RealGM

What is it with Lamar these days. He's like 20/10 the past 10 games, well he's been really good. Has Gasol made Odom a much better player? Or does he just thrive as the 3rd option. Everyone credits the Laker's success to Kobe and Gasol, but Odom deserves a lot of credit.

I know right?

lately I've been seeing Kobe, Lamar and Gasol getting 10+ boards each

I think you might have wanted to post that here: http://realgm.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=19

fugop wrote:I think you might have wanted to post that here: http://realgm.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=19

Why, Odom deserves attention from all teams.

The pressure is no longer on Odom to produce on offense.

Odom demands a 20-10 salary as long as he does not have to produce 20-10 and only then will he give you 20-10...yeah, I know I am confused too.

It's because he's the 3rd option now, when he was the 2nd option he had too much pressure and tried to do too much, now with Gasol he can play HIS game.

"To put the gap in perspective - the gap between LeBron and Kobe is the same as the gap between Kobe and Shawn Marion"
LOL oh my

As others have said, Odom is just more comfortable as the 3rd option, where he can just play off of the main guys. In basketball terms, the biggest difference in his game since Pau arrived is that he's now diving towards the basket more often. He and Pau are both able to see above the defenses so they get a nice little 2 man game going.

When you have Pau with the ball in the post and Kobe out on the perimeter, you think defenses are going to be watching Odom cutting to the basket? He's getting open layups now and that's the biggest difference. He was always a good rebounder and that hasn't changed. But the Lakers still need Bynum because they've been getting killed on the glass by teams in the West.

Odom has become an important, versatile 3rd or fourth option. Kind of like Marion was for the Suns. His versatility brings a lot to the Laker team.

Since the Gasol trade Odom has put up:

38 MPG, 14.4375PPG, 11.625RPG, 4APG, 0.94BPG, 0.75SPG off 61.5% from the field

Talk about a new player

He just feel better being the 3rd or 4th option that all. He's been putting up great numbers I can only think that it will get better once Bynum gets bcak. I think his rebounds will go down when Bynum comes back but is dimes should be around 5 or so.

FGM-FGA 6.1-9.9
FG% 61.798
3PM-3PA 0.4-0.9
3PM-3PA .500
STL 0.78
BLK 1.33
TO 1.9
OFF 3.1
DEF 8.3
TOT 11.4
AST 2.9
PTS 15.4

tracey_nice wrote:"To put the gap in perspective - the gap between LeBron and Kobe is the same as the gap between Kobe and Shawn Marion"
LOL oh my

So Marion and LeBron are at the same level behind Kobe?

It's the same reason why Amare's numbers went up when Shaq went to the suns. The PF always benefits from a Big center that draws double teams.

I so can't wait till he lefts the Lakers one way or another. Them spoiled a$$ fans for the most part don't appreicate him and criticize him as if he was Darko or Kwame Brown.