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JSM
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Joined: 28 Apr 2003
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 Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:46 am Post subject: LA Times Blog: Report Card - Lamar Odom |
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LA Times Blog: Business as usual: An offseason that features speculation over Lamar Odom's future with the Lakers, a ritual that gains even more intrigue this summer with his contract entering its final year. Business as anything but usual: Seeing Lamar Odom finally become the player everyone wished he could be, which ironically stemmed from finally being the player he wished he could be.
Until this season, Odom's time in purple and gold was spent operating outside his comfort zone, which is filling out the less glamorous sections of a stat line and not making points a primary concern. Middle ground was achieved in fleeting bits, which led to the consistent "inconsistent" tag. It's not that Lamar can't or won't score. He just doesn't have a scorer's mentality and happens to be the rare player actually honest when claiming not to judge a performance by points. When he gets the ball, his first instinct isn't to figure out how to make it stroke nylon. Never has been and never will be.
Can this be maddening? At times, sure. I too get frustrated by those "7 FGA" games (unless they're accompanied by as many or more free throws). But at the same time, players willing to let others "get theirs" ain't necessarily a bad thing. There's more to playing "aggressively" than points tallied. The trick finding a balance and for so long, LO was being used in a way that left him and the Lakers unbalanced. A square peg (an extremely versatile third/fourth option) forced into a round hole (20 ppg/second option expectations), and instead of finding a round peg, the Lakers seemed determined to make Lamar who he isn't. But then through one big roster change and the rapid development by one particular player, the need for Lamar to rack points in a specific way vanished. Then a funny thing happened.
Points - along with an more efficient and consistent game - finally began to flow.
People always describe Lamar's season as "taking off" upon Pau Gasol's arrival. And that's certainly the truth. But it's also an incomplete truth. We'd already seen LO flourish upon Andrew Bynum's sudden blossoming into a dependable low post presence. That was right around when Kobe Bryant declared his team a championship contender with Drew in the lineup... and of course, Lamar kicking arse as Alfred to their Batman and Robin. If you check out Lamar's game logs against Bynum's and Gasol's or on a month to month basis, the trends are pretty marked. LO's November (before Drew was a full-time starter) and January (much of which was spent pre-Gasol, post-Bynum) comprise the least productive 30 day sets. But everything else was pretty terrific. Career highs for rebounds (10.6, NBA-7th), FG % (52.5, with a scorching 59% after the All-Star break), career lows for turnovers (2.0) and treys launched (1.5, indicative of more time spent attacking the rack) and many other clips that simply represented his best work as a Laker.
On the other side of the ball, LO is often the team's most underrated defender and definitely among the more willing. Beyond that, his influence as an emotional leader shouldn't go overlooked. Many a Laker has pinpointed time in Hawaii eating killer team breakfasts, lunches and dinners as the kick off for the celebrated bond this season. Guess who decided to hire a private chef specifically because he thought a Helter Skelter summer needed a little smoothing? Finding better people in the NBA than Lamar is a tough quest and I do think that character is an asset. Was his season always perfect? No. Do the occasional brain cramps still surface? Indeed. Did he crap out at times during the playoffs? Yeah, especially against the Celtics, a series that featured one terrific Game 5, a great first half in Game 4 and scattered everything else. But at the same time, no Laker (Kobe included) played more than one game unquestionably good from top to bottom. All in all, 2008 treated Odom well and in turn, he paid it forward to the Lakers.
Which brings us full circle to where we are now: Wondering what becomes of LO. Roughly 90 seconds passed after Game 6 before many a reader began shouting from the mountain top, "Lamar needs to be moved ASAFP!" That a deal hasn't already been made whirls these folks in a tizzy. My advice for this contingent: Take a Xanax. Draw a bubble bath. Chill. There is absolutely no reason to panic, no reason not to see how Lamar plays with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (or even off the bench as a sixth man) before deciding that he absolutely "can't" fit. If that's indeed the case, his contract won't be any less expiring in February than next week.
