The Los Angeles Lakers will receive their 2008-2009 NBA championship rings at Staples Center Tuesday night, then begin the 2009-2010 season by facing the Los Angeles Clippers.

Forward Lamar Odom called the ring ceremony "really cool" because the Lakers won the championship in Orlando, Fla. "To be able to relive the moment in front of our home crowd is special," Odom said.

The ceremony is planned to begin promptly at 7:15 p.m. The Lakers are encouraging fans to be in their seats no later than 7:10 p.m. and give themselves plenty of time to get to the game.

In addition to the sellout crowd of 18,997 for the game, there will be further congestion around Staples Center for the premiere of the Michael Jackson concert film, "This Is It" at the adjacent Nokia Theatre, and the grand opening of the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 theatre, with all 14 theatres showing "This Is It."

Besides the 12 returning players from last season's championship team, one player from each of the Lakers' previous nine championship teams in Los Angeles will also participate in the ceremony, part of the celebration of the team's 50th season in Los Angeles.

The past players set to participate are Jerry West (1971-72); Norm Nixon (1979-80); Jamaal Wilkes (1981-82); James Worthy (1984-85); Michael Cooper (1986-87); Magic Johnson (1987-88); A.C. Green (1999-2000); Rick Fox (2000- 2001); and Robert Horry (2001-2002).

The Laker players will wear a special anniversary jacket when they receive

their rings and the championship banner is raised. The back of the Lakers anniversary jacket includes 15 stars, similar to the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one in honor of each championship the franchise has won. (The Lakers won five championships in Minneapolis.)

The Lakers will have a champions patch on their jerseys featuring the Larry O'Brien Trophy, annually awarded to the league champion, and the number 15.

The Lakers have lost two of the last three times on the night of a ring ceremony and have a 5-4 all-time record in home openers in Los Angeles after winning championships.

"It's very difficult to win on ring night," said coach Phil Jackson, who set an NBA record in June by winning his 10th championship as a coach, four with the Lakers and six with the Chicago Bulls.

"The distractions are great. People are living in the past. You're only a success the moment you complete a successful act. That's one of the things we tell these players.

"Last year's success was over in June. We're almost in November now. It's game time. We have to remember that."

Adding to the Lakers' challenge Tuesday night is the possible absence of forward-center Pau Gasol, who is listed as doubtful because of a strained right hamstring. Gasol's availability will be a game-time decision, Jackson said.

The Clippers, who lost their last eight games against the Lakers, will be without forward Blake Griffin, the first choice in June's NBA Draft.

Griffin suffered a stress fracture of his left patella during the Clippers' final exhibition game Friday night. He may miss up to six weeks, a team official said Monday night.