KobeFan wrote:EHL wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Not sure why you continue to parrot this falsehood. List the players that are getting paid an average of $12M annually in the NBA, like Lamar has, and then argue from there that he has played up to his contract.
And if you want to be accurate, he has averaged a double double only once in his career.
Don't be petty. Odom has averaged close to 10 rebs per season since he signed his contract.
Season Rebs
2004 9.7
2005 10.2
2006 9.3
2007 9.7
2008 9.9
He signed an official 6/$65 before the 2002-2003. Trade escalators and interest on a back loaded contract should not be used against him. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?id=1603975
Odom is a 15/10/5 player. Any big man who can put up those numbers but dribble, pass, and run an offense like a point guard brings a unique skill set to the open market.
The market will pay for that skill set, and I hope to god when we lose him, his new fans will appreciate his production.
Amazing that you manage to say in one sentence not to be "petty" about rebounding numbers (even though I am 100% accurate), and then turn around and tell me we shouldn't include trade kicker money in discussing his contract despite the fact that the Lakers must actually pay him that amount of money (and since money is the only real relevance in a contract negotiation, from the Lakers perspective having to pay a trade kicker is absolutely relevant).
In any case, until you do an analysis of similar players with similar contracts, there is no way you can justify the $12M he will have averaged by the time his contract expires. The only getting paid that amount are either clearly overpaid (like Webber used to be a few years ago) or actual All Stars (Prince, Howard, Ginobili, etc.). Though, I had a feeling you would be intellectually dishonest by avoiding and deflecting my original query.
KobeFan wrote:Saying other players have more of an impact on the game, and are more legit "1st/2nd/3rd options" isn't quantitative. And it's an opinion susceptible to false perception.
When I watch the Lakers I see Odom having a tremendous impact on the game. He clearly looks like the 2nd most skilled player on the Lakers. (Pre Pau Gasol)
I've seen Odom save and garner many possessions with his length and instincts. He seems to rebound everything no matter where he's positioned, and is able to get the ball out and create fast breaks with his ball handling and speed. His shooting is streaky, but he can step outside and knock down an open three when he's on.
This type of versatility and skill set is both valuable & scarce in the NBA.
You, yourself, may believe this to be so, as impact beyond statistics is indeed hard to quantify. However, the overwhelming majority of subjective data supports those of us who claim he doesn't have much impact beyond his stats; one need look no further than his 0 All Star appearances, 0 All NBA selections, 0 All Defense Teams, and less than 1% chance of making the Hall of Fame. All subjective indicators, but all clearly point to our opinion on LO being far more based in reality.
