Suspension Finally Ends for Odom

Clipper forward Lamar Odom went free Wednesday, having served what turned out to be an eight-game suspension for violating the terms of the NBA’s antidrug policy. He is eligible to play tonight against the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center.

“I’m happy to be back on the court,” said Odom, suspended for a minimum of five games without pay Nov. 5. “Hopefully, I’ll be quieter, more focused, more mild-tempered and willing to do anything to help my team.”

Perhaps the best thing Odom can do for the Clippers is stay clean and sober. After all, he has been suspended twice in an eight-month span.

He admitted Nov. 7 he “chose to experiment with marijuana.” In March, sources told The Times that Odom tested positive for marijuana.

There is no three-strikes rule for marijuana use under the terms of the league’s drug policy. However, the NBA can give a three-time offender “an indefinite number of five-game suspensions” that would continue until the league’s medical director determines the player is in full compliance with the marijuana treatment program.

In the future, Odom will undergo random testing. But beyond that, because of the confidential nature of the league’s antidrug policy, it’s impossible to know what other treatment he faces.

As the league said in announcing Odom’s reinstatement, “The NBA, NBA teams and the NBPA [the players’ union] are prohibited from publicly disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any NBA player in the program, other than to announce a player’s suspension, dismissal or reinstatement.”

Said Odom: “I can’t sit here and explain what happened to me. All I can say is that I have to go through steps every day. I wouldn’t say I was in denial. You count your blessings. You have to realize where you are. Not everybody is in my position [as a professional basketball player].”

In March, Odom said he would not get suspended again. When he was reinstated after eight games Wednesday, he made no such promises. But he did say he understood the gravity of his situation.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself,” he said. “I know it’s all about perceptions. I’m 22. I could be just coming out of my senior year in college. We all learn every day. My grandmother is 76 and she’s learning new things every day.... Maybe this will make me a lot better person on and off the court.”

The Clippers rallied around Odom when he was suspended, and they did so again Wednesday.

“Lamar is a great friend,” said Corey Maggette, who replaced Odom as the starting small forward. “It’s all about friendship and caring. I care for the guy.”

Coach Alvin Gentry indicated that Maggette would continue to start for the time being and that Odom would play a reserve role. Gentry made it clear that he was not punishing Odom.

“We’ll work him in slowly,” Gentry said. “He’s going to play. He’s going to play a lot of minutes. We feel like we don’t want to just throw him back in there. We expect that he’s going to struggle some.”

Odom has been slow to recover from a bruised left foot suffered in the Clippers’ loss Nov. 3 against the Golden State Warriors. It was possible he would have been sidelined for all eight games because of the injury.

Certainly, Odom had a bounce in his step and a broad smile on his face during practice Wednesday at L.A. Southwest College.

He said he doesn’t expect his foot to trouble him tonight against the Nets.

“Feel great,” he said. “No pain. It’s just a bad bruise and it’s healing. I’m ready to roll.... I’m going to keep playing my game. I’ll fit right in. I’m not a selfish player. I know people are going to say, ‘They won a few games without him. Do they really need Lamar?”’

The Clippers were 5-3 in Odom’s absence, which included Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers that dropped them to 5-6 overall.

Odom said he is prepared for whatever reception the fans have in store for him tonight and in future games.

“I’m sure it will be mixed,” he said. “I can’t pay too much attention to that. If I play my game, I’m sure they will be on my side. Basketball has been taken away from me twice now. It’s the worst I’ve ever felt. At the same time, it’s nothing compared to the things that happened with the tragedy of Sept. 11. That was terrible. Getting booed is nothing.”