So much for bringing Lamar Odom along slowly.

Odom, the gifted 6-10 forward whose reputation has been tainted by a number of well-chronicled incidents, is embarking on a three-day whirlwind love-in to forge a new image with Miami Heat fans.

"A lot has happened to me really fast, and we all make mistakes," the former Los Angeles Clipper said at Wednesday's introductory news conference.

"I'm just ready to put my mistakes behind me... and make the best happen for myself and this organization. I feel like I owe this organization a lot and I'm ready to give back."

Six minutes into the news conference, coach Pat Riley invoked the name of Odom's idol, guard Magic Johnson.

"I'm not saying that (Odom) is that because he's going to have to prove that," Riley said. "I don't think anybody can ever be that way. But from a standpoint of the talent, he has those kinds of skills and we hope we can try to find those here for him to be able to show that."

That wasn't all the Heat did for Odom, 23, who expects to play power forward, small forward, shooting guard and point guard.

Miami's core players -- center Brian Grant, guard Eddie Jones, forward Caron Butler and rookie guard Dwyane Wade -- were at the team's practice facility to welcome Odom.

And it doesn't stop there.

At noon Friday, Odom will have an online chat with fans on the team's Web site, Heat.com. Friday night, he will throw out the first pitch at the Marlins-Expos game.

This is the kind of unprecedented, over-the-top welcome the Heat has chosen to give Odom, who signed a six-year, $65 million contract.

Odom, whose four-year NBA career has been married by injuries and two substance-abuse suspensions, appreciates the warm gesture from his new team.

"Even more for my mental (approach), just to gain come confidence back in myself," Odom said. "With everything I've been through, I'd be lying to say my confidence wasn't shaken in myself. It might carry over to the court. But to be here in this atmosphere, to be treated the way I'm treated is awesome."