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NBA - Sports Rumors

Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:30 am EDT

Odom back in a role of importance for Lakers

By Joe Zedalis

Lamar Odom

Getty Images

Ready or not, Lamar Odom is the Lakers' No. 2 option again according to the Los Angeles Times. He had been coasting along quietly, putting up substantial numbers as the third option behind Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, with the prospect of being No. 4 once Andrew Bynum returned from injury.


Then came another twist of fate after another injury, and Odom was pushed back up to secondary importance. He had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 104-92 loss Sunday to Houston, and seemed to lament the fact that he wasn't found more often in the post.

"Guys have got to recognize as a team what's working," he said. "Tonight, we didn't do that. Other teams notice. It just takes recognition as a team, from all the guys, to what's working and what's not."

Source: Los Angeles TimesNew Window

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39 Comments

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  1. Shea B
    1. Posted by Shea B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    once bynum and gasol are both back the lakers will be unbeatable
  2. Edwin
    2. Posted by Edwin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    I am just going to say this once again. It's all about playing the games. The weirdest things always happen. Think next time you make your team God's gift to the Basketball world.
  3. Kelvin J
    3. Posted by Kelvin J Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    I love this quote from Odom. For someone that has been labeled soft the majority of his career, I admire him for complaing about guys not recognizing the obvious mismatches on the floor. Which he was the mismatch all night long. Noone on the rockets could guard him but LA failed to exploit that.
  4. david m
    4. Posted by david m Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    I wish people would realize this is the type of team LA has become. A go-to-Kobie first team. I think it's a rule that Kobie must touch the ball 3 to 4 times before anyone else shoots. I mean Odom is a decent player, and can knock down the shots when he can operate within the O, but if he is stifled, like most players are when they join LA, he just becomes another filler guy. I love Pau, and have begun to really enjoy Bynum, but they are both in the wrong place to grow, and will only become shadows or trade bait behind Kobies selfish play once he decides they are taking his "shine" or too many shots. Don't belive me, just ask Shaq.
  5. ip f
    5. Posted by ip f Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:26 pm EDT

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    Odom has always shied away from this role and performs every few games or so in it. I guess he felt like performing against the Rockets. As for Kobe being selfish, do you think the man has time during the game to go to Odom and check if his A$$ is puckered against the team? Odom has always had a problem being assertive. The man has an overall skillset that is unique and if he only had heart, he'd be putting up some good stats, he'd create serious match up problems and the others would find life so much easier operating within the triangle. The difference between Odom and Kobe is that Kobe is just going to simply put his stamp and impose his will on every game, Odom just defers.
  6. rick
    6. Posted by rick Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:43 pm EDT

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    where are all the the haterz that said the Lakers would pound the Rockets!!!22 and counting. not even close. McGrady has 11 points and you lose by 12? tisk tisk tisk....ohh well....Go Rockets!
  7. joarby2
    7. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    It doesn't matter...Lakers are a terrific team but will not win this year! Tall and skillful but lack strength is why they won't make the Finals! I have said this all year about them and I will stick to it.
    Gasol will not do well if a stronger defender is on him but will score ONLY if Kobe can break down the D!
    Bynum is weak but will ONLY score in the paint if Kobe can break down the D!
    Odom will do well but he may not get to see the ball much when Gasol and Bynum are on the court!
    Fisher won't see to many shots!
    Kobe won't be able to break down the D b/c of too many big man inside the paint. He will be very frustrated and will be force to take jumpers!
    As for the second units...choke city! This is b/c all the games will be closer or they will be trailing as Kobe will demand most of the shots!
    Hey, I have made my predictions about the current 4 games and got people like kmxwhat, Drake B and Hector D criticizing me for it but I am 2 for 2 so far! So, where are you guys...haven't heard from you 3 since the lost to NO and Houston!!!
  8. .
    8. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    WELL THATS BECAUSE HES KOBE,,,,BUT YOU CANT EXPECT EVEN a great player like him to do it all the time......its a team game.....Hes Destroyed dallas by himself many time as well..........But i still dont expect him to do it by himself.....The Lakers have 2 of there top 3 players out right now.....You cant expect to much,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if the spurs lose Duncan and Paker,,,,,and leave Ginobli alone......Its all freaken over,,,,,theres no way Ginobli can ever do anytthing,,,,he will lose 14 in a row.
  9. .
    9. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    TexasASs....you keep telling yourself that,,,the Lakers have been douubted all year long,,,they were not even suppose to be where they are now.....So doesnt matter what dribbles out of your mouth,
  10. kmxwhat
    10. Posted by kmxwhat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    #17....i wasn't critizing you...i predicted 3-1 or 4-0 with Gasol in the lineup....now without Gasol, its really hard now....
    i know with Gasol in the lineup against Houston, he would have taken advantage of the mis-matches...
  11. kmxwhat
    11. Posted by kmxwhat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    anyways, with the way the western conference is now...its doesn't matter who is #1...every team can knock off anybody in the playoffs....playoffs will be the real season for the west....
  12. joarby2
    12. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Dallas has been playing really well but Kobe can put circles around Stackhouse and all the other players there except for Kidd! This is the one team that I predicted the Lakers would win but w/o Gasol...I am no longer certain!
  13. Kyle in Lodi (Just another Laker year!)
    13. Posted by Kyle in Lodi (Just another Laker year!) Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    THE CHAMP IS HEEEEERRRRE!!! and now here's texas wannabe gringo acting like his drunk self...again. my god this is funny....
  14. Hope4New
    14. Posted by Hope4New Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:50 pm EDT