And if he can fit (which I personally think will be the case), you're looking at a chance to resign the league's best fourth option with Bird Rights at a discount (which he'll have to take no matter where he goes). Either way, learn what you have before speculating what you don't. This season was successful on many levels because of patience (with young players the front office believed in, with not acquiring the first "name" possible to appease Kobe, with getting the most out of Kwame's expiring deal), yet everyone gets all goony bird because the shorthanded Lakers lost in the Finals. If we learned (or should have learned) anything from the Caron Butler swap, it's that sending out a player before getting a full look at him with teammates over fears of "losing him for nothing," his "role," or money is a mistake. Thankfully, I'm confident the Lakers will maintain this mindset when it comes to LO. After the 2008 he enjoyed, they'd be silly not to.
Final Grade: A- |
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Mo Rings
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:53 am Post subject: |
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Nice write up.. At least some folks understand Lamar's game.
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Big Worm
Joined: 13 Dec 2007
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Location: Don't worry bout that, Pat-Nah
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: |
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He had a great season, up to the finals. definitely better than i expected this season.
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Kobe>Jordan
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Location: giggling at the concept of patriotic and laughing at heroic
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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I'm glad to read somebody who gives an accurate analysis of Lamar as opposed to just crying for him to leave. His contract will be just as valuable at the trade deadline if not more valuable than it is now. I think has at least earned the opportunity to try and work with the twin towers in the middle. If it doesn't work out we unload him at the trade deadline for Marion, or Wallace or however else will be a better fit. But I think we have to at least give that lineup a try being as we've never seen on the court together. Everyone declaring how this lineup has no chance of working without ever seeing on the court really baffle me.
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Mark Jackson-"My statement [last season] was that at the end of the day Kobe will be considered better.
If there was a draft of all-time greats and you took Michael Jordan and I was left with Kobe Bryant - in the past, I would be upset about not having the No. 1 pick, but today, realizing how good this kid is, I'm not upset at all about having Kobe Bryant as my starting two." |
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John3:16
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
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Location: Begging Mitch to trade O Freaking Dumb
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revgen
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marvzkie
Joined: 14 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| boston just played better D... and we cant blame lamar for that. he was good in all playoff series except the finals. all he needs is a little adjustment in his game (and confidence). |
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last stand
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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| revgen wrote: |
| John3:16 wrote: |
| We can get an all-star for $14 million a year. To not trade him would be absolutely criminal. |
What NBA all-star SF or PG wants to be a 4th option and who's available to trade? |
one that wants to win a title
i bet you tracy mcgrady would come here in a second if given the choice |
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daco_inc
Joined: 01 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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| last stand wrote: |
| revgen wrote: |
| John3:16 wrote: |
| We can get an all-star for $14 million a year. To not trade him would be absolutely criminal. |
What NBA all-star SF or PG wants to be a 4th option and who's available to trade? |
one that wants to win a title
i bet you tracy mcgrady would come here in a second if given the choice |
Of course. You ask almost any all-star caliber SF if they want to play with the top west contender and they'll say yes. Too bad it's not that simple.
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leakbrewergator
Joined: 23 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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Wow I can't believe there isn't any Odom bashing going on in this thread.
You would think CL posters actually liked the guy.....
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jeidub
Joined: 09 Aug 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| John3:16 wrote: |
| I was really down on him, and then he played great after the ASG. However, his Finals disappearing act is reason enough for him to be traded. We can get an all-star for $14 million a year. To not trade him would be absolutely criminal. |
So you're a hater, you only look at one persons bad mistake and already lead it into him needing to get traded. he started the season strong and ended the season strong. the man shot 59% after the all-star break, there is downside to his game, who doesn't? Who was guarding lamar most of the time in the Finals? KG, lamar is nowhere near KG's game and KG's length forced Lamar to alter his shots. |
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Big Worm
Joined: 13 Dec 2007
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Location: Don't worry bout that, Pat-Nah
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject: |
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| leakbrewergator wrote: |
Wow I can't believe there isn't any Odom bashing going on in this thread.
You would think CL posters actually liked the guy..... |
I think most of use are holding back, i know i am.
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N00ble182
Joined: 22 May 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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| He should get a D+ imo, the only reason he passes is because he played good up until the finals, where he disappeared. Not saying he should be traded because of that, but definetly has to go. He simply does not fit in as a Laker, next season we are gonna have 2 dominant 7 footers in the middle. We need someone at the 3 who can shoot the 3, defend well, and be a slasher. Odom does none of those things, if you ask him to attack the basket he will either take a contested jump shot or drive right into a guys body and get a charge. |
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Juronimo
Joined: 14 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Mo Rings wrote: |
| Nice write up.. At least some folks understand Lamar's game. |
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lakers 24 blessing
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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Odumb should have had a high D or lower C at best, his overall played was no where near grade B's level...not to mention he completely disappeared in the playoffs!!! honestly, Odumb is an underachived player just like Kwammmaayyy!!!  |
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Barnstable
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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Great article and correct on every account IMO.
