Lamar Odom has started the season slowly, as he adjusts to playing with the Mavericks and moving to the small forward position.

“I didn't play any small forward with the Lakers,'' Odom said. “It was either me and [Pau] Gasol [on the floor at the same time] or me and [Andrew] Bynum in at the same time.

“The last time I played small forward I was with the Clippers [during the 2002-'03 season].''

The Mavericks also play at a faster pace than the Lakers.

“It's a challenge because he's basically been playing in a trot the last seven years with the Lakers,'' Rick Carlisle said. “They play medium to slow tempo and we're trying to play at up tempo, so there's a big difference.

“He'll get there. It doesn't happen overnight and we've got to stay at it.''