<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar Odom spent his final minutes on the court shaking his head over and over, then staring vacantly into the stands because he didn't want to look at anyone on his team. Once he was pulled from the Lakers' first loss of the season, Odom sat at the end of the bench, slipped the gold chain and gold cross he has taken to wearing for all non-playing times this season and briefly explained his frustrations to teammate Kobe Bryant. The Lakers lost to the Seattle SuperSonics, 117-101, on Sunday night to drop to 3-1 this season. And it was clear that Odom, who scored 11 points and took just six shots from the field, believed it would have been 4-0 if his teammates had given him more chances to continue his 28-point-per-game roll. "We've got to recognize what's going on offensively," said Odom, who had just three second-half points. "We've got to execute and get the ball to guys in scoring position." Odom then began to cite an example, saying, "One time ..." but stopped himself. Instead, he continued speaking in generalities instead of direct criticisms, even though his tone remained uncharacteristically harsh with frustration: "I felt good. I'm not tired or anything like that." There was one time, in the fourth quarter, when Odom ran across the court to get the ball from teammate Smush Parker as the shot clock wound down and Parker was trapped without his dribble. Parker, however, moved the ball away despite Odom standing next to him, and Odom was visibly upset. Odom had scored 28 points against Seattle just two nights before. Asked what the SuperSonics did differently this time on defense, Odom said: "They didn't do nothin.' They just came out and played really hard. I can't wait to see them again." Lakers coach Phil Jackson offered this summary of Odom's 35 minutes of action: "Lamar came out, and he was really active and shot the ball. "For some reason or another, he turned down almost all the shots the rest of the game. He really carried us in the first quarter and got us off to a jump." Asked if he grew more tentative as the game went on, Odom said: "I'm never tentative. I can play. I got my shot whenever I wanted to, got to the basket, shot 50percent from three(-point range), got fouled. "It's just one of those games, I guess. We've got to recognize. We've got to have good team recognition." The depth of the sting Odom is feeling is a result of his vow to be a changed, consistent player this season after the death of his infant son in July. Odom has said he wants to vault himself to All-Star status, which would figure to make the Lakers extremely successful this season, too. For three games, they were just that with Odom shooting 54percent from the field, 72.7percent from three-point range and 84.6percent from the foul line while his 21 assists more than doubled anyone else's total on the team. Yet on this night, the Lakers appeared to lose focus on offense after a hot start that saw them make 10 of 11 shots, and Bryant record five assists before even taking a shot. The Lakers' shoddy offensive execution carried over to the other end, where their new switching defense rotated in wobbly fashion, and Seattle's Ray Allen (32 points) and Rashard Lewis (25) took advantage. Jackson loudly chastised Brian Cook, Vladimir Radmanovic and Ronny Turiaf, in particular, during the game about errors on defense. "We weren't prepared," said Jackson, who before the game had previewed the matchup with a hungry Seattle team as "a real test" for his team. </div> Link
Nice article. I like Odom's attitude and Im glad he expressed it. He's putting his heart into this team, and thats huge for our success this season.
I'm just glad that unlike past seasons, Odom is expressing that he wants to step up and be the man. He no longer is willing to sit back and be "another" player in the game. He wants to get out there and produce.
There's that man's name again, William Smush Parker. Don't be surprised to see Smush drop to 4th in the PG rotation by the time this season ends.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">There's that man's name again, William Smush Parker. Don't be surprised to see Smush drop to 4th in the PG rotation by the time this season ends.</div> I've expressed my dislike for Smush ever since the pre-season. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Smush looks disinterested out there on the court. He doesn't try at all. He gets burned on defense all night, and makes all these stupid bone headed plays on offense. Unless Smush makes drastic strides, I hope the Lakers don't resign him in the off-season.
It's the weirdest thing, last year I HATED smush, like a lot. But this year, it's like I kinda feel bad for him, except how he NEVER stays in front of his freakin man on defense Poor guy is only making 700,000 while other Lakers are making millions, that really sucks. When I think of Smush, I think of a real street baller, AND 1 stuff, maybe that's where he's best at?
