What Does Lamar Need To Improve

[Anklebreaker702]

Everyone here has made good points so I'll put a different spin on it. Lamar needs to do "it" in crunch games, whatever "it" is. Most players that like to play the silent killer role always find a way to get in where they fit in without disappearing. Whether it's a dagger bucket, blocked shot, steal etc. Lamar has to always find that "it" factor if he's comfortable in that 3rd wheel role

[Luxury]

Half a brain, I would say thats a start. Like ive said for years, and I will stick to it, THE LAKERS WILL NOT WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH LAMAR ODOM.

Our current squad that made the NBA Finals are legitimately good enough on paper to beat some of the previous Championship teams.

[Jajwanda]

This inconsistency garbage is a bunch of crap. It's his damn jump shot that's the problem not his showing up. He didn't show up against San Antonio because they know how to play D against him, the same with Boston. It happens every year and people think he's not consistent. He's limited. He's not as talented as people think. No jump shot in my book is a major fault for a NBA player.

Trade him for Shawn Marion. Don't waste money on Posey, Vujajic, and Brent Barry. Just trade for Marion.

[GuyverX]

Lamar needs more heart.

Yes, but unfortunately you can't practice improving that on your own at the gym.

[Gerald3Wallace]

Half a brain, I would say thats a start. Like ive said for years, and I will stick to it, THE LAKERS WILL NOT WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH LAMAR ODOM.

even if we have this lineup??

pg- cp3/billups
sg- kobe/ginobili
sf- bron/artest
pf- bosh/odom
c- howard/bynum

lol

but ya..odom needs to work and his jumpshot...and i agree with iamworthy also...if he can go right and have a consistant jumpshot..we'll be fine

I would say yes if we face this lineup:

Pg: D-Williams/Nash
SG: D-Wade/T-Mac
Sf: Pierce/Battier
PF: KG/Brand
C: Duncan/Amare

ehh...id still think cp3/kobe/bron/howard would demolish that team...

[milesfides]

Lamar needs to improve his outside shot, but he also needs to improve his decision-making. He needs to be more decisive, he needs to take that shot when it's there, with confidence, he needs to drive if it's there, he needs to pass if the pass is there. Lamar has been plagued with indecisiveness, whether it's due to a lack of confidence, understanding of the offense, or whatever.

That's the biggest problem with him, because I don't see him really meshing well with anybody. He doesn't really help anybody's game because he isn't reacting properly.

Skill-wise, obviously he can improve his jump shot, but he also needs to move without the ball. He needs to make himself a threat throughout the entire game.

To be absolutely blunt, Odom has mostly been a one-on-one player with the Lakers, because it's the only offense that has is comfortable with. Isolation on the offside, he'll try to take his man to the basket. Or he'll take it coast to coast all the way to the basket.

He has added one wrinkle to his game: when Gasol has the ball in the high post, now he's cutting a coupe times a game towards the basket - down the middle. It's not very creative, he does the same move, but at least he's added something.

Too much watching + isolation. Odom needs to do everything a lot more decisively, because it seems like his teammates don't know what to expect from him. He needs to involve himself in offense. With Bynum due back, I don't know how Odom's going to respond. Odom's going to get even fewer touches, but he needs to make them meaningful.

It's absolutely imperative that Odom improves his shot, movement without the ball, and decisiveness. His new role will demand that from him.

[MAMBAEMD]

Lamar is the most inconsistent NBA player in recent history. I'm amazed at those who don't see inconsistency in his game.
Lamar will aggressively take the ball to the basket one night, and the next night completely abandon that aspect of his game.
How many games did we watch him play in the playoffs where we were begginh him to take the ball to the hole? He would do it some nights and would abandon it on other nights.
He also has to hit the boards more consistently. The Lakers do very well when he is agrressive on the glass (I'd like to know our winning % in games Lamar has more than 12 rebounds)

I agree that he would really help the Lakers if he developed a consistent outside game, I don't see that happening. He is simply not a good outside shooter and I don't believe he has the drive to become a good shooter. He would need to hit the gym the entire summer and shoot a thousand ouside shots everyday. Again, I don't see that happening.
Last, if he could develop a solid pick and roll game with Kobe, that would be key.

[tkb]

For people who only look at the points column, Odom might seem like an inconsistent player. If you look at his game from an overall standpoint, he isn't inconsistent IMO.

He always rebounds and he always passes well. His scoring might be a bit inconsistent, but I really don't think Lamar is as inconsistent as people try to spin it. Looking at his scoring the second half of the season there is little evidence that he was inconsistent in that department too. I really think Lamar has found his role on this team. Sure the Celtics series sucked, but I think we'll bounce back alright.

[hermes]

His brain.

Lamar needs more heart.

http://tfootitt.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/wizard-of-oz.jpg
nothing a vacation to kansas couldn't fix

[Kilroy]

I anticipate a lot of people being pretty upset with Odom by mid season if he stays...

