Comments on: PLAYER REVIEW: Lamar Odom

By: Sufian

Sufian — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:40:35 +0000

You guys are underestimating Lamar. Lamar is one of the main reasons why we win important games. He is always getting key rebounds, scoring key points and playing lock down defense. There isnt one player on the list i would take over lamar and yes, that includes david west.

By: ab

ab — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:45:33 +0000

I do not understand this argument of “never compains about minutes”, “never compains about shots”. He is the sixth man off the bench. He was a free-agent last year and he could have gone if he had found a starting gig somewhere. Nobody was willing to pay him even in the ball-park of the salary the Lakers gave him so he chose the Lakers. He is what he is – an overpaid role player.

Also, the argument that his “value is within our system” is also flawed. It is due to Phil’s genius that he is able to fit any player and maximize their value within our system. Tomorrow, if we had Anderson Varejao instead of Odom, Phil would find a way to fit him in and next year we would be saying that Anderson Varejao is an integral part of our system and we could not have won without him. This is the main aspect of Phil’s teams – how well he integrates players and creates teams instead of group of talented players playing together.

Regarding LO’s defense – Really? His defense is good? Did you see him against Phoenix or even in the OKC series and Utah series. I have never ever seen him take a charge and very frequently misses rotations. He fails to close out on shooters and is undersized against strong post players. From what I have observed he just hangs out near the paint and prevents penetration, but in one on one situations against HIS man, he is very poor.

By: Darius

Darius — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:27:23 +0000

A new post is up. We’re reading more email and answering more questions.

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/07/17/more-mailbag/

By: R

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:07:32 +0000

As fans we are lucky LO is a Laker, and it’s great so many of us faithful realize this.

GO LAKERS!!

By: ReignOnParades

ReignOnParades — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:03:44 +0000

Lamar Odom to me is the third most integral member of this team behind the two obvious pillars of the team. He is the ultimate third banana right now, although Chris Bosh looks to take over that title.

Now it’s arguable that Bynum is the better player, that Fish is more impactful as a personality, that Artest is more indispensible on the depth chart, and so forth.

But really it’s Odom’s versatility to make an impact in all those facets and his willingness to take a step back and let others shine in his place that makes him so valuable.

Also, his tandem with Kobe and Gasol makes for absolutely beautiful basketball so long as the floor is properly stretched by 3 point shooters which hasn’t been the case for much of this year.

Kogasodomy for life

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:50:32 +0000

Having Odom on the roster is like throwing dices. When 7 comes up the Lakers are winning, however lately 7 did not come up often. The Lakers are better off trading LO for a less talented player but show up more often. The problem is every team in the league knows how inconsistent he is. It is easier said than done; besides it takes time to learn the triangle system. Every playoffs Odom holds the team and fans hostages. Everybody anxiously waits for him to have a good game which he does about every 3 games or so, therefore effectively makes his true salary about 27 mils a year. It is a shame to pay a player almost 9 mils a year and cannot count on him, even every other game.

By: DY

DY — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 17:13:32 +0000

Let’s not forget Lamar’s influence with Artest in the locker room since the two are childhood friends.

Also, Bynum is a Laker precisely because Odom is the ultimate insurance in case Bynum gets hurt. Without Odom, I’m pretty sure that Bynum’s future in LA would be curtailed as we would not be able to depend on him to be healthy. There are so many symbiotic relationships on this Lakers team To lose Odom would mean a lot of other moving parts would be affected. Love him or hate him, but he has been an integral part in 2 championships and 3 finals.

The ultimate issue with Odom is that people tend to project their expectations on Odom, and in doing so, people feel he “underachieves.” I don’t have much expectations for him to “realize” his upside or “grasp” at his potential. He is what he is, and though I have a hard time defining what exactly that is, I know I like it.

By: DirtySanchez

DirtySanchez — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:38:25 +0000

I was one of the few here last year ready to cut ties with LO, if his asking price was too high. At the 8 mil range LO’s contract is worthy of his skill set and what he brings to the team. He will never be a superstar or the next great anything, potential to be has long past him by.

The team and the fans are lucky that LO was a free agent last year, when teams where not spending big money. The way teams are throwing money at players this year LO might have chased the money on his last big contract with someone else. I am thankful that he is who he is, and plays for the two time defending world champs.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:20:31 +0000

Darius,

Lamar needs your support and praise.

Let’s just agree that Lamar is Lamar–and we’ll never see anyone quite like him again.

By: Zephid

Zephid — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:53:04 +0000

47, Lamar is making about 8M this year. Other players making about 8M (or more) are:

Devin Harris (8M)
Jose Calderon (9M)
Andrea Bargnani (8M)
Leandro Barbosa (7M)
Luol Deng (11M)
Mo Williams (9M)
Anderson Varejao (7M)
Ben Gordon (10M)
Charlie Villanueva (7M)
Mike Dunleavy (10M)
TJ Ford (8M)
Corey Maggette (9M)
Gerald Wallace (9M)
Boris Diaw (9M)
Stephen Jackson (8M)
JJ Redick (7M, descending)
Kirk Hinrich (9M, descending)
Jason Kidd (8M)
Shawn Marion (7M)
David West (8M)
Emeka Okafor (11M)
Marcus Camby (8M)
Joel Przybilla (7M)
Mehmet Okur (9M)
Andris Biedrins (9M)

It’s not about whether Lamar is “worth” 8M or not; it’s whether Lamar is “worth” more than another player paid about 8M. Lots of players are not “worth” their salary, but somehow, they get paid anyway. It’s the nature of the beast when supply is limited; players will get “overpaid.” But relative to his peers, is Lamar “worth” more than these other guys? In most cases I would say yes.

In only one case do I think the player clearly outclasses LO, and that’s David West. With other players, things get a little more fuzzy. Yes, Varejao and Biedrins are more consistent players, better rebounders, and probably better defenders, but neither of them can initiate the offense, bring the ball up the court, or even shoot a decent jump shot. Boris Diaw and Corey Maggette are much better scorers, but both guys are defensively putrid and poor rebounders. Okafor, Camby, and Przybilla are bigger bodies, but we need someone who can play the 4 spot as a foil to Pau and Bynum.

It’s very similar to the Derek Fisher argument; Odom’s value is with our team, in our system. Outside of our team, Odom’s value is diminished because he’s just not the primary option that teams want him to be. But on this Lakers team, he fits in perfectly. He doesn’t need shots to be happy. He never complains about minutes (or about coming off the bench). He’s the consummate locker room glue guy. He never complained about playing through the entire playoffs with a shoulder injury. And who was the guy who stepped up when all of our other players were getting injured (including Kobe)? Lamar Odom.