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's the weirdest thing, last year I HATED smush, like a lot. But this year, it's like I kinda feel bad for him, except how he NEVER stays in front of his freakin man on defense Poor guy is only making 700,000 while other Lakers are making millions, that really sucks. When I think of Smush, I think of a real street baller, AND 1 stuff, maybe that's where he's best at?</div> You hated Smush last year? I actually liked Smush last year, because no matter how you look at it, he definetly exceeded expectations. He came from being a training camp body to being our starting point guard. Just think, if we didn't have Smush starting last season, who would? Sasha? McKie? Anyways, I'm done defending him. It is a new season, and so far I have been very disappointed. He just doesn't try out there on the court and makes one bone headed play after another. It doesn't even seem like he wants to be out there. This is sort of weird IMO since it is his contract year, and if anything, I thought he would have at least improved from last season.......
<div class="quote_poster">Bobcats Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">ONLY $700,000 a year? Aw, poor baby.</div> I knew someone was gonna say that, and I meant to word it differently. by ONLY i meant in context to what NBA player salaries are. No ****, 700,000 is prob more than what our parents make combined in a year, but we're talking NBA player salaries. I think Smush is a steal for 700K a year, and I think if he works on his defense and stays in front of his man, he'll be a really good player. ANd for the record, Smush doesn't look disinterested being out there, it's only when a foul or something is called on him, he gets disappointed at himself, that's all.
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> I think Smush is a steal for 700K a year, and I think if he works on his defense and stays in front of his man, he'll be a really good player. ANd for the record, Smush doesn't look disinterested being out there, it's only when a foul or something is called on him, he gets disappointed at himself, that's all.</div> Smush can be a good player in this league, he certainly does have the potential, but it won't matter unless he is willing to work hard and is willing to play hard. Smush has looked disinterested in games. So far, he has looked very lazy, and it doesn't seem like he gives it his all. He just doesn't seem focused to me, which can explain all the stupid turnovers he creates on offense. (either he isn't focused or he is very dumb)
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No ****, 700,000 is prob more than what our parents make combined in a year, but we're talking NBA player salaries. </div> yeah, Probably.... the average income in the U.S. is about $38,000. So times that by 2 is $76,000. That's a loooooooonnnnnnng way from $700,000.
He makes more money than Turiaf's making, so Smush better not be complaining about being under paid. Besides, the best chance for him to get an increase in salary is to play very well in a contract year. What I don't like about Smush is his non chalant attitude on the court. I don't think he appreciates the situation he's in and its frustrating to watch him blow it every game. He has the talent to be a very solid role player for the Lakers, but he's not putting the effort forward to be that guy.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">He makes more money than Turiaf's making, so Smush better not be complaining about being under paid. Besides, the best chance for him to get an increase in salary is to play very well in a contract year. What I don't like about Smush is his non chalant attitude on the court. I don't think he appreciates the situation he's in and its frustrating to watch him blow it every game. He has the talent to be a very solid role player for the Lakers, but he's not putting the effort forward to be that guy.</div> Shape, i get the feeling that you want Smush off the team!
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">yeah, Probably.... the average income in the U.S. is about $38,000. So times that by 2 is $76,000. That's a loooooooonnnnnnng way from $700,000.</div> You're good with your numbers, I gotta give it to you.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">yeah, Probably.... the average income in the U.S. is about $38,000. So times that by 2 is $76,000. That's a loooooooonnnnnnng way from $700,000.</div> You're good with your numbers, I'll give that to you.
Well, Smush hopefully doesn't want more money because what he's doing I could do. The Lakers should give me $700000 and I'll play better defense than Smush. Turiaf should be paid more than Parker.
By the the time the season ends. Smush will be out of the rotation. He played horrible against the SOnics and was 2-7 last nigth. This guys does not play defense, does not cut to the basket, does not provide assist. Waste of PG position. Give it to Sasha or Farmar.
I liked Smush for half of last season, and then when he took off the 2nd half of the season, my liking of him dropped extremely. He doesn't play defense. His offense has been horrible since the playoffs. He doesn't set anyone up on offense. He can't hit a damn free throw. He does nothing for us except hit the occasional trey or layup. I'd much rather see Farmar starting now. He's been impressive here in the early season, probably outplaying Smush so far. He knows and understands the tri already, something Smush hasn't accomplished. The kid is extremely mature for a 19/20 year old to say the least, and I think the only thing that's holding Phil back from starting him is the fact that he's a rookie.
Smush is taking alot of unnecessary heat. He obviously deserves some stick after his lackluster effort on D and some of the other stunts he pulls in the games but if he improves his D and improves his decision making skills, he'll be a solid player. Pablo, everyone has shooting slumps. Farmar went 0-7 yesterday. As I said, if he improves his decision making, he won't take bad shots.