I really think he's going to go from a 20/10 threat day in and day out, to a 15/5 threat on a good night..

But if he plays his roll and hits the right 15 points and 5 rebounds, he'll be exactly what this team needs and the Lakers will be successfull...

With Bynum and Gasol down low and Kobe making many of the cuts, he won't be getting the easy put backs around the basket. He won't be grabbing boards all night with all that competition either. In order for him to remain in the starting lineup, he's going to have to make probably one of the biggest adjustments any NBA player has ever made.

In order for him to do that he needs to develop around a 50% outside shot. He's not going to get many touches but when he does, just about all of them have to count.

He's going to have to speed up his release. Most of his looks will be of the catch-and-shoot variety so he's going to have to loose that 'put it on the floor and try to create something' mentality. If he plays SF or SG for us on O, I really don't think the abillity to go right or create off the dribble will be as crucial as a pick and pop shot... Think Ray Allen to Kobe as PP...

He has to develop some excellent moving without the ball skills. Either he will be the distributer at the top of the arch or he's going to have to learn how to move without the ball in his hands. He doesn't really do any of that now so this might be his biggest adjustment. It also goes back to the developing brains point others have made...

On D, he'll have to figure out how to adjust and stay in front of his man. He might be gaurding some Quick guys and he will be able to use his length and stay off of them a bit but he needs to react when they drive or they will eat him alive.

He needs that brain everyone has mentioned on D too because he's not going to be needed on the boards as much as he will as a help defender. Unfortuanately Odom still makes some silly mistakes on help-D. His rotations need to be crisper and his reactions to the Offensive looks need to be quicker. This is by far his biggest problem on D as a PF, it will be even more important as a SF or SG. He's got to learn how to pick up his man off of pick and rolls and fight through screens.

It's actually a pretty big challenge for Odom and the more I think about it, I find it highly unlikely he remains in the Starting lineup...

That being said, we could concievably have two starting NBA teams available to us with:

Fish
Kobe
Ariza
Gasol
Bynum

And

Farmar
Sasha
Luke
Odom
Turiaf

If I was Odom at this stage in his career, I don't know if I'd accept a bench roll, but if he did, we could have a pretty scary 'B' Team to go with one of the best Starting 5s in the league. It would also allow our stars some solid rest too...

It's an option.

[LLcoleJ]

For people who only look at the points column, Odom might seem like an inconsistent player. If you look at his game from an overall standpoint, he isn't inconsistent IMO.

He always rebounds and he always passes well. His scoring might be a bit inconsistent, but I really don't think Lamar is as inconsistent as people try to spin it. Looking at his scoring the second half of the season there is little evidence that he was inconsistent in that department too. I really think Lamar has found his role on this team. Sure the Celtics series sucked, but I think we'll bounce back alright.

The inconsistent point I brought up is not even about if overall game. Its when he puts his stamp on a game we consistently play better and usually win. When he is back in the shadows then we usually struggle. Its not about being the 2nd or 3rd option.. its about being aggressive night in and night out. If he is able to bring that intensity in every game then I have no issues with him. He needs to consistently be aggressive.

[MAMBAEMD]

I completely agree with Phil
What is inconsistent with Lamar is his effort.
There are plenty of players in the league that can rebound and score, but what often seperates great players from good ones is consistent effort, hustle, and aggressiveness.
Lamar, to me, has never shown consistency in those categories.

[MikeyMike]

Lamar is Lamar. He will stay the same. Expecting to do things differently or better at this stage of his career is asking too much.

Did he stay the same this year Mikey"Kobe will never be as good as Jordan?"Mike? He came a long way this year.

Yes, he did stay the same this year. Were his stats this year different from last years? Not really.

Some of you guys make these suggestions for Lamar to improve his game, it's like asking for a brand new player...reality check guys.

[no1evrealydies]

i think lamar odom needs to improve his ability to just be agressive throughout the game and not be tooo passive. an agressive lamar odom opens up the team game because he also has the ability to get everyone involved and becomes a threat. and I pray that he's practicing his jumpers w/ kobe and sasha because he'll need to be able to hit his perimeter shots because he'll probably be open because of kobe and the collapsing d on bynum and gasol....im excited though to see how he works with bynum and gasol..i think it'll open up shots for himself and get them easy baskets as well w/ his ability to handle the ball..i agree that he definitely needs to utilize his right hand and add to his arsenal( teams know what hes goin to do and he gets called for offensive fouls)..he might have a break out year though due to the fact that it'll be a contract year..! lol..we've all seen what players can do in contract years!! lol

[hermes]

Lamar is Lamar. He will stay the same. Expecting to do things differently or better at this stage of his career is asking too much.

Did he stay the same this year Mikey"Kobe will never be as good as Jordan?"Mike? He came a long way this year.

Yes, he did stay the same this year. Were his stats this year different from last years? Not really.