Don't give Odom away for nothing. If Mitch can't get a deal that looks like a sure upgrade, he should just see what happenes next season and trade him if things don't workout in the first half of the season.
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revgen
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A Rush
Joined: 02 Apr 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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| I'd give Lamar a B. And ship him out as soon as an opportunity presents itself. |
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KOBEhastheMAGIC
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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Bunch of hooey. Odom needs to be traded now. We can't be integrating players mid-season. Championships have to be won now. Stop wasting Kobe's prime and get Odom out of here.
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Kobe Byant has brought the Lakers three championships, 4 Finals in 5 years, carried an absolutely pathetic team to the playoffs in the loaded Western Conference twice and almost upset the so-called MVP, and has given us countless thrills and memories. If you are not a Kobe fan, then you are not a Laker fan, period. |
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LALShowtime
Joined: 22 Oct 2005
Posts: 631
Location: VA
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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The biggest problem with Odom is that he has the talent, potentiol and skill level to be sooo much more.
He should easily be a league all-star but has settled on a good role player role, he's a pf who can play sf run the point, can take big defenders off the dribble, can bang effectively down low, and can rebound extremely well and can create shots for himself and his teammates.
All these skills and he still plays mediocore. |
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KOBEhastheMAGIC
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:00 am Post subject: |
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| jeidub wrote: |
| John3:16 wrote: |
| I was really down on him, and then he played great after the ASG. However, his Finals disappearing act is reason enough for him to be traded. We can get an all-star for $14 million a year. To not trade him would be absolutely criminal. |
So you're a hater, you only look at one persons bad mistake and already lead it into him needing to get traded. he started the season strong and ended the season strong. the man shot 59% after the all-star break, there is downside to his game, who doesn't? Who was guarding lamar most of the time in the Finals? KG, lamar is nowhere near KG's game and KG's length forced Lamar to alter his shots. |
Nobody. KG and PJ Brown just sagged way off him and made life painful for Pau and Kobe. Lamar was a major liability in the Finals and will be nothing short of that as a small forward next year.
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Kobe Byant has brought the Lakers three championships, 4 Finals in 5 years, carried an absolutely pathetic team to the playoffs in the loaded Western Conference twice and almost upset the so-called MVP, and has given us countless thrills and memories. If you are not a Kobe fan, then you are not a Laker fan, period. |
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marvzkie
Joined: 14 Jun 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:34 am Post subject: |
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man, i cant believe someone's comparing lamar to kwame. having problem scoring against KG makes odom a player that cant play at all... how sad
without lamar, they wont go as far as the finals. with a lineup like kobe, fish, gasol and lamar then making it past the finals is impressive already. add bynum to the mix and theres no stopping them.
if u want a change of the starting SF position, then get rid of vlad! he's almost a 7 foot guy that cant score inside. no post move and no consistency from beyond the arc |
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J.C. Smith
Joined: 13 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 2:49 am Post subject: |
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| KOBEhastheMAGIC wrote: |
| Bunch of hooey. Odom needs to be traded now. We can't be integrating players mid-season. Championships have to be won now. Stop wasting Kobe's prime and get Odom out of here. |
Whoa, we have seen the resurrection of the waisting Kobe's prime argument. Impressive. Odom averaged one less than a point and a rebound less in the finals than he had throughout the playoffs. In fact after 3 shaky foul troubled games, he strung together three good games to close the finals. If your going to play the disappearing in the Finals game, Kobe had the largest drop off, nearly 5 points, 7% on his field goal percentage, a rebound, a half assist. So if Odom didn't show up, he wasn't the only one. |
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KOBEhastheMAGIC
Joined: 21 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 3:47 am Post subject: |
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| J.C. Smith wrote: |
| KOBEhastheMAGIC wrote: |
| Bunch of hooey. Odom needs to be traded now. We can't be integrating players mid-season. Championships have to be won now. Stop wasting Kobe's prime and get Odom out of here. |
Whoa, we have seen the resurrection of the waisting Kobe's prime argument. Impressive. Odom averaged one less than a point and a rebound less in the finals than he had throughout the playoffs. In fact after 3 shaky foul troubled games, he strung together three good games to close the finals. If your going to play the disappearing in the Finals game, Kobe had the largest drop off, nearly 5 points, 7% on his field goal percentage, a rebound, a half assist. So if Odom didn't show up, he wasn't the only one. |
Odom was the only one not being guarded. KG and PJ Brown knew that Odom is useless on the perimeter so they went over and made life hell for Kobe and Pau. Kobe had the entire Celtic defense stacked against him , faced hard doubles off the pick and roll, scouting all the time, and doubling off the ball. Jordan wouldn't be able to do anything against that. Meanwhile one of the premier guys who should have been making the Celtics pay for hounding Kobe like that managed to disappear with nobody guarding him. Plain and simple, he was a liability in the Finals and will continue to hand-cap Kobe, Pau, and Bynum next year when he is on the perimeter full time. Trade him now. If we try and integrate a player at the deadline we will come up short again and for the fifth year in a row waste Kobe's prime.
