<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For all the criticism Lamar Odom has faced at times this season, Lakers coach Phil Jackson appeared to finally run out of patience Sunday after watching the 6-foot-10 forward struggle to keep his composure after a call went against him. It happened with the Houston Rockets in the middle of their game-turning 15-0 run in the third quarter, as Odom tried to muscle in a shot against Dikembe Mutombo in the low post. Mutombo blocked Odom's initial attempt before Odom got a foul call trying to go back up with the ball. But Odom thought he was fouled on the shot and was slapped with a technical foul for arguing the call. It came on a night in which Odom could do little right, finishing with three points on 1-for-5 shooting in 29 minutes. He had five turnovers against one assist, and Jackson admitted afterward that he considered benching Odom the entire fourth quarter. Jackson, a believer in the karma of basketball, has grown tired of watching Odom's act with officials. Odom has a tendency to get taken out of a game mentally, sometimes as early as the first quarter, when a call does not go in his favor. "It was a disappointing game for him," Jackson said, "and he got into the referee and he got a technical and ultimately those things come back to haunt you over the course of a game." Jackson sat Odom for 10 minutes in the second half and sent him back out with 4:24 remaining only because he believed Luke Walton was tiring. Odom traveled on a critical possession with 2:03 left, trying to stop in the lane on a drive. "I thought he just wasn't fluid out there in the game," Jackson said. "He had very few opportunities and I just felt he was hesitant in operating offensively. ... He just didn't find a rhythm for himself out there in the ballgame." But Odom can redeem himself tonight against the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki, a player Odom has a history of frustrating on defense. Odom had 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the Lakers' Dec. 12 victory over Dallas. </div> Source This is the second time the coaching staff has called out Lamar Odom. Tex Winters was the first to point out his defeciencies, and now PJax has expressed frustration. Stepping up against Nowitzki tonight doesn't give him a free pass to slack off again. Odom needs to play at a high level every single game for the Lakers.
I agree, Odom has too much talent to let it be wasted. As Dime magazine once wondered, is he this generation's Derrick Coleman?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Char:</div><div class="quote_post">is he this generation's Derrick Coleman?</div> I think so
I know, such wasted potential. I think if Phil jackson doesn't get through to Lamar, it is hopeless for Lamar. Lamar has a chance to be Pippen to Kobe's Jordan.
According to 82games, Odom's overall +/- is a -1.1 for the Lakers. They actually play better when he's off the court. Here's a breakdown of all the areas the Lakers improve in when Odom is off the court. <font size=""1"">Net Points per 100 Possessions :: +1.3 (on) v. +4.8 (off) Effective FG% :: 47.2% (on) v. 47.4% (off) Assisted FGs :: 56% (on) v. 58% (off) Total Rebounding :: 50.9% (on) v. 51.7% (off) </font> The statistical evidence suggests Lamar Odom really doesn't have any impact on rebounding or assists, in fact the team is better at both when he's not on the court. The Lakers also force more turnovers (+3) when he's off the court. Per 100 possessions, the defense allows 5 less points when Odom is off the court.
I think it's about damn time to trade away Odom. He's getting on my nerves. He's passive on offense, he settles for too many jumpers when he should be going to the hoop, he shoots threes even though he's not a good three point shooter, etc., etc. The list goes on. Odom either needs to step it up or they need to trade him. Ron Artest is available, and to me, Odom for Artest and fillers sounds like a great idea, I just don't know if Indy managment would agree. Nevertheless though, he needs to figure it out or we need to get rid of him.
We need to trade Odom. If you think about it, right now Odom and Bryant are the 2 cornerstones to getting this franchise back to title contention. While I trust Kobe with that responsibility, how can we trust Odom to shoulder the burden to a championship when he can't even shoulder the burden of the regular season? Trade him.
"Nate Robinson is the closest thing to Jesus on this planet. " I think Jesus was definitely a small forward, maybe we could get him to replace Odom and run the triangle, or would you then call it the cross.
Lol, You quoted Shard's quote in my sig, it s not a post. Although it originally was, in that "Nate not so great Robinson" thread. I agree, Odom needs to be traded. He's been passive his whole career. Ron Artest for Lamar Odom and fillers sounds good, I'd like to see what Phil Jackson can do with Ron. If Phil thought Kobe was uncoachable at one point...
I don't think Ron is as much of a pain in the ass for his coach as he is for management lol. Even if it wasn't Lamar for Artest, I'd be happy. Just someone that's aggressive and can create but would know when to hand the ball to Kobe.... Any one have any idea who that could be?
I said it at the beginning of the season and I'm going to say it again.........Lamar Odom is one of the top inconsisted players in the league. I'm getting tired of him and I think it is time to trade him; however, I always love listening to my dad curse Odom out when we are watching the game together. J/K
