<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LA Times Blog: Next on the exit press conference list, Lamar Odom. Dickens had A Tale of Two Cities, L.O. had A Tale of Two Seasons- the first and second halves. His splits show increased scoring and assists after the All Star Break, but there is no stat to measure the increased confidence and assertiveness he showed on the court. Here's what L.O. had to say on his way out, with a very busy summer in front of him. BK On his meeting with PJ- "It was cool. Just talked about some of the things I've got coming up this summer, as far as auditioning to go play in the World Games, what I plan to do to keep in shape. Talked about the season I had, my position, where I like to play, where I'm most comfortable at- a question you (the media) often ask me." You guys are still talking about that? "This is the time to talk about it. I'm most comfortable playing towards my mismatches. Big guy on me, take him outside. Small guy on me, take him inside. In the triangle, I was comfortable in learning how to control the tempo from that position, playing the guard spot. So next year I figure most likely it'll be the same role. Now that I know the offense, of course I feel a lot more comfortable in it. I guess I'm just looking forward to staying in shape this summer, coming back here, and getting back at it again. It was an emotional ride, especially towards the end of the season for us, as far as fighting for a playoff position, making it to the playoffs, being up three on Kobe's shot, and now we're on the outside looking in. Phoenix played great ball to come back from 3-1. I take my hat off to them because they beat us." * *L.O., a sensitive guy as it is, was clearly still taking the playoff loss hard... which is a good thing. You wouldn't want guys to blow it off. On satisfaction they can take from what they did accomplish this season- "When we look back at it, we look back at the beginning of last year, and of course not picked to make the playoffs, not playing in the postseason. So to be able to fight and coming together late in the year and taking the 7th spot, (and) be six seconds away from advancing. We had a great year, but you know, of course it hurts." On finding stability this summer- "I hope so. I understand the business of basketball. But I hope and I pray that this is my home, and this is where I'll end my career. It's a great franchise, and they have great people here. This has got to be one of the coolest places to play basketball. You have Denzel Washington at the games, Jack's at the games, (Lakers P.R. chief) John Black's at the games, Brad Turner (of the Press Enterprise) is at the games (at this point, L.O. is having a little fun...). This is a good place to play basketball. Last year we didn't make the playoffs and this year, we were playing in the first round. Playing in Staples Center was amazing and the energy that was in that building was incredible. You know, I'd love to see that for the rest of my career." So would you classify this as a successful season? "Of course right now I've got mixed emotions from a competitive standpoint. I wish I could keep playing. I went from watching every playoff game while we were playing, to (now) I don't even want to watch TV, I don't want to watch Sportscenter right now. It hurts a little bit to watch these other teams keep playing, but a couple of weeks I guess I'll get over it and be able to watch the Western Conference Finals. This second round is most likely definitely skipped." On what he'd like to improve on over the summer- "Oh, man, there are a lot of things. Coming back as a better basketball player just in general. When it comes to free throw shooting, stand still shooting, going left, going right, add a hook shot, turnaround jumpers, to become stronger, become quicker. Just to better my all-around game. On free throws, I think about the good six games I had in the series I shot horrible from the free throw line. Just those four or five points could have been difference makers, especially in that Game Six." On what the team needs to improve- "Time together. Maturity. Time together as far as playing in this system. We were the youngest team in the league by age. Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Andrew Bynum. Of course we need everyone to take their games to another level, and myself of course. This year was big also for Smush. This was really his rookie year as far as the NBA is concerned, starting 82 games. Just player development, really, on the court. Time together. Chris Mihm was playing great basketball, it was unfortunate for him and for us that he hurt his ankle. If we can get Chris Mihm and Kwame Brown to play the way they were playing at the end of the year together, with Andrew Bynum and his development working with Kareem- inside our triangle, Luke played great- if we can get those guys to play like they were playing towards the end of the year, throw Andrew in there to protect that basket for us, we'll become a much better defensive team. We'll be able to pressure up a lot more, and get those guys to protect our basket at all times like they did towards the end of the year this team will be tough." On his game taking off after the trade deadline- "I just think that was the system, and getting comfortable with the system. It just happened to be towards the end of the year. (If the deadline) was from November to December, I don't think my game would have picked up right at the end of December or January. I think it was just the time. It was towards the end of the year, I was feeling a lot more comfortable in the offense. Like I told you, I understand the business. You can be here one day and be traded the next. I don't really think it was me being comfortable with I wasn't being traded. I just think it was the time it took to really understand the offense. To understand how to manipulate the offense. For me to be able to catch the ball in the post, staying aggressive in the offense, and really learning it inside out. And once that happened, I just felt a lot more comfortable offensively as far as shooting the ball, where I'm shooting from, finding my sweet spots on the court. And it just so too that I hit a rhythm, too. It felt like every three was going to go in, I just felt really comfortable. Shot the ball better from the free throw line." On the Lakers encouraging him to become an All Star player- "They don't really have to say that to me. I kind of know it's expected because what I bring to any team I've been on, I feel like I have that potential. It's going to take some balance as far as learning the system, which I felt like I've learned, and hopefully I can put it together- hopefully offensively I hope I can put together, the spurt that I had at the end of the season I hope I can bring that type of offensive balance to my game so my name can be out there as far as being an All Star. I was only I think two or three baskets away from making that team, so hopefully I can average 20 points and 9 rebounds and 6 assists so I can be talked about in that light, as far as being one of the best players in the league. At least for a year. That's what the All Star team makes you, one of the best players in the league for that year. So I feel like I got that potential inside me, that I should be an All Star, become an All Star." Kobe said the way you ended the season established you as one of the best players in the game- "As far as showing everybody, right? For six games or whatever, I averaged 20 points. 