The Lakers Need To Start Odom
Lamar Odom needs to get in the gameI don’t know what happened this summer between Phil Jackson and Lamar Odom, but the two need to work it out. Having lost three of their last 10 games, the Lakers look like a team in distress; and the only solution I see, if the Lakers want to turn it around and have a chance to meet, let alone beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals this June, is to start Odom.
The crazy thing is, Odom isn’t a guy that all of a sudden dropped off. Last season on an NBA Finals squad, he averaged a double-double (a feat he’s only accomplished twice in his career) with a solid 14.2 points and 10.6 rebounds a night. After being relegated to the bench this season, Odom is averaging career-lows in minutes (26), points (8.4) points, free throw percentage (59.1) and assists (2.3), and close to a career-low in rebounds (6.3).
In the past 13 games, he has only scored in double figures twice. And according to the Miami Herald, when the Lakers played the Heat on Friday, Odom was “frolicking deep into Thursday night at Mansion before shooting 1 for 6″ later that day.
You know what, I can understand why. If I was Odom, I would do the same thing as I watched my team struggle to win games while I sat on the bench. Because after starting all 277 games he played in his previous four seasons with the Lakers, the Zen Master has given Odom the proverbial slap in the face all season.
So Phil, if you’re reading this, let the box score do the talking. When Odom was moved into the starting lineup Tuesday (for his only start of the season) with Pau Gasol out, he produced with 17 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and most importantly the W. If that’s not enough evidence, I don’t know what is.
In your opinion, should the Lakers start Odom?
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
karizmatic says:
No the Lakers should trade Odom. One game is not going to be enough to provide evidence that he should start. If he was really that nice he should be scoring at least 11 points a game. In addition if Odom was doing 17 and 12 consistently he wouldn’t be on the bench. Odom’s problem has always been consistency you never know when and in what spots he’s going to score. The Lakers should trade him, he doesn’t really fit with the direction they are going in at this point.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
NO! I think they should trade him and VLAD for a better small forward. I realize that he has intangibles, but he didn’t always show up when he was starting so while your argument does hold some water. I do agree that he is better than the other small forwards, but Trevor Ariza should start over Odom. Defense wins, which LO has never been good at.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
JCARR "K1N6" says:
As of right now yes start him. If they start him other teams can see his value and will be willing to trade. If no trade occurs L-O will produce more than coming out from the bench. And i thought there was no laker drama this year? I guess not…
Trade L-O, Vlad for AK 47 or Marion
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
and THAT AP is why you are not a coach.
You may be just trying to write something controversial, which I respect, but how can you push the PANIC button so quickly?
Lets look at the losses-
1. AT Sac: yeah this is clearly a team LA should handle. The Kings were on an 8 game losing streak and played with far more heart and caught the Lakers off guard. Odom had 11/8/2 and 2 Blocks. Not bad
2. AT Miami: Again, The Heat on a losing streak playing inspired ball and the Lakers had a shot to win it at the end. Odom has a bad game
3. AT Orlando: the 2nd game of a back to back on a cross country road trip and the magic win by Superman making 8-11 FTs in the 4th quarter???? Odom doesnt score much but contributes big with 8 boards 3 asts and 3 blocks. Didnt have to shoot much with Kobe going for 41.
So to wrap up the Lakers need to start Odom, who started one home game VS the knicks in which the Lakers one by 2 pts if they are to “turn it around and have a chance to meet, let alone beat the Celtics in the NBA Finals this June”?.
Let me sum it up for you…The Lakers are 21-5, cruising through the Western Conference. Odom has had a key role off the bench leading the 2nd squad and still playing crunch time minutes- ALL of their players are playing less minutes because the team is so deep and will be fresh come playoff time and when LA faces the Celtics in june, IF the Cs make it, I hope they underestimate them as you have.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ J-Carr–
Why would we want Marion? He complained about being 3 fiddle in PHO, he would def complain about being fourth fiddle in LA. I do like the AK47 deal, but I think we could trade LO for AK47 straight up.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Bron42 aka Thugnificant says:
marion woudnt complain if;
a) he was about win a chip. That was never gonna happen in phoneix wit captain canada not bein able to guard dirty clothes.
b)he wasn’t always the scape goat for when they lost.
so puttin him on a lakers team where he knows hes the pippen to kobes jordan and actually has a legit chance of winning. I’d do it..Although ariza is already marion lite lite
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
JCARR "K1N6" says:
@drink the haterade
Marion could help Lakers… He managed to do it with the suns for like one season but he needs to drop his ego and just play ball. I think that with the unselfish play of the lakers now Marion could become their defensive stopper. The lakers also play more of a running game than miami so he would benefit from that. Although I would love to see Ak-47 in a lakers uniform than marion.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Kobeef says:
Odom is not part of the long term plan for the Lake-show and we’ve know that since Gasol arrived.
