http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2008/09/...at-forward-too/ Odom would make a hell of a sixth man. I like the idea of Ariza starting too. He'll give us the added defensive presence we need. If all reports are correct, his shooting has improved drastically.
Because Lamar may not be effective starting for us at small forward. We either need someone who can defend or spread the floor, and Lamar doesn't really provide us with much of that. Defensively Ariza is better, and Lamar can't be counted on to hit open shots on offense.
Yea I think that this is a great idea I think Odom will be more effective coming of the bench but he could also be Gasol's back up because the Lakers haven't signed a PF.
Because having the biggest starting lineup might not necessarily be a good thing. Odom has never been that great defensively, and he would definitely struggle against the quicker SFs in the league. With Ariza, we have another defensive stopper in the starting lineup, meaning Kobe might not have to take the best guy on a nightly basis like he currently has to. Plus, Odom on the bench gives us a legit 6th man and, in general, strengthens our bench as a whole. I think it's a pretty good idea to bring him off the bench. At worst, if Ariza plays bad or Odom doesn't respond well to coming off the bench, it's easily remedied by inserting him in the starting five. However, I think it'll work out in the long run. It gives us frontcourt depth off the bench, gives us a solid 6th man, and allows us to have another defensive stopper in the starting five. Can't say that I find anything wrong with that.
In having Odom come off the bench with the Second Unit, will that not just put him in the same place he was 2-3 years ago, i.e. won't he be viewed as the "Go To Guy" of the next 5 on the floor, which is a position that we all know he does not excel in? This may be the case, but I honestly love the idea of Ariza starting for us and think that this movement might make our second unit easily one of the best in the league, at least from a laker fans perspective: PG: Farmar SG: Vujacic SF: Walton PF: Odom C: .........and Mihm :-(
Well, with the Lakers bench, we almost always have one of our other main guys on the floor. Meaning, in all likelihood, when our second unit comes in, there's a good chance that either Pau or Kobe would still be on the floor, so it probably wouldn't happen too often where Lamar would have to be the "go to guy" when the 2nd unit is in.
Odom might be viewed as the "Go to Guy" on the second unit, but not as the primary scorer. Farmar & Sasha aren't shy about taking shots, and Radman would be in the mix as well. The 2nd unit usually plays a faster pace than the starters and I think Odom does better in the open court where he can take a defensive rebound and dribble length of court. Sasha and Radman running the wings and spotting up for 3's gives Odom space to operate in the lane or kick out to one of them when the defense collapses. It also gives the Lakers options with the 1st unit in case Gasol or Bynum get in early foul trouble. Odom can sub in for either player and slide into the PF position.
