Last season with the Heat, did Lamar Odom show a lot of emotion on the court? When Lamar Odom was a Clipper he didn't show much emotion on the court or on the sidelines with teammates. He always seemed to be the blacksheep of the group. Now with the Lakers he doesn't seem emotionally involved with the squad. You don't see him giving high fives to teammates after a big play. I also don't see him talking to his teammates in the huddle to strategize. I've been second guessing the trade because of Odom's attitude. He's putting up double doubles, but I don't see the flare from him I expected. I'm also worried he's still angry about being traded and doesn't like being part of the Lakers rebuilding. I was curious if he was acting similar when he played for the Heat? Also what was his chemistry like with Butler?
Nah. last year with us, he showed leadership. He joked around with other players and after big plays, he was jumping, pumping, screaming and everything. You know you may be right about that trade thing. He thought he would be with us for a long time and showed that he wanted to but he got traded so..as a fan, i still feel sorry for him but those people made the move so what's done is done i guess.
Los Angeles ruined his life, Miami gave him a second chance and he was improving by leaps and bounds on and off the court. So after inking a huge contracting with Miami, leading them too a remarkable regular season turnaround, and an impressive playoff run, how was he rewarded? He was traded. Not just traded, but shipped back off to the town that he drowned his sorrows in, Los Angeles. Go Figure. Now I wonder why Lamar isn't quite the same?
This isnt very good news for us Laker fans. I hope he will see that the Lakers have the best interest in him and want to see him win that ring with the Lakers. What can teammates do make him feel better in LA?
Here's my take on it: I think he would like to be a contributer on the team besides playing a role like the Lakers have him doing. He only had 6 attempts in the Bulls game in 35 minutes. As far as other stats go, he's hitting the boards, getting steals, getting blocks, and passing the ball trying to earn dimes. He's doing things that doesn't require having to have a play ran for him. He needs to be a bigger contributor to the team. That's what he was to the Heat. He was a primary option and he felt that he needed to have a big performance every night in order to carry the team. I think that's what's lacking with him and the Lakers. Also, with Kobe averaging the most field goal attempts in the NBA, there's not a lot of attempts going around for the rest of the team. I think Odom and Kobe should be matching attempts quite honestly, with Butler Mihm, Atkins and co. sharing the rest. Or perhaps the offense should be ran through Odom like it was in Miami?
Odom was our franchise player last year, he loved this team and every member of it. He was focused every single game and played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He showed tons of emotion after every play, good and bad. He came to Miami, signed a huge longterm deal expecting to be the franchise player of the Heat for many years to come, he bought a massive house on the beach, and established himself in the community only to find out he's being traded after 1 year. Nobody expected anything like this to happen, towards the end of our season and most of the off season all the talk was about trying to sign Dampier. I don't think Odom is happy with the Lakers at all and if it were up to me he'd still be in Miami.
Accord you would've prefered to have Odom rather than one of the NBA's greatest players? I got love for Odom but the trade had to be done, it was a no brainer.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Accord:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom was our franchise player last year, he loved this team and every member of it. He was focused every single game and played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He showed tons of emotion after every play, good and bad. He came to Miami, signed a huge longterm deal expecting to be the franchise player of the Heat for many years to come, he bought a massive house on the beach, and established himself in the community only to find out he's being traded after 1 year. Nobody expected anything like this to happen, towards the end of our season and most of the off season all the talk was about trying to sign Dampier. I don't think Odom is happy with the Lakers at all and if it were up to me he'd still be in Miami.</div> The goal of every team is to win a championship. The Heat believe Shaq can bring a championship. Having Shaq as your franchis player is much better than having Lamar Odom as your franchise player. Shaq can bring a championship to Miami. If the Heat can trade Eddie Jones for someone who actually contributes well to the team, then I believe the Heat are almost bound for the finals. THe Pistons are not as good as they are last year. THe PAcers are not in good shapw becuase of Ron Artest. Now's the chance to take the East. Shaq right now will do much more for the heat than Odom will in his prime. Odom isn't really as well playing in the West. He can't bang with these big players regualrly all the time. HE is doing as much as he can for the Lakers. Lamar Odom just plainly hates the city of Los Angeles IMO.
I was not aware of the house and community involvement Lamar invested in Miami. I actually ran into him at some LA clubs when he was with the Clippers. He seemed to a very reserved and wasn't very positive about the future of the Clippers. In college I remember him being very involved with the team and getting into his teammates face when they made a bad play. After reading these posts, I'm starting to wonder if Odom should be part of the Lakers future. From the sound of it, he's done a 180 on his passion for the game and that's not in the best interest of the Lakers. As far as Odom having the offense run through him, do you think he would still have that role, or would the Heat make the change to Wade? As for the goal of everyteam to win a championship, I'll disagree completely with that statement. Owners and GM's might try to sell fans on winning championships, but their real goal is to make money. Putting a competitive young team on the court with "potential" to win a title sells the best. With the Heat invested in Shaq, they will be very successful this year and might win a title, but if they re-sign him for the money he wants, they are risking their future.
