The days off are going to help Odom's back recover. He played with a back support the last two games in the WCF and was more confident with it on. He even dived on the court to save a possesion for us. What I'm looking for is Odom getting his explosiveness back.
He is definitely the X-factor, I wouldn't say MVP. Having Kobe opens everything up for Gasol, Odom, and Bynum.
Yes I believe that is the case to a degree, certainly he knows various people within the organization if I recall.
Yeah I know a lot of people in the organization and I hang out with a lot of current and ex players. I don't work for the Lakers organization though.
For what its worth, adjusted +/- suggests he's the most positive difference maker on the Lakers this season. http://basketballvalue.com/teamplayers.php?year=2008-2009&team=LAL