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Kobe Byant has brought the Lakers three championships, 4 Finals in 5 years, carried an absolutely pathetic team to the playoffs in the loaded Western Conference twice and almost upset the so-called MVP, and has given us countless thrills and memories. If you are not a Kobe fan, then you are not a Laker fan, period. |
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Old Fashioned
Joined: 19 Dec 2007
Posts: 293
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: |
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A-? WHAT A JOKE
HE GET A D FROM ME |
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Lakerjones
Joined: 30 Jun 2007
Posts: 1120
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: |
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| Old Fashioned wrote: |
A-? WHAT A JOKE
HE GET A D FROM ME |
Why?
I think the analysis was right on point - LO was phenomenal for most of the year and most of the playoffs as our 4, but particularly with Pau at 5. He rebounded the hell out of the ball and worked incredibly well on the offense with Pau getting him looks on the dive cut. Once he figured out the dive cut our team was on fire. Let's not forget how incredible our offense looked during the stretch of the regular season and deep into the playoffs with Pau and Lamar.
But, that all said, things are going to be different. The writer neglected to mention that in November when Lamar came back one of the reasons his numbers were down is that he was thrust back into the Small Forward position. So there's the problem once again. This guy is using the old "I have faith he'll fit with Bynum and Pau" line. And he still doesn't give any reason why it will work. We're all familiar here with why it probably WON'T work. He's covering his butt by mentioning as an aside, "Well maybe it'll be as a sixth man." And that's sounding more and more like what should and will happen.
So yeah, LO had a pretty fantastic year as third fiddle starting PF, especially with Pau. This guy doesn't give Pau enough credit IMO because LO's game really started to flourish all around once he got here. Those two developed a really nice chemistry. But we'll see . . . everything changes. |
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lakerfan2
Joined: 21 Feb 2007
Posts: 2862
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:04 am Post subject: |
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A- is a little much.
I'd give him a B. His disappearing acts came at the worst times.
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"He(Bynum) was cradling a basketball as if he were holding an infant in his arm, 'I can't wait for this season.' " |
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last stand
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
Posts: 2055
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:04 am Post subject: |
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| revgen wrote: |
| last stand wrote: |
| revgen wrote: |
| John3:16 wrote: |
| We can get an all-star for $14 million a year. To not trade him would be absolutely criminal. |
What NBA all-star SF or PG wants to be a 4th option and who's available to trade? |
one that wants to win a title
i bet you tracy mcgrady would come here in a second if given the choice |
McGrady doesn't make the choice. The Rockets do. Hence the "available to trade" part. |
just saw the last part of your statement
i never said he was available just said he would be willing to come in and do whatever it takes |
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spitty
Joined: 27 Apr 2006
Posts: 4142
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:06 am Post subject: |
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He is good in terms of not having much of a negative impact on the game other than occasional charges on offense. Unlike, Luke or some scrubs who have more negative impact.
But next year if lamar continues to play like this he will have a negative impact on floor spreading.
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last stand
Joined: 26 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:11 am Post subject: |
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lamar is well a mismatch at PF
he was the 2nd best player in the utah series and the san antonio series along with his play in the second half of the season i give him an B+
but with his terrible shooting, tweener nature, inability to play SF i still think as good as he was last year he needs to either be moved to the bench or traded |
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