I seriously think we should've pushed Cuban's buttons a little more, actually. Odom needs to step it up, and he needs to right now. Grant's already on the shelf, like I expected, and Butler isn't doing much either. Kobe Bryant is carrying this team on his back, and has done so while achieving a record over .500, but if Kobe misses a few games, the Lakers won't win anything until he's back. Last year, Odom led the Heat into the playoffs. This year, he wouldn't be able to lead the Lakers...so what he needs to do is to proudly take his role as a second option and play as hard as he can, with enthusiasm and pride. Yes, he needs more touches, but if he would play better off the ball and get open, instead of waiting for a 20-foot jumper, he'd get the ball more often.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Accord:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom was our franchise player last year, he loved this team and every member of it. He was focused every single game and played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He showed tons of emotion after every play, good and bad. He came to Miami, signed a huge longterm deal expecting to be the franchise player of the Heat for many years to come, he bought a massive house on the beach, and established himself in the community only to find out he's being traded after 1 year. Nobody expected anything like this to happen, towards the end of our season and most of the off season all the talk was about trying to sign Dampier. I don't think Odom is happy with the Lakers at all and if it were up to me he'd still be in Miami.</div> I agree, I remember the talks of signing a center, and then Caron Butler should re-emerge by this season. So we'd reduce Eddie Jones' role, Odom and Wade would be the go to guys, and Caron the third guy, kinda like Jamison and Arenas with Hughes as the 3rd man, and then with a center the team would be top in the East for a while with the youth and talent on the team.
When Mark Cuban was asked about the deal, he said that the Lakers told him that "he didn't have anything they wanted". In the interview, he brought up a possible trade idea that would include doing a sign and trade deal with Steve Nash and possibly include Dirk Nowitzki. But in the end: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MARK CUBAN: I think Mitch did the best that he could. I think his hands were really tied. Once you're in a scenario where a player is demanding a trade and the organization is kind of confirmed that they have to trade, the other teams know that you've kind of got the upper hand. You add to that that Mitch is smart enough not to want to trade him to a Western Conference team the Lakers are a smart organization, Jerry Buss, they are smart guys.</div>
I read many articles where Cuban turned down the Lakers for a trade involving Nowitzki. He considered a sign-and-trade with Nash and possibly Finley, but he said that Nowitzki stays in Dallas. Otherwise, I can almost guarantee that the Lakers would do that trade (Nash & Nowitzki for Shaq). It would've been a ripoff, actually.
Odom's Personality I have not been watching Lakers games since I'm at Miami, so I can't comment on his play this season. As far as Lamar's emotional side, he was definitely hurt the moment the Heat traded him. You could tell from the first interview he did as a Laker. In the short one year run with Miami, Lamar grew to love the Heat and the city of Miami. Equally as important to Lamar was his relaitionship with <font color="Red">Pat Riley</font> who essentially had more faith in Lamar than anyone in the NBA. I, along with the majority of critics, thought the Odom move to Miami was a bit risky. Remember Odom was known as an immature kid with <font color="Red">"character issues"</font> according to Clippers GM Elgin Baylor. Pat Riley took a chance on him and Lamar greatly appreciated it. I recall reading an article where Riley mentions that he would write encouraging notes to Odom to keep him mentally focus. As Lamar excelled into one of the better players in the league, the city of Miami in turn showed him the love he never received in L.A. Lamar felt as if he was finally in the "right place at the right time." He had a great relaitionship with his teammates and his coaches, and probably would have wanted to retire as a member of the Miami Heat. The memorable run of the Heat into the 2nd round of the playoffs (his 1st playoff appearance) gave him some assurance that was one of the leaders of the team. But when Shaq became available Lamar was the only real trade bait the Heat were willing to give up. Riley basically said "anyone but Wade." Going back to L.A. of all places must be difficult for Lamar because he feels like even through all he advanced in his life (in all aspects) in Miami, he's back at the place where his troubles began. Of course, Lamar takes with him all he learned and grew at Miami, but if he's not "the same" I hope my take gives you a better idea why. * As far as Caron is concerned, he probably had an even stronger relaitionship with Riley than Lamar. Riley drafted Caron with the 10th pick and he was essentially what Dwyane Wade is for us now, "the future." Caron came from UConn where he was a Star. (Interesting note: Caron was also considered to have "character issues", and that's the reason he fell down to the 10th spot, but Riley again knows talent when he sees it) Caron had a solid rookie season, averaging 22 ppg in the last month of the season, when Eddie Jones was injured and Caron was the No.1 option. Caron led all rookies in points, steals, and minutes. Naturally, Caron figured he would keep improving into an NBA superstar. Caron injured his knee, requiring surgery, during training camp in his 2nd season and honestly he's <font color="Red">NEVER</font> been the same since. Once Caron's knee was good from the surgery, GUESS WHAT? He was no longer the star of the team. Dwyane Wade was the new hot shot rookie, and Lamar was the Leader of the team. Don't get me wrong these guys had a great relaitionship as teammates. BUT Caron's role on the team was just that a "role player." I still have faith that Caron will be able to regain his confidence and be the superstar we thought he could be while at Miami. <font color="Red">I know the post is a bit long, but I have followed the past couple Heat seasons very closely. Hope it gives you guys a better perspective on the issue.</font>
