Lamar Odom: From Insufferable to Invaluable
by Josh Tucker on Jul 31, 2009 9:18 AM PDT
in Editorial
74 comments
By now, hopefully you have heard the news. It was inevitable from the start, and you know that my official position on the entire "saga" has been that it was pure media hype and negotiation leverage. Nonetheless, in an anything-can-happen league, it feels good to have Odom safely and securely back in the fold.
With this, the Lakers and their fans can finally begin to look forward. It's time to think about the 2009-10 season, and what it holds in store for the Purple and Gold. In the days and weeks to come, we'll be gearing up to do just that. For now, let's just take a moment to appreciate Lamar Odom, and to be glad that this was nothing more than intense negotiation maneuvering.
Read on...
What would you say if I told you that just a couple months ago, I admitted that I didn't want Odom back with the Lakers next year? As late as the first couple rounds of the playoffs, in my mind he needed to be either traded or let go.
How could I think such a thing? It's simple (or it was). As a person, I have tremendous respect for Lamar Odom. Individually, he is clearly one of the best guys in the league, and someone it would truly be an honor to know — not necessarily something that can often be said of pro athletes or celebrities (especially those who reside in Los Angeles). As a player, I've seen him step up time and time again, the most recent example being his incredible play when Andrew Bynum once again went down with a major injury.
But in my mind, none of that mattered if he disappeared when it mattered most. I don't care how incredible Odom is on the court in February and March; if he can't do that in May and June, it's all for nothing. He builds our hopes up and then leaves us hanging in the playoffs, when it actually counts.
Or so it seemed.
What — can't a guy be wrong, from time to time? Hey, I may pretend to know a few things about NBA basketball, but I still reserve the right to be completely and profoundly out-of-my-mind wrong, every now and then.
The funny thing is that if I had said as much publicly, at the time, a great many Lakers fans would have agreed vociferously with me. A few weeks later, I and all those who would have agreed with me clearly considered retaining Lamar Odom to Priority No. 1, an absolute non-negotiable.
Who knows what happened in between? Well, Lamar Odom stepped up hugely for the Lakers in May and (especially) June, playing a vital role in our beloved franchise winning its 15th championship. That's what happened. But beneath that, underneath the surface... who knows what happened?
Maybe Lamar Odom had a basketball epiphany. Maybe he "figured it out," broke through that wall that had been holding him back, conquered his demons. Maybe it clicked for him. Is it possible for a basketball player to struggle, perhaps for years, and then finally make a breakthrough, figuring out how to deliver on the biggest stage in a way that he never again loses? Is it possible that finally being able to deliver for his team when it mattered and help them win a championship can be such a breakthrough moment that it affects not only that moment, that series, but the rest of his career, as well? I believe it's possible. And maybe Odom had that extended moment in these playoffs. And maybe, having figured out how to get there, how to do it, he'll never appear clueless again.
Or maybe things were just different. Maybe Odom played just as hard, with just as much intensity, drive and determination, as he did a year ago, and as he has throughout his career. Maybe there is no such thing as a player who can't be denied (i.e., Kobe), or a player who doesn't have it (i.e., T-Mac). Maybe it's as simple as sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. After all, isn't most of life that way? I don't know why basketball should be any different.
So maybe nothing changed with Odom. Maybe he was never to blame for past performances that appeared, to us, to fall short. Maybe this time it just worked — he got the breaks, things went his way, and instead of losing, he won. Maybe all that changed was the results, and with them, of course, our perceptions of his play that led to those results.
I suppose it doesn't matter. What we do know is that the Lakers would have had a much harder time winning the 2009 NBA Championship without Odom than they did with him. Perhaps they wouldn't have won it at all. And somewhere along the line, we realized that despite his mercurial tendencies, Lamar Odom is indispensable to this Lakers team.
He is a strong, tough leader, who has been through more in life than most of his pampered co-workers. His spirit and his attitude are a beacon of light in an industry that could use more of it. The leadership he brings, the attitude he inspires, and the atmosphere he creates around him — these are all things the Lakers cannot do without. And of course, it doesn't hurt that his physical abilities and skills are a nightmare for virtually any opponent.