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    I agree with Odom... a few more shots by him... and a few less bonehead shots by Kobe might have made a difference in the outcome. It makes you wonder how far the Lakers will fall until Gasol comes back.
  15. andrew_six
    15. Posted by andrew_six Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:54 pm EDT

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    I am going to give the stats monkeys and Kobe nut-huggers fits here, but Odom is the most consistent player on the Lakers. He was the ONLY person to show up in the Phoenix series last season where the Lakers were eliminated in the first round, again. I love Odom's style. He is good for 15 and 15 most nights. If he were on another team it would be 25 and 15 easily. Too bad he plays third or fourth fiddle to a bunch of ball hogs in an offense that doesn't work without Michael Jordan and a team of slaves.
  16. sunsfanphx1(RIP Steve McNair)
    16. Posted by sunsfanphx1(RIP Steve McNair) Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    Odom is a lost cause for the Lakers- he's only been good as a 4th option. And this from a guy who was supposed to be a first option anywhere else. Lucky for the Lakers, Bynum has broken out and they landed Gasol, because Odom was not going to get the jobe done with Kobe...
  17. Purple and Gold
    17. Posted by Purple and Gold Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:04 pm EDT

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    Kobe won't pass to Lamar because Lamar outside jump shots are inconsistent. Lamar is more of a 'driving the lane' type of player. But even as a Laker fan I will admit Kobe is a ball hog. Without Gasol, Bynum & Ariza the Lakers can only go so far and it shows during these past 2 games. Hopefully they'll all come back healthy when playoff time comes around.
  18. Kyle in Lodi (Just another Laker year!)
    18. Posted by Kyle in Lodi (Just another Laker year!) Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    hows odom a lost cause...he's at least had a double double last four games
  19. joarby2
    19. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    kmxwhat...I appreciate the comment, I still I stand by my predictions even with Gasol playing or not. The Lakers are taller and skillful but not strong and when you put that up against speed and strength...guess what speed and strength will win. Against Houston, the Lakers had a better chance with Turiaf at Center than Gasol but they lost anyway. Farmar had no answer for Alston and Kobe couldn't shoot over Battier! The following teams I think will give the Lakers problems: Detroit, Boston, SA, NO, Utah, Houston, Cleveland and Phoenix.
  20. *GoW*
    20. Posted by *GoW* Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    do u think the lakers can get marion next yr if he gets a buy out from the heat?
    GO ROCKETS!! 22-0 !!! WHO'S NEXT?
  21. kmxwhat
    21. Posted by kmxwhat Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    as a laker fan, i have to admit i did not like kobe's games yesterday...11-33shooting...thats terrible..and he only went to the line twice...that really killed us there....
  22. joarby2
    22. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Purple and Gold: Odom is both a jump shooter and a slasher but it is difficult b/c the paint is too congested with too many big players! When you have Bynum, Gasol, and Odom on the front court along with 3 other big players from the opponent...I doubt very much there will be much slashing! This is why I predicted the Lakers cannot get pass the second round. Kobe will end up hogging most of the shots as all lanes will be too congested and frustration will take over and the rest of the Lakers will be rendered useless just like the series against Houston!
  23. .
    23. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    Odom is not to great as 2nd option,,,But is great as 3rd 4th 5th,,,,,,...Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom,Farmar,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The lakers with Bynum Have plenty of strength,,,,Not Only was Bynum # 2 in Dunks in only 27 Minutes in the league,,,,He was also Number 1 in Field goald %,,,,,He blocked Shots like crazy,,,He altered many more,,Gasol was getting so many Lobs for dunks from kobe and everyone else it has been crazy,,,,with Pau 14-3,,,Add Nynum to that Who is Big and Play at Both ends,,,Nomore easy lay ups with 2 Dominant 7 foot players gaurding,,,,,,No matter what all you doubters say, keep doubting,,,,We havnt seen the real lakers all together yet,,,,Lakers have been doubted before the season started, even with all the injuries the lakers are still fine, its all good for laker fans,
  24. joarby2
    24. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    GoW: First, if Marion goes to the Lakers...they will win it all. It would not be fair for the rest of the league!
    Second, who's next for the Rockets??? Boston, NO, GS and Pho...whoever is bigger and stronger will beat speed and defense or whoever is quicker and more defensive minded will beat the Rockets! Obviously it wasn't the Lakers as they are taller and more skillful but it won't beat speek and defense!
  25. .
    25. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    joarby do you know anything about basketball??? HAHAHAHA,,,why do you think the lakers have been in first place???? because they have had an Inside outside game as with kareem, and shaq,,,,Now gasol is out as well of course there gonna loose,,,,You add Bynum in there with Gasol,,,And you have 2 explosive options in the post,,,IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE GAME,,,,you would know that that spells a Matchup nightmare for any team.,,,,Not only does it make the lakers Strong but probably the strongest team in the post....Stop talking about this Houston game,,its almost impossible to win when the lakers have all 3 of there CENTERS out for now,,,,,,,,,,and it will be no shock if they lose the next 2 as well.....The lakers are predictable for now ,,,,cause they have no low post,

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