Lamar Odom can beat his opposition in a plethora of ways. With his length, passing, and ball handling gives him the ability to play as a point guard. He has an uncanny knack for rebounding and his left-handed finger roll is simply amazing.
All of this is great…when it happens.
Odom has once again faded from the box scores for the Lakers.
Its to no surprise of many LA fans. But it is a bit of a nuisance.
A player with such talent but never seems to have that aggressive edge to get it done.
Consider Odom as the kid in class with the right answers, but rarely raises his hand.
The often passive-aggressive Odom ignited in the Western Conference Finals, averaging a double-double. Silencing the “lucky” statement pulled out by Amar’e Stoudemire after Lamar stole the show with 17 points and 15 rebounds.
But in the finals this year, he’s only just hit the double-digit threshold; with 12 points on 5-5 shooting. His game however, is rebounding.
A rebounding Lamar is a successful Lamar. And it translates to the Lakers’ success always.
I remember in February 2009, Bynum was once again injured and would be out for the rest of the season. With a tough road trip ahead against big names like Boston and Cleveland, many critics believed the Lakers would lose each game.
But Odom single-handedly stole the show.
Against the season’s main attraction, Cleveland, Lamar picked a part the Cavaliers front court. Picking up 17 rebounds to go along with 28 points. Seven of the rebounds were offensive.
In Boston, he played great help defense against Garnett and also went for 20 points in the game.
The Lakers played harder in both games. And won both as well.
This was Lamar at his potential.
Next: The Straw That Stirs the Drink…
Sometimes it infuriates me when he doesn’t attack the basket with passion. When you think about it, who’s really going to stop an assertive 6’10 left-handed slasher?
Not many. If any.
He can average 15 and 10 with ease. Just think, if they have to guard Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and stay home with Andrew Bynum, there is simply no way to effectively stop Lamar. His only downside in terms of ability may be his free throw shooting. the rest is all approach and mentality.
He is simply the enigma for this Lakers squad. The measuring stick of their caliber.
You can always tell how the Lakers are going to play simply by watching him. When he’s the aggressor the defending champs are the defending champs. And when he isn’t..well. They have a much tougher task than anticipated.
Even in Game 3 of these finals, where Derek Fisher lifted the Lakers to victory late in the fourth, Odom played much better on both ends of the floor.
It’s just Lamar being Lamar.
His carefree attitude is contagious. The ‘lucky’ lefty just loves to have a good time; on and off the floor. Sometimes it works in L.A’.s favor. It helps them remain even keel against the toughest opponents. But sometimes it makes them tentative on their intensity. Not fighting through screens, settling for jumpers, or the infamous ‘Kobe watching’.
Of course he’s not the full blame of this, but these traits do usually show when Odom’s not playing his hardest.
The Bottom line though is that Odom is the soul of the Lakers. When he does play at his best, he can do everything and his team’s possibilities are endless. He brings a bit of a reminiscent of Scottie Pippen. The player who will always be the underrated superstar. The only problem is that it is only Lamar himself who can determine what his legacy will be remembered of. Being the Lakers’ savior, or the Lakers’ downfall.