Lamar as initiator

[andykeikei]

When Bynum comes back, do you think we should move him back to the role of initiator in the triangle?
He is practically our 5th scoring option now and the pressure is off. He would do a better job than last couple seasons. I mean, what else do we need him to do? Rebound? Defense? Shoot? We have guys that are better than him sitting on the bench. What do you think?

[That Nicka]

Whatever role he has been playing the last 3 games, keep him there

[iamworthy]

Whatever role he has been playing the last 3 games, keep him there

[EHL]

He's not the best passer on the team nor is he the best decision-maker, so no. And Phil had a reason for demoting him from that role in 05-06, after all. Though perhaps he actually is forced to do more of that when Bynum comes back and he moves to SF. It might happen out of necessity.

[Taiwan Killa]

As an SF in the triangle he can pretty much either

1. Initiate
2. Be an attacker from the wing (like MJ)
3. Be a shooter

[milesfides]

That is Odom's biggest challenge, as I've written in another thread.

Odom has struggled with this in the past, even this very season. He has trouble as a primary facilitator in the triangle offense. It's almost inexplicable, nobody can explain it. Tex Winters is at a loss for words, and Phil changed Odom's role back to rebounding, and powering the break on a rebound.

In my opinion, the answer is very simple, courtesy of Ockham's Razor. Odom is just not a good halfcourt passer (or player). His basketball instincts are run-and-gun, uptempo offense, with the ball in his hands. That's when he's at his most productive, that's his natural game, and that's where he feels most comfortable.

When Odom has to think and execute, that's where he struggles. Some call that low BB IQ. I just call it the "point guard" misnomer, because while Odom has the handle and the desire to be a point guard playmaker, he doesn't THINK the game or SEE the game like a true point guard.

That being said, I've always respected Odom for his unselfishness and desire to help the team. I really hope he's finally able to overcome this upcoming challenge, to become a playmaker and an effective role player, to not disappear on the court. Because the things that he struggled with before are going to become even bigger challenges when Bynum returns.

It's going to make or break him in terms of his future in P & G.

[critical_beatdown]

Offensively, Lamar will become our PG, and he is a very good passer in the halfcourt game. Also, Tex is not at a loss for words about why Lamar isn't a better playmaker in the Tri, especially since he basically has put up almost a 3:1 A:TO ratio over the last 6 weeks. Tex was more mystified as to why Lamar was not shooting well and not "finding his way" with the team as he has done in the past, which had little to nothing to do with Lamar being "facilitator" because that wasn't and hasn't been his role this season (though I expect it will be when Drew returns, and that Lamar will flourish in this role).

[EiRON]

Whatever role he has been playing the last 3 games, keep him there

+1

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Whatever role he has been playing the last 3 games, keep him there

[EHL]

miles, agreed. Odom is definitely more of an instinctual player than one that can execute set plays. Add that to his generally timid nature and his penchant to get taken out of his game mentally by refs/good defenders, and it helps explain why he always struggles to get his shot unless there are literally no other scoring challengers next to him. Notice how well Gasol and Bynum play off Kobe despite his ultra-aggressive nature, and even guys like Turiaf to an extent. All those guys go hard to the rim for finishes, while Odom just hasn't shown an ability to move off the ball this season nor dive hard period.

Therefore, I think it would benefit the Lakers, knowing how passive he is by his nature, to use him a guy that swings it around the perimeter and makes decisions off broken plays, not in half court sets where he can't read elite defenses. Though I think his ballhandling days are over now that he'll be relegated to 4th option status when Bynum comes back. At that point he'll have to find his jumper or he's gone within a year.

[EHL]

^ Actually, maybe he'll be used more in the 2nd unit? After all, the whole reason he plays so many minutes is because he works better without Kobe, so maybe more time with the bench will be good for him.

[critical_beatdown]

Lamar doesn't play so many minutes because he plays better without Kobe, since anyone can see that's not the case, especially this season, he plays so much because he's a great basketball player, whether or not he's racking up stats on any particular night.

[EHL]

Yes, clearly Lamar Odom is a great basketball player.

[KObe Bryant]

odom still a player for 15/10 and 4