The Potential Problem: Who Fails to Meet the Hype?
Lamar Odom (photo. Tim Tadder)With the Lakers facing the possibility of an almost insurmountable 0-3 NBA Finals deficit tonight, a lot of eyes will be on Lamar Odom. In the series’ first two games, L.O. has averaged a respectable 12 points and 7 boards on 50% shooting from the field, but anyone who’s watched the games knows Odom has been a disappointment. Phil Jackson said publicly Odom has looked “confused” and made it very clear that his power forward needs to step up.
Ask anyone who’s ever played with or against Odom and they’ll tell you he’s one of the most talented players in the League and can be a matchup nightmare when he’s playing well. A 6-10 lefty who can handle and pass like a point guard but also grab 15 boards any given night, he’s always a threat to roll out a monster game, and when he does, the Lakers are dominant. But there’s always that “if.”
Over his 9-year career Odom has been consistently inconsistent, never having long stretches where he’s lived up to the potential he had coming out of Christ the King H.S. in Queens as an All-World prepster. In his best pro seasons he’s been good for 15-17 points a night, 10 boards and 4-5 assists, and while he was chosen to be part of the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, he’s also never been an All-Star in the League.
Some wonder if L.O. will ever live up to the expectations that coaches, scouts, analysts and even his colleagues on the court have for him, but like many ballplayers come and gone, it’s very possible Odom will never get there. And it seems every NBA team has one or two players like that — men with obvious talent and tons of potential who just never quite “get it” and reach that upper echelon.
Who is that player for your team?
June 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
CHEE says:
GERALD GREEN
STRO-SHOW
DARIUS MILES
June 10th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
Thankfully, we don’t have one now (though Gerald Green would be take it for the Celtics all-time. I loved that kid, hope he enjoys Latvia…)
June 10th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
daquest?on says:
j.r smith, but i think j r is making improvements
June 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
DaPro says:
JR SMITH
CARMELO ANTHONY
Lamar Odom
Yao Ming
Stromile Swift
Tyrus Thomas (mirror image of Stromile)
June 10th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
BmoreRvensFan says:
D-miles…enough said
June 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
BmoreRvensFan says:
For that matter, everyone who has ever played for the Clippers minus Elton Brand
June 10th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
GEE...They said a country boy came through and then changed the game says:
Houston Yao and Mac. Don’t get me wrong they both stars. Still they got to get past all the if’s in their careers.
If it ain’t one thing it’s always another with them. Granted some of it is not their fault but still. They are, Mac more than Yao, past the point where they have to do something significant on or off the court to get them over the hump to be important as they were and could and should be again.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Blue says:
i think d-miles would fall under the category of total bust! at least LO gives you a little something out there.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
MSkittle says:
Lamar Odom seems so tentative with the ball. Needs to shoot the ball with more confidence if he is going to play outside.
June 10th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Austin Burton says:
Sonics — Chris Wilcox. He has all the physical tools you want, and I said for a long time that if the Sonics had switched their style to a Phoenix Suns-ish system, Wilcox would excel in the Amare Stoudemire role. But he can never seem to string two good games together. He’ll go for 20 points and 12 boards one night, then the next gives you 6 and 3. Every coach the Sonics have had since he’s been there grows frustrated with him quickly.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
detroit says:
I think Rasheed is the progenitor of this type of basketball
June 10th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
shake&bake says:
While watching the finals, I have been thinking that Odom might have more all-around talent than KG but the issue is that they are at opposite spectrums in terms of attitude. KG is a killer while Odom is too laid back. If Odom had KG’s edge, he would be a beast.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
doc says:
Iggy is that type of player.He gets overhyped as a franchise guy when in reality he will never cut it.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Brado says:
Sounds like Carlos Boozer in this years playoffs.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
dukesman2000 says:
Yeah, one can argue that Odom is a very talented for a big as far as his ball handling skills are concerned. To be 6’ 10” and crosses over like a point guard is ridiculous. But that’s all he has in my opinion. He is very inconsistent. For a guy that talented he should be giving at minimum 18 points and 12 boards a game. I believe Kobe is more frustrated with him than anyone else ont the squad; because everyone is showing effort and like Phil stated Odom looks “confused.”
Kwame Brown is that player who never quite got it.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
mikenobes says:
At this point, looking at the playoffs, I would have to say Kobe Bean Bryant. No body gets hyped more then him. Comparing him to Michael Jordan(arguably the greatest player to lace ‘em up. Definitely the best two guard the league has seen.) I’m not saying Kobe doesn’t have the game because that would be a boldface lie. He just doesn’t have the leadership capability. Let’s not forget how he blew up in the offseason at his team. I don’t recall Jordan going nuts like that even though he was obviously the Man on his team. Some how he got to his team mates without the ripping and whining. In that way, Kobe will never be on that echelon with MJ. MJ goofed when he was in Washington, but with Chi-town, hands down the best player and teammate. When chips were down, he built his teammates up and not tore them down.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
mikenobes says:
All that being said, its hard to live up to the next MJ hype. The man can’t have it both ways. When their winning it’s a team effort and all of a sudden its the “new” Kobe. When their losing, look at his face and his body language. Looks like the same guy to me.
