Lamar Odom

[MAMBAEMD]

^ Apparently they spend to much time posting on the internet and not watching Laker basketball.

Laker fans have been watching years of inconsistent play from Odom.
True that he has been playing better the last 2-3 weeks but that does not erase many years of inconsistent play with the Lakers and with other teams.

I think there is some merit to the discussion that because of the emergence of Bynum and Farmar and due to the great play by DFish that Lamar is not under the microscope as much (it also helps that the Lakers have been winning) and that helps relieve some pressure off of him. This only supports the notion that he is not a very good second option and functions much better as a 3rd or even 4th option.

[Jajwanda]

What would make sense would be if Odom dedicated himself to the power foward position finally. He needs to work on his mid-range jumper, develop some kind of right handed move, and get back his 05-06 bulk.

Then he'll be an advantage power forward.

[MAMBAEMD]

Odom has ben playing better at the PF slot.
Since the Ariza trade, Luke and Ariza have been taking up the minutes at the 3 and Odom has been pushed to the 4, away from the perimeter and closer to the basket where he belongs.
That's why his rebounding numbers have gone up.
He has been much more effective at the 4.

[zen_4_10]

Odom is 2nd on the team in scoring and 2nd on the team in rebounding...doesn't sound like a 3rd/ 4th option to me...

[MAMBAEMD]

I think statistics are a bit deceiving in this case.
Although he may be second in scoring and rebounding on the Lakers, I think most of us would agree that he has not established himself as a second option on this team.
A second option is one that the players look for consistently when the first option is either out of the game or when he is covered.
Do you really think the Laker players look for Lamar when Kobe is out or when he is out of a play? I don't hink so.

The fact that Lamar is second in those statistical categories may be more a function of the type of offense the Lakers run where everyone touches the ball(if run appropriately) and spacing allows players to be in good positions to score, and not necessarily because they go to him as a second option when there is a need.

Just think what Lamar can be when he aggressively asserts himself in postions where he can do damage, as opposed to standing near the 3 point line and shooting outside shots which he had been doing for most of the season until the Ariza trade which forced him to move closer to the basket at the 4 spot and be a better rebounder.

[Teen Girl Squad]

No one is saying hes emerged as a second option. But so far this team hasnt needed a "second option" becau options 2-6 are all averaging double figures (or close of). Lamar is fitting in much better within what he brings and what we need. Would we like a better two way player like a JO? sure but all of a sudden in not nearly the necessity it once was.

[Sedale Threatt]

When we get big scoring contributions from somebody besides Odom -- usually Bynum or Fisher -- it tends to augment his strengths (rebounding, playmaking) and cover up his weaknesses (shooting, assertiveness).

Take last night. Fish gives us 26 points, and Odom's scoring isn't even an issue. He's free to pick and choose his shots, and giving us big contributions elsewhere with 15 rebounds and six assists. On the other hand, if Fish (or Bynum in other games) doesn't come up big in the scoring column, we'd all be complaining -- with me near the front of the line -- about Odom's measly 10 points.

My take on Odom after watching him for three-plus years -- expect him to be a consistent, high-level scorer, and you're always going to be disappointed. He simply doesn't have the game or the mentality to handle that responsibility.

It's kind of like actors. Some are stars, and some are better in supporting roles. Odom is very much a supporting actor.

As such, when the contributions of others allow him to settle into a complimentary role and fill up the stat sheet, he's an extremely valuable member of our ensemble.

Is that worth $14 million a year? Probably not. But it's what we have, and it looks better and better with Bynum blossoming and Fisher playing at a career-high level.

[Sedale Threatt]

No one is saying hes emerged as a second option. But so far this team hasnt needed a "second option" becau options 2-6 are all averaging double figures (or close of). Lamar is fitting in much better within what he brings and what we need. Would we like a better two way player like a JO? sure but all of a sudden in not nearly the necessity it once was.

+1

[Leonidas]

If Lamar was only making around 7 million per year i dont think we would be having this discussion.

right on......

[zen_4_10]

We should trade Odom for Kenyon Martin to REALLY give some posters something to bitch about.

Odom plays like a dope sometimes but all in all I like him on this team and as the year goes along he tends to get better and peaks come playoff time. Not a bad thing if the rest of the team can maintain it's productivity.

[Tonyism74]

Hmmm..I thought for a brief moment that it was Bynum and Kobe's team now, but Greg Anthony made a good comment last night. This may be ideal for Lamar to play more loosely and freely as a playmaker and facilitator without the burden and pressure of being the second guy. Lamar can somewhat roam into what is needed of him without the pressure. Kobe, Bynum and Fisher have eased things. This is when we could see Lamar being as effective as he can possibly be.

I remember when he played for Miami, that team had great chemistry because on any given night he could be the first, second or third option since there was balance and freedom given to him with other good scorers like Caron and Wade.

This situation might be the best opportunity for Lamar and I dont think we should trade him. THis role may allow him to rise up to the occassions.