Lamar odom has shoulder surgery
InsideHoops.com NewsWire | May 15, 2007
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, it was announced today.
The arthroscopic procedure, which lasted 40 minutes, was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum at the Kerlan Jobe Surgery Center in Los Angeles. Odom will wear a sling for 10 days and then begin rehabilitation. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of training camp in October.
Odom, who averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 56 games this season, suffered the injury March 2 vs. Sacramento. After going 0-5 without Odom following the injury, he returned to play in each of the Lakers final 23 contests (including the postseason) with the torn labrum. Despite the injury and an additional 21 game absence due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, Odom finished the season ranked 23rd among league leaders in double-doubles (25) and ninth in minutes played (39.3).
In five postseason contests, Odom averaged 19.4 points and 13.0 rebounds while posting double-doubles in all five games and a playoff career-high 33 points May 2 at Phoenix.
InsideHoops.com Editor Says: The Lakers face a difficult off-season. Superstar Kobe Bryant isn't pretending to be happy with his subpar supporting cast. Aside from Lamar Odom, Bryant has little help. Luke Walton had a good season before getting injured. He's a free agent and while the Lakers would like to keep him Walton is a supporting player best used as a 6th or 7th man. Andrew Bynum is young but just as raw and undeveloped as he was about a year and a half ago. Kwame Brown is a good defender but also best used as a backup or supporting player alongside a dominant power forward or center. Smush Parker is gone, and Jordan Farmar is backup material. The team overachieved in 2006-07 because Bryant is amazing, Odom is very good, and Phil Jackson is a genius. But if the team wants a real shot at a championship, major reworking of the roster needs to take place.
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