Do the math, that's not $9 million per. Miami can only offer the MLE with max raises, which is what they are supposedly offering.
Damn it! I thought for sure Odom would be back, but maybe not. This is dragging out longer than I thought. According to some reports, the Lakers offered 4/$36. But with no income tax in Florida this offer is worth about the same, but a year longer. Interesting, it equals, but is less per year. I wonder what Odom goes for. My head says he'll go with the Heat, my gut says Lakers.
I would definitely be happy if the Fakers traded out Odom and Ariza, and replaced them with Artest. Puts a lot of pressure on Bynum to now produce.
I think more so pressure to stay healthy than produce. We've seen what Bynum can do when the team has confidence in him and he has confidence in himself.
If the Lakers lose Odom, they've taken a step back. Artest replaced Ariza, essentially, even if one is much more famous than the other.
Artest also somewhat replaces Odom's ability to create shots for himself or others, however. Ariza couldn't do that. I think Odom is a better playmaker, but Artest does kind of combine the two of their skill sets into one. The issue now would be depth, primarily, if Odom were to leave. But they'll fill out the roster just fine, I'm guessing. Still, it would be a nice blow to them.
Poorly, though. When he creates, he's hurting a team that has efficient play-makers like Kobe and Gasol. Odom is significantly more efficient and a superior passer. As far as overall ability (not styles of play), Artest replaces Ariza. Odom is better than both. Artest thinks he's a primary creator, when he doesn't have that ability. Ariza also doesn't have that ability, but he knows it and doesn't waste possessions. I actually think Ariza was a better fit for LA than Artest, but even assuming Artest plays precisely the way LA wants him to, he's only a lateral move from Ariza, IMO. That makes Odom an unmitigated loss. LA is still the best team in the West even without Odom, but they come back closer to the pack.
Oh yes most definitely. Bynum has been a non-factor the last two playoffs, having Lamar step in at PF and shifting Pau to center didn't hurt a bit. They won a freaking title with nothing from Bynum. But now if Bynum is out the Lakers are going to have some serious big man deficiencies. It'll be Pau and Mbenga??? With Lamar the Lakers could have contended with an injury to anyone outside of Kobe. But without him, not so much.
The Lakers have great potential to improve. Bynum didn't do much in the playoffs neither did our PG position and we had a weak bench. Don't know there's still much to be decided.