Gasol is a bigger, more talented version of Odom and is a great fit with Bynum in the front court.
Ariza is a great SF for a team that only really needs a few shots a game and good D from the SF position. Plus, Ariza is more athletic than Odom and a better defender so for this team he is a better fit.
What you are really missing AP is that the Lakers are struggling with Luke Walton in the starting lineup and there are many obvious reasons why he is hurting the team. Luke is a good role player but in the NBA he is a bench warmer. Why Phil insists on starting and playing Walton is beyond me. Sure he has “smarts” and seems to know the game but the other team doesn’t care about “smarts” as long as they can score on Walton at will ..which has been the case.
Should the lakers start a different SF? Yes.
Should it be Odom? No.
Move Ariza to the starting 5 and we’ll see some improvement.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Kermit The Washington says:
I don’t think Marion was complaining about being the 3rd fiddle, I think he was complaining about being under- appreciated. Which I think he’s right - people were all on Nash and Stat’s jock, but he never got the credit he deserved for making that offense work. And holding down their defense as well. Move him to LA and I think he’d fit in fine, especially defensively. Odom is just too inconsistent, sorry.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Blue says:
you’re right AP…
not that i like the lakers, but they should move Pau to the starting center spot and have Odom at the starting PF. Bynum should come off the bench. Bynum has been playing very unispired basketball. as a heat fan, i was expecting the bigs to just abuse Joel Anthony and Udonis Haslem, but it was much ado about nothing.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Mamba says:
As much as I love LO and his game, I do feel like he is sulking and not taking a very professional attitude, especially if he is up in Mansion getting his party on before a key stretch of games on a tough road trip,
Phil has always shifted guys around and challenged them in different ways, some have responded, others havent, though LO has endless talent, he has what one of my friends called a “Jello Heart” lmao a bit harsh but well taken,
I wouldnt be opposed to starting him with the other 4 and see what happens, you know Mitch is probably shopping him to see what his value is and if there would be a deal out there that makes sense - right now the Lakers have the talent but not nearly the swag of the C’s or Cavs - Im still waiting to see how they respond in New Orleans Tuesday and then back home in Hollywood Thursday,
There still is a LONG way to go
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Aron says:
@karizmatic
You guys are crazy! If one game is not going to be enough to provide evidence that he should start, how about 277? Odom wasn’t doing 17 and 12 consistently last season, but 14 and 11 ain’t bad.
@MoxWestCoastRep
I’m not pushing the panic button because the Lakers lost a couple games, as a Coach, I’m saying some guys perform better in a starting role than off the bench. It’s a mentality for these guys. To take a guy that has his warmups off during the National Anthem his whole career and then after having a great year, telling him he’s coming off the bench makes no sense and messes with his psyche.
@Kobeef
I agree. I love Ariza’s game, but the guy can be sixth man and lockdown guys and run that second unit. Even if he’s getting the minutes in the fourth quarter, you gotta start LO - especially over Walton.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
dagwaller says:
I would never fool around that late into Thursday night if I was being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play a game the next night. I don’t care if I’m not even going to play. Seriously, people need a reality check sometimes.
That having been said, nothing wrong with starting him. Some people just don’t have the mental strength to come off the bench if that’s what’s for the best of the team (a la Manu). Hopefully, he has the physical strength to be the starter.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
@ MAMBA,
“Jello Heart” that so fits Odom
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
@AP- Fair enough.
If thats the case, LO can take his fragile ass somewhere else! This is a TEAM and I trust Phil knows what he is doing. It shouldnt be about who starts, but who plays and plays during cruch time. Fucking Primadonnas!
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pm
E$ says:
they tried that last year & look what happened…..
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
PALakerFan says:
I like LO too, but he is too soft. He misses a ton - A TON - of 5 footers and in. He can be awesome though when he’s on.
If they’re serious about beating Boston or Cleveland in the Finals, they’ll need a defensive SF with Ariza backing that guy up.
They should trade LO for either Gerald Wallace or AK47. Either guy would be a tougher defender and are still big enough to attack the hoop.
They should also trade Luke Walton for anything. Seriously - anything. Another young PG would be nice, but a bag of socks would be fair too.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Vinny says:
oK I need to ask a question.
