That move makes a tremendous amount of sense. He can either play the three or the four, so you put him in where you need help. You could even slide Gasol over to C when Odom comes in. I really don't get what the big deal is about starting. It's about how many minutes you play and whether you're out there in crunch time.
Are you out of your . . . mind? You must have hit your head on something. I think this whole thing is hysterical. What makes it funny is that it happened on media day--the first day that kicks off the new season. And to start like this, with one of your players saying that junk. I can see Phil popping his migraine meds as we speak.
There's a clear culture thing about starting, going back to grade school. The best players start, the lesser players sit on the bench and back them up. Whether or not starting literally means anything in terms of importance to the team, it's a symbolic slap to be demoted from starter to "sixth man." Of course, there's always Kevin McHale, who somehow got the starter recognition and respect (even today, most fans probably don't realize he was technically not a starter most of his seasons), but that's a pretty rare case. Odom is definitely a "starting quality" player. Ideally, he wouldn't make a big deal out of it, but that's a standard I think most established veteran stars or quasi-stars would fail. Jackson's job as a coach is both to deploy his players in the best way possible and to convince his players to buy into his decisions.
Ideally, Odom would look at it objectively from a team's perspective. Having Lamar come off the bench DOES make a ton of sense. As maxiep noted, Gasol's ability to swap between the 4 and the 5 (along with Odom's ability to play some 3) gives Phil a LOT of flexibility as to when and where Odom comes into the game. But... Odom's contract is expiring. He's used to being a starter and he's had success there. I wonder if Pau would be more willing to come off the bench and sub in at either the 4 or the 5. I believe he's under contract for a longer period of time and he's younger AND has less tenure on the Lakers... those things might make him more likely to accept a non-starting role. Ed O.
I think the Lakers will end up or at least try playing Bynum/Gasol and Odom together. The Lakers SF are not that good IMO but it would make for a weaker bench. If I was Jackson I wouldn't have said anything now but work with both Odom and Gasol and see how I could make it work with one coming off the bench. I'm hoping it makes for chemistry problems.
Alright...here is my take on this little drama.... First off I think it is a good thing that Odom is somewhat angry about this. You obviously want a player that cares and isnt just gonna roll over and be happy in a possible lesser role. While I do think there is the actual possibility of Ariza starting over him its PJ mostly playing his usual mind games at this point. PJ has also said within the past couple of days that Odom would be given the chance to be the starting 3 and see how it works out. I like the idea of Ariza starting and have been thinking about it since the beginning of the off-season (yeah, Im a visionary). I really dont think these comments by Odom mean anything....for now
Denial. This whole thing does seem like Phil's Jedi mind trick into getting Odom where he wants him. I don't like communicating to players through the media, but it seems to work for Phil.
Denial in what sense? Or are you just trying to give me a hard time? Phil loves playing the media games...right or wrong its his thing, and it seems to work for the most part. Even though this idea is good for the team it also could be good for the pocketbook. Not being a starter could reduce the cost of resigning Odom if thats what the Lakers wanted to do after this season. I dont think that is the reason at all for considering this move but it could be a nice byproduct.
