Post your feelings on Odom possibly bolting for the Heat. Don't bash other people's feelings, if you do, I'll delete the post.
After his performance in the playoffs, I wanted to keep him. I wanted the Lakers to give him the contract he wanted as long as it was reasonable. He said he'd take a major pay cut to stay here, he said he wanted to be here, but now all signs point to him bolting to Miami. Why do I think he might leave? I think he wants to be a starter. I think he wants the years. I wish he would've informed the Lakers of his real intentions, because we could have thrown more money at Trevor. Ariza would've been fine coming off the bench behind Artest. Losing Ariza made it seem like Odom was a lock to come back. Now, that probably won't happen. I also think he wants a guaranteed starting spot. I don't think he wants to be a bench player another year.
I definitely want him back. He's everyone's favorite teammate and I think, like Luke Walton, he does many things that aren't necessarily reflected on the stat box. Without him, our bench will also suck.
I don't really care. I question if he'd even play well if we give him long term commitment. My issue with LO leaving has never really been about losing him, but replacing him. With only the vet's min at our disposal, we're basically looking at scrubs for his replacement. So it's up to Mitch to work the phones. We have expiring contracts and young talent, so I guess it's time for him to work his magic again. If Drew could stay healthy for once, this may not even be an issue. When Drew was playing well early on in the season, LO's minutes were limited, and his production was pretty putrid. I suspect this will be the case next year as well. I only like LO as an insurance policy, but because Drew has never shown us he can stay healthy, or play at a high level for an entire season + postseason, I guess it's needed. I still want him back, but at a reasonable price. Either way, if he leaves, I hope he does it soon. I'm sick and tired of waiting. Time for Plan B.
My gut says he'll be back. My head says he'll go to Miami. They've shown the willingness to commit to 5 years.
He is important to this team. I want him back, and I think Lakers are kind of low-balling him. For the life of me, I cant understand why someone would want to leave SoCal and forgo the best chance for another title only to play for less money elsewhere.
I don't think we're low-balling him. He said he'd take a price cut, now do it. Be a man of your word. And Miami is pretty nice, but it isn't LA.
When they interviewed him about his free agency a while back, he said it would take BIG money to lure him away from LA. So now he's leaving for the MLE. After all the shit he's put us through, each and every year. Every single trade deadline when fans were calling for his head, the management stuck with him and remained loyal. Now he's gonna bolt for the MLE. Staples Center should boo the hell out of him when he returns. Guaranteed he will fuck up that game because he's a mental midget, and his feelings will be hurt.
I don't really care... btw, he did take a pay cut, he was making 14.1 mil. I would say 4 or 5 million is a HUGE paycut. The Lakers don't want to commit long term, understandable. Lamar wants a good long term contract, and he seems to be on the long term side more. Miami said 5 years for sure, we said 4 at most. I still think he will be back. But, if he isnt, lets sign and trade with Miami. We won't get Beasley, but Haslem, Chalmers and others would be good.
I wonder if he is bolting. Miami offered the contract, if he wanted to leave, I think he woud've bolted by now and accepted it right away. I think he'll hold out for a day or two, hoping he gets a phone call from Mitch.
Seems like he's leaving to me. Riley and Wade have been talking to him, trying to recruit him, etc. Seems like he has no problem playing in Miami for the MLE. I'm sure he wants to be back, which is why he's probably gonna give Jerry/Mitch a chance to bump up their offer. But the 3/27 or 4/36 that was supposedly offered, is the highest they're going to go IMO. If he didn't sign it before, I don't see him signing it now. Honestly I'm sick of this. Hopefully he makes a decision today so we can all move on.
He made $11.7 million last year. It was in the PE newspaper out here. The reason why it was reported that it was $14 mill or w/e was because of the trade kicker in his contract. It affected the 1st year of his salary with the Lakers, I believe. But yeah, he only made over $11 million last year.
^Ah, wtf, gay ESPN. I don't care anymore. Odom should make his decision... Miami, where he can suck Wade's dick for five years and get to the ECF at best. LA, where he can suck Ron's dick and win another Championship at least.
Odom and Artest together on the same team doesn't seem like a good combination to me. In the end, I think LA will lose Ariza + Odom for Artest. If that's what it turns out to be, big downgrade in my opinion. Artest on a multi-year deal is totally unpredictable, and I thought Odom was the most under-appreciated Laker on your team last season.
I'd take Artest easily over Trevor, Ariza's career has been unpredictable in other fashions. I think Odom's +/- rating is pretty inaccurate, same goes for Roland rating and such. He's good because he plays scrubs and always had Pau or Bynum next to him.
Who underappreciated Odom? I think he got a lot of love, especially when he started to turn it up. And yeah, I don't know how Lamar and Artest are as friends. The media is trying to paint them as friends, but they don't seem like they'd get along. Artest is aggressive, out going while Lamar is chill and laid back. They seem to have clashing personalities. Plus, since signing Artest, Odom has been virtually silent about it.
I also fail to believe it is a major downgrade. A little, maybe, but not a major. It is an upgrade, IMO, if Drew steps up and stays healthy. This should be fun, a statistical battle between Durvasa and HK. Durvasa is the stat king, HK. Good luck. I'm going to get some extra strength tylenol for the headache I'm about to get.
I don't really think it is a debate as a first/second option you can see his effectiveness go down a bit. He didn't do anything last year until Pau played next to him, he needs pressure off him.
