I’ve long felt that Lamar was a misfit in the Laker’s system. That doesn’t make him a misfit in every system. Steve Nash was traded twice before he found his niche in Phoenix. Besides, he just has two years left on his contract, so he could just be an interim player for them while they transition.

Sometimes players are traded for business reasons. In the case of Pau, it may have something to do with expectations, team identity, and fan attitude–and his long term ciontract. See what you think of this Memphis fan:

“The team is doing a little better. I still think , let me take that back, I KNOW we need to trade PAU immediately. I admire his effort the last couple of games, but as it was stated by Jaybyrd, he could have been doing that [all along]!!

All of his efforts now should be used as resume’ for other teams. I just don’t think we will ever get over the hump as long as Pau and Mike are still Griz!!

Mike is a bust and he and Pau play a two man game to help each other stay in the league. I think that these guys have one foot in the basketball grave. We need to look at getting rid of them immediately before its a done deal. Nobody wants Pau but a couple of writers on this blog ( you guys can have him, let him be a 7ft waiter or something) He is just not cut out for real NBA basketball. It was a joke to make him an All Star. Think I’m joking? Go back and look at the weakest representation of Memphis I have ever seen.

I would take a third round draft pick for him TODAY!!!! That’s how bad he needs to go. I dare anyone to give reasons for him to stay!!

I think the team can still score plenty of points, but it needs to shore up the interior defense and rebound better.

I am sure PJ deserves 12mio a year.
He will find an answer to this problem.

I also agree that we might not be ready for a new game plan today, since we just lose bynum yesterday and on a back2back game.

so finger crossed.

“Lamar just had an awful night”
January 15th, 2008 · Post a Comment · posted by kding
Lamar Odom was getting dressed in the KeyArena visiting locker room afterward, smiled and hollered over to Luke Walton a few doors down: “Feels great to win a ballgame like that, doesn’t it?” Odom had shot 3 for 15 from the field; Walton had shot 1 for 6.

Kobe Bryant bailed everyone and the shaky defense and rebounding out, though, to get the Lakers the victory. Bryant stepped up his game in a need situation for his team after news of Andrew Bynum’s extended absence, playing through illness. Odom couldn’t do the same (he was so tired and ineffective in overtime that Phil Jackson benched Odom for Ronny Turiaf and brought Odom back only after Turiaf fouled out), and that’s why he remains where he remains in the NBA pecking order as a non-star.

Odom was acquired to Bryant’s No. 2, but the team has run smoother with Bynum showing more tenacity in that role. Bynum’s injury opens the door of opportunity yet again for Odom to give the Lakers more. And Jackson said he will need Odom to do more, especially by dominating in rebounding, but Odom will have more scoring chances, for sure.

Is he fully aware of the situation?

On Monday night, the first quarter ended with Bryant driving into a collapsing Seattle defense, getting stopped and kicking the ball out to Odom, who was caught watching and maybe even admiring as Bryant operated. This has happened all too frequently in their three-plus seasons together. Odom caught the pass in a non-threat position, faked a pass and then passed too late for Jordan Farmar to get off a shot before time expired.

Odom had a far worse moment late in overtime when he forced a 3-point shot that left Farmar wincing and turning away on the bench before the ball even caromed off the rim. (It was yet the latest example of Farmar’s wonderful feel for right and wrong on the court, and I think you’ll see Farmar have some really huge efforts for the Lakers while Bynum is out, but that’s another story.) Odom had passed up a 3-pointer on the previous possession to set up Derek Fisher’s 3-point attempt, and Fisher had missed, so this time Odom just fired away despite clearly not being sure he should.

Odom finished with six points in 45:33 of play when his team scored 123 points. Rather hard to do. Afterward, Jackson said: “Lamar just had an awful night.

(Mac)We need Lamar and Luke to step up thier play or its going to be a looonnnggg 8 weeks. These guys need some of Kobes fire (desire to win). Thats all I got to say

Should they decide to let Drew heal via the full route, I hope he can at least practice other offensive moves that will benefit his game once he returns.