20 points is usually what it takes (for) you to be considered a good player in this league. 20 points, and got some rebounds, five or six assists. I felt like I was. In that series, I definitely felt like I was one of the best players in the game. I think I have that in me. I think I can still get to that level of play where people acknowledge me as being one of the best players in the NBA. Top 25, top 20 players in the league. There are a lot of talented players out there, but I feel like what I bring to the table could definitely get that acknowledgment. And coming from a player like Kobe, of course that's a compliment. He's a tough critic." Did Phil talk about you finishing with your right hand? "Yeah, he was upstairs and he had a couple of right handed jokes. But I guess I'm a creature of habit. But that's definitely part of my game that I'm going to work on a lot this year. Being a great standstill shooter. I haven't mastered that part of the game yet. Being more consistent from the free throw line. I think I have a good enough touch and range on my jumper where I should be shooting in the high seventies to low eighties rather than low seventies, high sixties. I know I'm better than that. And that will definitely help my average, my points per game, things like that, being more consistent, I think I can hurt teams a lot. I think I can get to the free throw line a lot." On this summer and USA Basketball, what he hopes to get out of it- "I hope we can win. The relationships that you make with coaches that never coached you before, players you never have been around. And I feel like I have some making up to do because I was on a team of course that lost. Well, we won a bronze medal, but I guess to USA Basketball, to our standards, to the guys that were on the court, we felt like we lost. So to go back over there to the World Championships and win and kind of reclaim our spot as having the best basketball in the world. To let people know, again, that I'm one of the best young players- I don't know if they'll consider me young in the NBA next season at 27- but to consider myself as one of the best players in the NBA. Last time I went I had a great time. Even in games we lost I felt like I played hard, and I was able to make a name for myself. So I guess to go over there and do that again. And to be on the court with Dwayne Wade and LeBron, and Elton Brand will be on that team. Hopefully I can get a spot. </div> Now I got a feeling we shouldn't trade him. Finally he understands what he needs to do in the Triangle Offense and most importantly he appreaciates being being a Lakers. I feel like if we didn't get KGx2, it's not a big lost, we still have LOx1 and Kobe. Look forward for LO to come back with a purpose; being one of the best player in the league; the goal to become an All-Star.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Oh, man, there are a lot of things. Coming back as a better basketball player just in general. When it comes to free throw shooting, stand still shooting, going left, going right, add a hook shot, turnaround jumpers, to become stronger, become quicker. Just to better my all-around game. On free throws, I think about the good six games I had in the series I shot horrible from the free throw line. Just those four or five points could have been difference makers, especially in that Game Six." </div> we shouldn't consider trading Odom no matter what. It takes time to build a championship team, he is just on the brink of really getting comfortable here, starting over would be a horrible idea.
I wouldn't trade Odom what so ever. If we could get KG+Odom+Kobe in the Laker Uniform it would be the greatest team. We should trade Bynum+Kwame+Mihm+Round Picks to meet the salaries for KG. That would be awesome.
I'm still praying we get to keep Odom and aquire Garnett. We should have a mass praying session to make this dream come true. Odom + Garnett + Bryant = 10 championships. I would love to keep him, and I'm still not sure if we should trade him plus others for Garnett. He is extremely young and he is unique. I have never seen a player of 6'10 move around like him. He could probably play all five positions on the court, it's crazy. I think he peaked towards the end of the season and I'm not going to blame him for the finals loss because he showed up in 6 out of the 7 games.
Odom is an awesome player and he sounds very sincere about getting better for next season. I really love the guy playing in LA. The only problem is, when you get an opportunity to aquire a former league MVP and a proven triple threat, you better sign him. If K.G. falls into our laps and the deal involves Odom, I would jump the gun and go for it. Kobe is primed up and so is Garnett. That duo will make some serious noise the next 5-6 years in Lakerland. No questions asked.
Odom's number looks decent but I always can't help but think that he could do much better. I mean this guy's got size and touch but I don't know, I still don't think he has reached his max potential yet..
the problem with odom is his consistency, as all we laker fans know. at times the guy can be a monster, and at times he just seems to be nonexistent. the key to odoms success is his aggressiveness. he must attach the basket and score down low with that nice baby hook of his. we all saw what happens when he decides to stray away from attacking and starts relying on his jump shot (game 7). anyways, the guy has tons of potential, and has all it takes to be an all star. he can score, rebound, dribble, pass, and his almost 7 feet. all he has to do is keep it together and be more consistent. i expect big things out of lamar if he is still here next season
There is no way in hell. And I mean no way in hell, we can get KG without trading Odom. I dont think the Lakers need KG. If opportunity presents itself which I think it will this summer, the Lakers should jump to that deal. I can't wait to see how the off-season turns out. But I feel as if Odom should end his carreer here too.
Lamar has the skills of a starter but he has the mind of a bench player. WHEN is Phil going to wake up and have him be the "secret weapon" off the bench? That way he can concentrate on getting more "rhythm" players in the starting 5 such as Brian Cook.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting phunDamentalz:</div><div class="quote_post">Lamar has the skills of a starter but he has the mind of a bench player. WHEN is Phil going to wake up and have him be the "secret weapon" off the bench? That way he can concentrate on getting more "rhythm" players in the starting 5 such as Brian Cook.</div> wait, let me get this straight. you want lamar odom to be our sixth man? all i have to say is this, if that happened, we will be one of the lowest seeds in the west.
I think Lamar needs to stay, and play another year under Phil Jackson. BUT if the possibilty to trade for KG came up and the Wolves or a thrid team wanted Lamar, I'd have to give him up.