For all these reasons and more, it has always been inevitable that Lamar Odom would suit up in Purple and Gold this fall. Welcome back, Lamar — we're glad you're still here, and I think I speak for most when I say that we hope you retire in a Lakers jersey.
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so glad, oh so glad
its breath of fresh air knowin we are going to start the year with LO on our team. i get goosebumps just thinking about the line ups we can come up with now that we kept lamar. he is and has always been our X factor. and now with artest in the mix…. bron, pierce, and melo better watch out!! cause us problems no more i say. i get giddy like a school girl thinking about the upcoming season!!!! LETS GO LAKERS!!!!
Great Article Josh!!!
I, too, had my doubts about Lamar at times, but you are absolutley right! He is invalueable!!!
You know, not to be a hater or anything Josh because I like reading your posts, but you could have just said all that you said in a few words somewhere along the lines of, “oops, I was wrong”.
Just saying :P
But on a serious note, I have withdrawal symptons now because I have nothing to keep checking up on now that Odom is signed, Favre ain’t coming back, and the MLB steroid revelations are nothing new…*Sigh WHY CAN’T IT BE FALL ALREADY?!!!!!
EH
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by STREAKINGLIGHTS on Jul 31, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I have withdrawal symptons now because I have nothing to keep checking up on now that Odom is signed.
I hear ya. But maybe the blister I got from refreshing ESPN.com/nba will get a chance to heal.
LOL....
Josh doesn’t take a crap without writing 8 paragraphs about it. You will get used to it. Plus it’s usually good stuff.
Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny
No time right now to the pull the stats, but ...
I agree with Josh’s premise:
despite his mercurial tendencies, Lamar Odom is indispensable to this Lakers team.
As well as he played, Lamar was still on-again off-again, even in the playoffs.
I was always happy when the Lakers would win a playoff game without a major contribution from him, as that would mean they won a game they probably shouldn’t have, and that they would probably win a future game with his contribution.
This does not mean that Lamar was disposable – his contributions overall were yuuuuge, and the Lakers could not have won without him. It was just done, and has always been done, in an inconsistent manner.
I’ve grown to accept Lamar as one of the best inconsistent players in the NBA, possibly in the history of the NBA.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
Jeff Van Gundy once said
“And to me when Lamar Odom is this good, there’s no beating the Lakers.” And for you are going to say how often is he that good, he really puts up average numbers, he just has some incredible games that make his average games look like crap
Couldn't have said it better
Really well written and my sentiments exactly. Great work. AND WELCOME BACK LAMAR!!!
LO is a luxury not to be taken for granted...
Last post-season Odom nearly doubled Bynum in minutes and production. The best thing that Bynum’s presence allowed in the playoffs was the ability to bring LO off the bench. Especially since Bynum had a knack to get in foul trouble in the 1st quarter which allowed the Lakers the luxury to bring LO off the bench.
But, before the Lakers resigned him I pictured a playoff series in which Bynum got in foul trouble and then to see Phil look down the bench and put in Mbenga or Powell. Which would give the Lakers a front court of Powell, Gasol, Artest to defend the likes of:
Shaq, Ilgauskas, Verajao
Sheed, KG, Perkins
Gortat, Howard, R. Lewis
I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 31, 2009 10:23 AM PDT reply actions
I agree with your post. Lamar and a healthy Bynum provide d-e-p-t-h. So that they (and Pau) don’t have to worry as much about foul trouble (or worse) because there’s someone reasonable skilled coming off the bench.
You know whenever I see the list of Cavs, Celtics & Magic bigs I just remind myself that we only have beat one of the three in the playoffs. And with Bynum, Gasol & Odom we match up OK at least. (OK. I think I just repeated what you said. Oh well.)
I'd take that all day though.
Perkins, Gortat, and Varajeo can’t score.
Pau does a decent job on KG and Dwight. Rasheed’s not the same. Neither is Ilgauskas. Rashard can be neutralized. Which leaves Shaq. who doesn’t ned to be doubled anymore, but certainly could be if Varajeo’s playing.
How many gimme’s did Gortat blow. I barely noticed him in the Finals.
In terms of the Perkins
I think without Bynum the Celtic’s line up was stronger even with LO playing. But the ability to match up Bynum with Perkins and to be able to bring in LO is going to be huge this year if the Celtics make it to the Finals. But I am dying to see that match up and shut them up once and for all.