Why is everyone on Lamar is soft tip- he battles, he’s just inconsistent. If you ask me when that team is getting punked its usually Gasol-he might score more than Lamar-but he gets pushed around a lot. And Bynum hasnt played well-or provided much of a presense very much this season!!(but there still 21-and 5). Maybe they should bring Gasol’s soft ass off the bench-at least he would provide scoring for them off the bench.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
GEE...Talk that ish playboi! says:
Naw just trade dude for Josh Smith and there it is. I am done lol.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
PALakerFan says:
They need to pick up Pargo as a FA. I think he’s even better than Farmar.
The thing that’s frustrating about Lamar is he’ll never reach his potential. His ceiling is unbelievably high, but his hunger is average.
Yeah, Vinny people are getting really stupid about a couple losses. 21 and 5 is still on pace for 66 wins. Not too shabby. They need 2 defensive SF’s to battle Lebron or Pierce.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Vinny says:
rather than a defensive small forward PALakerFan(trevor ariza is that guy) they need 1 banger who can create space and grab tough rebounds-someone who wont get pushed around. Like a Reggie Evans(although his offense sucks-so like him but better,lol) and i consistent shooter- rad, sasha, farmar, walton,all are way to inconsistent.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
the cynic says:
Laker fans are psychos, always thinking the players are worth more then they really are; Utah would never trade AK47 for Odom; Bobcats wouldn’t trade Wallace for Odom; and the Heat wouldn’t Marion for Odom. Odom can’t shoot (never could, never will) and can only play the 4 position effectively, but he’s soft so he gets busted up by the tough 4’s in the league
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
T-Dub says:
Let’s watch Odom miss crucial free throws or 5 footers again. Honestly i’d rather watch kobe force his way than see this.
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
karizmatic says:
Aron, 14-11 isn’t bad my main point is that Lamar Odom is not consistent though. He’ll get you 20 and 10 one night and 8 and 5 the next. You can’t have a consistent game plan with him involved, and it upsets the offensive flow. I’m not saying he should post those numbers every night, that’s impossible but LO is inconsistent you never know which Lamar is going to show up. He’s kind of like Rasheed that way. You can’t be relying on a guy like that to be your second guy scoring. The other point is where does he fit in the Laker’s scheme. He can’t play 3 in the triangle because his jumper is suspect. His numbers have been down ever since being the sixth man. If Lamar was really as good as you say. He should be challenging for sixth man of the year right now. But he’s not. I’ve been watching LO for a while now, and I’m sorry to say he’s not that dude.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
PALakerFan says:
Cynic - you know trades are as much about contracts and future plans as they are about talent.
The Heat don’t plan on bringing back Marion after this season and LO and Wade were great together.
The Jazz have already been informed by Boozer that he’s going to explore free agency, so LO would fit that spot nicely, and AK47 has been a bit of a headcase for them.
For whatever reason, the crappy Bobcats have been trying to trade Wallace all season and Jordan probably figures he could use LO’s expiring deal to lure a big time free agent there in the offseason.
In addition to all of that evidence Cynic, we did just get Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, Javaris, and a corpse. Don’t be surprised if we walk away with one of those 3 guys.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
BROGDEN says:
On LO — “You can’t be relying on a guy like that to be your second guy scoring.” {— I agree. He can give you any category of stat but scoring POINTS is the one area I wouldn’t count on…’cause of said inconsistency.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
the cynic says:
@PALakerFan
Marion is better defender, rebounder, and shooter(they both suck though) then LO with the same expiring contract. LO is only useful in a high post offense because the one thing he does well is pass(kinda like Luke Walton) which Miami doesn’t run(they play helter skelter, with lots of pick n rolls)
AK47 is not a headcase, just an emotional guy who isn’t always comfortable in his surrounding(would be even worse in LA or NY). LO would only be useful making sandwichs for Milsap’s lunch
Bobcats are builing through the draft, that’s why they took DJ over Lopez; It’s easier to develop good guard play on bad teams rather then good big men. Besides do you really think Larry Brown is licking his chops over Lamar.
Grizz probably made that trade because the GM is best friends with a laker fan and he lost some type of bet
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Drink the Haterade - if you honestly think Marion’s a FOURTH FIDDLE in LA, you gotta put down the pipe. He’s only definitely behind Kobe, then it’s between him and Pau for #2 and if you’re trying to put Andrew “I’m barely as good as Kendrick Perkins right now” Bynum over him, you really are crazy.