June 10th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
babyboi says:
luther head
June 10th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Utes Fan says:
Andrei Kirilenko
June 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
shake&bake says:
Did Luther Head have any hype? A 2nd round pick who is a role player doesn’t seem like a lot of hype.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Austin Burton says:
I don’t think Head had a lot of “hype,” but after he was 5th in the NBA in threes two seasons ago, I would have expected more from him this year.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
sans says:
Kenny Andersen. He could ball better than any point when his head was on straight. Derrick Coleman, who gave up on trying after his third season. Anyone the Sonics draft to play the 5.
Do careers derailed by injuries count? If so, the list will grow exponentially.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
phil jakson should play lamar odom more with his 2nd unit. he’ll be more produvtive that way.
also..why hasnt odom been on the court in the 4th quarter of games?….instead, we’ve been seeing fisher, sasha, kobe, vladdy and pau.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Austin Burton says:
I’d like to hear from a Pistons fan on whether they think Amir Johnson is that “potential” guy for them.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
AY says:
the entire new york knicks roster
June 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
mr.fresh says:
Ima toss andray blatche in here…but only cuz he from syracuse…idont think he’ll ever improve to where he is expected to go tho, jus don’t think the passion and motivation is there….straight cuse n*gga all he wan do is f*ck hoez and wild out…haha hhmmpphh
June 10th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Krayzie says:
Rasheed Wallace – Even though he was won a ring and been an all star 4 times, he still hasnt reached his potential. He could be the best 4 in the league for the past decade with his skill set if he could stay mentally focused for an entire game, month, season, etc…
Tim Thomas – Of all the players in late 90s/early 2000s, he was probably the only guy who could play the 1 through 4. He could get to the rim off the dribble, handle the ball, shoot the 3, play in the post, rebound and cover anyone at 6′10….one of the most talented and gifted players but never reached that potential, showed signs here and there but thats all.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Austin Burton says:
Tim Thomas was killin’ in “Above the Rim,” though. And he took a bullet for Duane Martin.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Diego says:
@Krayzie: I agree Tim Thomas is primo example.
For the Hawks, I am afraid that Josh Smith may end up being the guy–based on what people are expecting of him now per this year’s playoffs (rather than his draft spot–which he already has exceeded).
June 10th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Diego — Is Marvin Williams that guy for Atlanta? And I know it’s early, but what did you think of Acie Law’s rookie year?
June 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Diego says:
Marvin has been a disappointment in my opinion–and my read is that most wouldn’t mind seeing him go. (He got ripped unmercilessly at times by fans on Sekou Smith’s (great Hawks beat writer) blog in the AJC this year.) Great mid-range jumper. Needs to work on holding the ball on the drive; not tripping over his own feet on the drive; and develop a 3-point shot. Admittedly, he did have a few nice games near the end of the season. Still young, still has lots of room for improvement, but will never live up to his draft hype. (Just not that good–the draft gurus were wrong.)
Folks are split on Acie. He drives nicely to the hoop, but he seemed to lack an outside shot–or at least confidence to take one (and I thought that was one of his strong points in college). Also sometimes he seemed turnover-bound. I thought his rookie year was a disappointment, but perhaps I am too quick to judge on him.
June 10th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
K Dizzle says:
It’s not too late to change the pic to the man who symbolizes this topic: Vince Carter
Not Lamar, not Rasheed – nobody got not livin up to your potential like VC.
Game starts in 30. Peace
June 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
big says:
so cool guy,does he still hook up with those tall beauties on the tall dating site: T a l l m i n g l e.c o m ???The last time I saw his profile is last monday, hope he does not leave.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am
mavid says:
It’s definitely Marvin for the Hawks. He has the talent to be a star, but lacks the needed mindset (and the rebounding gene that someone like Al Horford or Antwan Jamison has). Best example: when he played in Seattle this past season (his home town), you could tell he wanted to step it up. It’s almost like his mindset changed, and he played like a star, dropping 35 and 8 or something. He just doesn’t bring that mindset consistently enough. Luckily, he’s still so young (21 or 22), so there could be time…
June 11th, 2008 at 2:59 am
karan says:
i’m a knick fan, so i say the failing to meet the hype goes to the entire roster
seriously, only david lee outperformed his hype, and now, even he’s been overhyped so much that he can’t live up to that anymore
June 11th, 2008 at 9:10 am
ERIC says:
While I have certainly been frustrated by Lamar’s play lately, we tend to forget all of the personal tragedy he endured when his young infant died. I am sure it is something he thinks about every day.
June 11th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Ian says:
rasheed
June 11th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
eyeused2b says:
Peja Stojakovic.
Great shooter. Easily one of the best in the league. At least he is until you need him to prove it.
Melvin Ely.
Put up some good scoring, rebounding, and blocking numbers with the Bobcats that season that Okafor or Brezec (can’t remeber) was injured. With the exception of the series with the Spurs, he couldn’t even solidify his role as a competent backup for Chandler. Dude lost minutes to Hilton Armstrong.