I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 31, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Due to a bum knee and bad conditioning
Everyone needs to take his playoff performance with a grain of salt. It’s not indicative of how he’s going to play next year in any fashion whatsoever.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
agreed. Everybody is forgetting that bynum dropped 5 straight double doubles in the games prior to his injured.
he also had consecutive games of 42/15 and 23/14. The man is a monster when he is on his game.
when? when is that? the games in which he’s played great are few and far between, don’t make it sound like the guy is stud.
the fact remains the same: the guy is unproven. and he doesn’t play with passion, or a mean streak. in my opinion, this upcoming season is a make or break year for bynum. if he gets hurt or plays crappy, he’ll be on everybody’s shit list. if you had asked me a year ago, i would’ve said, no don’t trade him. but now? i don’t care if the lakers were to trade him, especially if it’s for another big man and/or a point guard.
if by some miracle the lakers could entice the suns’ owner to package nash (although i hate him) and amare for bynum and who knows what else, i’d be very intrigued by the possibilities of such scenario(s).
You really don't get it, do you?
The guy was coming back from a major injury and had about zero conditioning and was asked to play at the highest level immediately after coming back. That he had no on-court rhythm or timing was an obvious consequence of the layoff. Combine all of these things and you get a haphazard performance. For another example, Nelson wasn’t effective at all against us in the Finals, and he was coming back from a much less serious injury than Bynum. Conditioning and rhythm matter.
Also, if your memory is that short — or you’re deliberately forgetting — Bynum destroyed a swath of teams for a month before he went down, perhaps most impressively Duncan on both ends when San Antonio came to the Staples Center. And in spite of your contempt, he still managed a 20+ PER season.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
you seem really naive when evaluating bynum as a basketball player. since you mention memory loss, are u forgetting that the season is 82 games, not including the playoffs? if you judge a player’s ability on the basis of a stretch in which he performs well, then your method of evaluation is seriously flawed. until he proves he can consistently be effective, at the very least, throughout the entire course of the regular season, he will be an unproven player—a nice way to put it.
And despite his early travails in the season
He ranked seventh among centers in PER, eleventh in TS%, and averaged 19.8 points per 40 minutes despite having inconsistent time (29.8 minutes per game) on the floor.
At the age of twenty-one.
If that doesn’t indicate what a force he can be, then I’m done explaining to you. Or rather, I’ll let the wiser folks at FB&G explain:
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2009/07/26/andrew-bynum-vs-future-hall-of-famer/
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
How 'bout he plays anything resembling a full season?
Bynum has taken all that Kareem can teach for what, three years?
He’s improved but he’s not a monster by any means.
He needs to do two things now.
1. Get back in the weight room and add more bulk. He’s supposedly 7’0" and 285 lbs. Let’s hang 300+ on that frame between now and two years out. A guy like that could add 10 lbs. of lean tissue per year.
2. Learn how to use his butt to create space. Let Kareem step aside and find some big body center that was used to clearing people out in the lane. Maybe if Shaq retires after next year or the one after, the Lakers could hire him to tutor Bynum on the fine points.
If Bynum could stay on the floor all year and use that body, he’d be a certified beast.
by LakersForDeuce on Aug 4, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Here's what I say
Bynum doesn’t need to play a ton of minutes to be effective. Gasol isn’t that heavy so his legs won’t give away like Bynum or Yao and Odom can play a little center and DJ Mbenga isn’t terrible. That said if Bynum gets injured or just doesn’t play well AND WE STILL WIN THE TITLE (that’s important) trade him, Farmar and Powell for a consistent Center who can go for at least 10 and 8 and doesn’t have an history of major injuries (Antonio Mycdyss(spelled wrong)is a good example) and a solid point guard like Rodney Stuckey or JJ Barea
yeah
it wasn’t just last year, Bynum’s always been good when playing for a stretch. Just give him some time
when I was young
I have always been a good shooter I broke both my arms though and couldn’t shoot very well for a month or 2
And your trade scenario is hilarious
Sarver wants to cut salary, not add a giant on onto the books. And I’d hate to have Stoudemire — you think Bynum has no passion? Amar’e has no passion on the defensive end, for rebounding, or for improving his game. Nash is due for a decline, has an injury history, and at this point of his career, is a huge defensive liability.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
read carefully and you’ll find a word or two that probably wouldn’t make the statement so hilarious. must i teach you to read and think, as well?