Some of you guys make these suggestions for Lamar to improve his game, it's like asking for a brand new player...reality check guys.

your acting like nobody ever improves their game

[MikeyMike]

^
Young players, yes. Not veterans. Lamar is a veteran.

Plus, you guys are asking him to do things he's never done in his life..it's not in his DNA.

1) Move off the ball?

2) Be a jumpshooter?

3) Be aggressive consistently?

I"m not bashing him, just saying these are not a part of his game. Especially moving off the ball and jumpshooting. He just isn't that type of player.

To Me, Lamar is a....a Hybrid PF, because many facets of his game also resemble a SF. However, at this stage in his career I think he would continue to be a PF as he adds weight and loses speed due to age.

Underweight PF who uses his great speed and length, these advantages afford him excellent rebounding and above average defense. Has awesome dribbling skills that are evidenced by his full court baskets and drives to the hoop.

But like Miles said, he doesn't really utilize his skills in a triangle setting.

Also, the numbers don't lie....his 3 point or 2 point jumpshooting is not too good. He gets most of his point in the paint, but not off post moves, mostly drives.

But yes, that is Lamar. He's not going to change.

Every year people make threads about this, I can't even count, "Oh Lamar is so great, BUT, if only he was more ________ "

You fill in the blank...

More intelligent
Better shooter
Better defender

No, he's not going to change. His long, he's quick, he can handle the ball well, but he doesn't have a consistent jumpshot.

[Anklebreaker702]

Half a brain, I would say thats a start. Like ive said for years, and I will stick to it, THE LAKERS WILL NOT WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP WITH LAMAR ODOM.

Have to disagree with you there a little bit GW3, had Bynum & Ariza stayed healthy I believe we would have been hanging our 15th banner

[lukeridenour]

^
Young players, yes. Not veterans. Lamar is a veteran.

Plus, you guys are asking him to do things he's never done in his life..it's not in his DNA.

1) Move off the ball?

2) Be a jumpshooter?

3) Be aggressive consistently?

I"m not bashing him, just saying these are not a part of his game. Especially moving off the ball and jumpshooting. He just isn't that type of player.

To Me, Lamar is a....a Hybrid PF, because many facets of his game also resemble a SF. However, at this stage in his career I think he would continue to be a PF as he adds weight and loses speed due to age.

Underweight PF who uses his great speed and length, these advantages afford him excellent rebounding and above average defense. Has awesome dribbling skills that are evidenced by his full court baskets and drives to the hoop.

But like Miles said, he doesn't really utilize his skills in a triangle setting.

Also, the numbers don't lie....his 3 point or 2 point jumpshooting is not too good. He gets most of his point in the paint, but not off post moves, mostly drives.

But yes, that is Lamar. He's not going to change.

Every year people make threads about this, I can't even count, "Oh Lamar is so great, BUT, if only he was more ________ "

You fill in the blank...

More intelligent
Better shooter
Better defender

No, he's not going to change. His long, he's quick, he can handle the ball well, but he doesn't have a consistent jumpshot.

this is a good post

[tkb]

For people who only look at the points column, Odom might seem like an inconsistent player. If you look at his game from an overall standpoint, he isn't inconsistent IMO.

He always rebounds and he always passes well. His scoring might be a bit inconsistent, but I really don't think Lamar is as inconsistent as people try to spin it. Looking at his scoring the second half of the season there is little evidence that he was inconsistent in that department too. I really think Lamar has found his role on this team. Sure the Celtics series sucked, but I think we'll bounce back alright.

The inconsistent point I brought up is not even about if overall game. Its when he puts his stamp on a game we consistently play better and usually win. When he is back in the shadows then we usually struggle. Its not about being the 2nd or 3rd option.. its about being aggressive night in and night out. If he is able to bring that intensity in every game then I have no issues with him. He needs to consistently be aggressive.

I agree to a certain point, but you don't become a double digit rebounder without bringing consistent effort and hustle to the glass, and Lamar does. This all comes down to Lamar's offensive mindset as far as the inconsistency goes IMO. When he's aggressive, and taking it hard to the hole he's amazing. When not, he's still a very consistent rebounder and passer.

[mmyers37]

One thing even a veteran could work on:

When you are a foot from the basket, SLAM IT.

For God's sake, man! You did it for two games against Utah in the playoffs, and I thought maybe God had intervened. But against San Antonio, it was back to the old Odom, and the no-show in Boston was predictable.

Odom is the second worst point-blank shooter I can think of, just behind Kwame. Starting the two of them, those were dark Laker days. Smush made it even darker. I have long looked forward to the day that the three of them would be gone, and we are almost there.

Odom is tough to a point, but he blanches under the brightest lights, and so we might as well not have him at all. Doesn't matter much who or what we get in return. We can't go through the season with him and let him become an important part of the rotation if he can't go the last mile.