those players that succed their goals when injured but should get a lot of respect for playing through the pain. Lakers NBA Champions 2009!!