"By some miracle" "intrigued by the possibilities"
You want the trade to happen; I’m pointing out it’s downright silly. Read up on your own wording before trotting out half-baked attempts at replies that don’t even address my posts.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
the bottom line, your case for bynum as a “force” is entirely weak. until you come up with a strong argument and sufficient evidence (but wait, he hasn’t played long enough in a season, so how can you?) your claim is “hilarious.” i’m finished. =)
You haven't even started yet.
Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny
yeah we don't need much more offense
we need ddddefense but we already got Kobe and we’re getting ron. a consistent point guard that’s quick on D but can shoot would be nice
Take me out with a Big B__G Hit
http://westwood.fortunecity.com/chanel/771/b_bbong.wav
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 31, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions
right link
b_bbong1 0:08 1
Paul D. Kelley
BN is a myopic site
by so.cal.native1952 on Jul 31, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
You were not wrong
Count me among those who would have agreed with you. There is no doubting that LO is a great talent, and a guy who is very valuable to the Lakers. What is also undeniable, however, is that his entire career has been marked by inconsistency, and if keeping LO would have meant not being able to improve the team elsewhere, he should not have been re-signed. That’s why a $50 million, 5 year contract was a non-starter.
However, by signing Ron Artest, the Lakers got a lot better. Any contract that didn’t hamstring the Lakers too much in the future would make sense to me, which is why my view was that it was less about the dollars and more about the years. Now, with their core guys signed for the next 3 years at least, the LO deal makes sense.
Finally, I would submit that LO hasn’t really changed. In this year’s playoffs he was still the sometimes amazing, sometimes awful player that he’s always been. Check his stats from the first 2 rounds (even before the back injury against Houston). He had some monster games (closeout game against Utah) followed by complete no-shows (the very next game to start the Houston series). I suspect that if something terrible had happened to Kobe or Pau in game 7 against Houston, and had the Lakers ended up losing that game, nobody would be talking about LO in such glowing terms. I concede that he looked good against Denver (for the most part) and Orlando, but it isn’t a huge stretch to say the Lakers almost didn’t make it there; and had they not gone there, I am pretty certain LO would not be back in LA for $8 million +.
by Leo's Thinwhistle on Jul 31, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions
lol i dont think anyone is saying LO is the reason we won the ring. The main reasons were Kobe and Pau, however at the same time I dont think we win it without LO if that makes sense.
LO fills his role excently. He does everything a big guy is supposed to do. Rebound, block, help defense, score in the paint AND he does things no one can do at his size, dribble, pass, and shoot from range.
While we still woulda been in contention without Odom, Odom is a huge advantage for us, and makes life easier for Kobe and Pau and Bynum. He is the reason Phil can look so calm throughout the season.
We do have most of the core signed for the next 3 years...
but what are the chances that we go through this all over again next summer with Kobe. I don’t foresee him leaving as long as the Lakers are winning but we’ve been through the opt-out saga before and those turned out to be some tense weeks. Again, I believe Kobe sign an extension and remain a Laker for life but something tells me the drama won’t ever leave LA. Maybe that’s the idea behind bringing Ron Ron into the fold. Should make for some great entertainment. Ready for opening night already!!!
David Aldridge - Lakers Inquire about Leon Powe
http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/david_aldridge/07/30/aldridge.dish/index.html
I dont want to be the next Michael Jordan, I only want to be Kobe Bryant.
by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jul 31, 2009 12:15 PM PDT reply actions
Heavens no
He’s better than Powell in every fashion imaginable. Only question is whether he can be the same player after rehabbing from this injury. Wouldn’t mind him on the roster for the minimum though.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Here is why we need Lamar Odom.......Insurance and Flexibility.
He is our insurance policy for whenever Bynum gets injured or gets into foul trouble. We almost don’t miss Bynum with Odom around. In my opinion most of his inconsistency comes from whether or not Bynum is playing or having a good game. Just my opinion but it seems more like he isn’t needed than he is inconsistent. Of course some games he just doesn’t show up, but not as often as it seems.
