How do we feel about what Kupchak said about Odom in public?

[rayofsunshine]

I'm asking if it was wise to say it in public? It might be true, but if I was Odom, it might be a distraction and I wouldn't like it.

[tsherkin]

It's a pretty neutral comment, I mean all he said is that he'll do his job before making a decision.

[Mr. Sun]

How I read it is if the Laker's don't go deep they gonna have to figure out how to trim salary.

[Sting3r]

he didnt say anything out of line.

[KDRE]

It's neutral but they don't value Odom for what he does and that's a shame. I'd opt out and leave if I were LO.

[The MVPlaya]

It's neutral but they don't value Odom for what he does and that's a shame. I'd opt out and leave if I were LO.

"For what he does", Odom is not worth 14 million. I wouldn't value him in that respect either.

[MrDollarBills]

Odom is lucky Kupchak didn't say worse. He is not worth the money he is being paid, if i was mitch i lowball him and let him walk.

[TruSkool]

i agree, that odom is about 4-6million per year overpaid....and he is a very good player, but not consistent enough for a 14 mil guy....
but i do think kupchak screwed up making it a public statement...this is mite cause odom his work ethic in the playoffs...and he supposedly steps it up a notch when games matter most.

kupchak would have been fine saying something like "we're not worried about that right now. we're focusing on the playoffs"

[semi-sentient]

"For what he does", Odom is not worth 14 million. I wouldn't value him in that respect either.

^^^ Exactly.

He's the 4th option on the team when everyone is healthy, and that's far too much to be paying for a 4th option. It's great that he's stepped up recently, but his role will diminish once Bynum returns.

[tsherkin]

I think the big problem for Odom is that his largest controibucontributions were as a rebounder and a playmaker. He has been replaced in that first respect by the addition of Gasol and a healthy Bynum and in the second respect, he's actually hurting the team's offense by conflicting with Kobe's spots when Kobe and the point guards (and Gasol) are the better choices.

He's useful if he's paid the proper amount of money but the Lakers don't need to keep paying him that much money for the role he plays.

[a-rod]

-= original quote snipped =-



^^^ Exactly.

He's the 4th option on the team when everyone is healthy, and that's far too much to be paying for a 4th option. It's great that he's stepped up recently, but his role will diminish once Bynum returns.

he's not worth the money he's making and he'd never get that money back in the open market, but his role will not diminish, because hes the ultimate glue guy and role player who can play all 5 positions, he can shot, pass, rebound, hes ultimate multitasker, this guy is the glue. he is the guy you want on your ball club, because he can impact the game in so many ways.

[GreenWithEnvy]

for a guy who has basically answered the call after being put under the bus this season, Lamar deserves to be treated with respect. hes just not being shown it here. but thats the laker way. just air the dirty laundry in public.

[tsherkin]

Mitch was asked if Odom would receive an extension in the summer and he said:

"We want to see how we perform in the playoffs, what the market is like this summer, and most important, how successful our team will be in the playoffs,"

That's not airing dirty laundry or disrespectful; that's a GM making sure that he doesn't commit himself to something that he might not eventually want to do.

[GreenWithEnvy]

why would he say that tho? its a 50 win team. why would u destroy the team if you don't do well in the playoffs? The team as a whole was just constructed this year. Whether Mitch believes it or not Lamar is a big part of what they do. if he recognizes this then he wouldn't be saying "yeah well have to see what happens". seems like theres something going on behind the scenes. maybe mr. bryant is voicing his displeasure?

[celticfan42487]

well I always figured they'd want more of a bruce bowen player then a lamar odom at SF.

But generally when asked a question like that a GM should respond with somewhere along the lines of : I won't comment on that now OR we hope to re-sign [player's name] to a reasonable contract.

[snaquille oatmeal]

a lot of people have forgotten how inconsistant Odom has been. it is only recently that he has been able to streach his consistancy, and by recently I mean the last 2 months as oppossed to the last 3 years with the Lakers.

[MrDollarBills]

How long is Trevor Ariza under contract with LA for? If he's still there they should slide him into the 3 spot and tell Odom to see who is foolish enough to overpay for a 6'11 roll of charmin

[eatyourchildren]

why would he say that tho? its a 50 win team. why would u destroy the team if you don't do well in the playoffs? The team as a whole was just constructed this year. Whether Mitch believes it or not Lamar is a big part of what they do. if he recognizes this then he wouldn't be saying "yeah well have to see what happens". seems like theres something going on behind the scenes. maybe mr. bryant is voicing his displeasure?

LOL. What?

It's not destroying the team. It's called re-negotiating contracts. If Lamar turns into some kind of 30/15 beast in the playoffs, yeah, he deserves that 14 mill he's already earning. But if he shrinks? Then no. That applies to every player looking to resign, not just on the Lakers.

maybe mr. bryant is voicing his displeasure? Haha, that made me laugh

[GreenWithEnvy]

i laughed when he butchered Bynum in an Irvine parking lot this summer then embraced him later that season.

[PharoaheMonch]

I also thought this was odd, the timing is horrible. Right before the playoffs start.