Lamar fits Miami's style of play and is a guy who can do it all on both ends of the court, very good passer and has now become into a very good rebounder. If you trade each other I don't think the Heat would be as strong as they are now as quite simply Brand hasn't proved he can lead a team yet. Every player needs supporting guys around him but Elton just hasn't won enough games for people to give him the label of a leader. Lets not forget Brand and Odom played togeather for many years in L.A, Lamar had alot of injury problems but the times they were heathly they made a run at the playoffs a few seasons ago and there was no doubt that Odom was the best player on that team or should I say the most important. He did alot more for that team than Brand did, being a triple threat player that can run the floor will open up alot for the players around you, mainly your guards. Which is what Odom did that year. Even though Miami do need an inside presents, Lamar Odom though It doesn't seem as If he is better due to his scoring and rebounding not being as impressive, don't be fooled by that. You only have to watch him play to see how much more he means to his team.
Odom on the Clippers was just bad for him, he was injured so much and they had their best year 39-43 in 2001-2002, when he was injured and played his least game 29 games. He only averaged 13.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, but he had 5.9 assists. If they switched, it would be worse for both teams, Miami is a running team and the Clippers have become so used to Brand and LA isn't a good place for Odom lol.
I'd have to say I'd take Lamar Odom, I have a lot of respect for him, he was able to fix himself up after all those problems and partially meet all that was expected of him. We all knew however that Elton Brand was going to be good, him on the otherhand we probably had doubts whilst he was on drugs in the Clippers. He has a lot of heart and skill, the only thing he does seem to have is weight and strength, he makes up for it in his offensive, defensive capabilities and his awesome versatility of which his rebounding reigns supreme over.
Lamar is more versitle.......Brand is better with his back to the basket....but i think Lamar fits in better with the Heat
Definitely Odom, he has more room for potential if you ask me. Along with his versatility comes something Brand lacks, a great set of moves, Brand's game is so much simpler and fundamental in comparison. He wouldn't really fit in as well as Odom has, a bit of bulking up, improvement on the jumpshot and they'll be on par with one another. If one were to have either or both, you wouldn't or couldn't really go wrong with them in those positions.
Wang Zhi Zhi > Lamar Odom Go Wang! You are a 7 footer who can hit the 3 and take it inside, and one game you came off the bench and outscored Jason Kidd!
There was no way the heat could have signed brand they offered brand 86 million and brand signed the offer sheet but the clippers were prepared to offer him 115 million so they got him at bargen price. It was really just a ploy to get there real wanted free agent to miami which was lamar. Questions like could've, would've, and should've, we really wont ever know unless it happens. Lamar had a great relationship with pat riley who even though he stepped down as coach remained GM and close to lamar. Lamar fit in great with what the team was tring to do witht he chemistry and all of that. Would Brand have been able to do that I dont know. The heat had a great season with odam so I would say that they are better off with the player they got which is odam.
I'd have to stick with Odom too. No disrespect to Brand who would have held it down as well but Odom just fit better with Miami's style. If Riley was still coaching the Heat with his slower paced style, then Brand all the way but he just wouldn't have fit with the run and gun it approach. Odom gave us that versatiltiy because he creates difficult matchups for the opposing team because he could move all around the court whether he's throwing up a hook shot in the paint or setting up a perimeter shot. He was very long which intimidated a lot of defenders. He really helped our offense. Odom all the way.