He also provides extreme flexibility for the coaching staff to play a multitude of lineups that they couldn’t without having Odom. The 2 out of 3 between Odom, Pau, and Bynum assures we always have a dominant 4-5 punch up front. Also he can play other positions and knows the triangle and makes us much, much, more flexible.
Well, sir, you are a cowardly son of a bitch! You just shot an unarmed man!.......Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend. – Will Munny
why don’t we just start odom at power forward, gasol at center and trade bynum for a good point guard?
Because the Gasol-Bynum-Odom rotation
Is one of the reasons we’re one of the best teams in the league. Who else has a frontcourt rotation with the size and skills ours does? Bynum isn’t being traded any time in the near future.
If we’re going to plug our point guard position, it’s going to be with Morrison’s expiring and possibly Farmar if he doesn’t pan out.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Lamar’s press conference live right now if anyone wants to watch
http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/09lakersagreewithlamarodom.html
He said a team (not Miami) made him a “very gracious offer” but he won’t name the team because they asked him not to. He ended up taking the Lakers offer because he loves LA. Maybe those Portland reports were true.
maybe Oklahoma City?
They’re the only one with the money to do so. The BlazersEdge salary cap gurus have gone into painstaking detail on how any such offer was impossible to make.
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
Doubtful
OKC took itself out of the free agent market this year. Presti is still in his honeymoon period, and it’s better to sit on his cap space and wait for advantageous opportunities (similar to the aborted Chandler trade) and let the young players develop. If Durant can really become a superstar next year, OKC becomes that much more of an enticing spot for the 2010 free agent class.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Sounds like bullshit.
Part of the game called negotiations. “Gracious” means not worth the time of day.
Josh broke it down again
Odom has his flaws but so does everyone in the world, he just needs t be great when it really counts like May and June which he was last season, I’m glad that he is back, it gives the Lakers insurance of anything that can happen over the course of the season and versatility which I think makes the Lakers unbeatable so all they have to do is mesh well with Ron-Ron and Ron-Ron mesh with the chemistry of the team and I can smell a repeat.
There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be commited against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the LimeLight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
LO is my hero
Well, not actually but I am glad he’s back. Lamar has always been a fan favorite despite his inconsistencies but every year since he was traded here I find myself rooting harder and harder for the guy. Shows a lot of class, been through some really dark moments in life and still has the spirit and courage to give his best effort on the court doing the thing he does best. Ballin’ out of control LO….
lamar odom
I agree with some of what you said but the truth is as versatile as odom is he’s been a very inconsistent player for most of his career and like you I found myself yelling at the tv during the 1st two rds of the playoffs, most people are quick to forget that odom got owned in the series vs the rockets a very physical team and his production was up and down vs the nuggets another physical team……the truth is odom finally did get a break in the finals(no pun intended) because Rashard Lewis as great a shooter as he is proved to be just as soft if not softer then odom, lewis is not a banger or great rebounder and he does most of his damage from the 3point line, odom had 1 job on defense in the finals and that was to give lewis no space! and for the most part he did just that, im not hating on odom and what he gives the lakers but as a laker fan I would like to see what he could do vs the celtics or any team that is tough and physical ……..props to odom for playing well in the finals………..but players that are known to bring it every night are not called………..X-FACTOR.
Maurice powell
The thing about Odom..
is he is our X-Factor. But what does that mean? Understanding that I believe helps people realize why Odom can be so great one day, and subpar the next.
Odom is a freak. His size, speed, ball-handling, rebounding, short, mid, and longrange game, and yes, even his left hand, make him a unique basketball player. Because of all of this, Odom’s best asset is being able to counter any difficulties an opposing team may toss at us (Marion, Tim Thomas, Dirk, LA, Artest, etc. etc.), while also presenting new problems for the opposition. Depending on the players on the court, Odom can end up being a huge boost in his versatility, or a huge detriment if the opposition is playing an old school, Princeton offense.
The key to Odom is taking whatever we can get from him. We all know he has All-Star talent, but because he’s a better version of Luke Walton, you cannot expect Odom to be great at any one skill. Without any one great skill to fall back on, this is why Odom can struggle. He has no money move.
"The problem actually is that PER is a extra-long, double high wagon load of horse crap." - timbo (7/3/09)
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