Lamar Cool Coming off the Pine?

by Steve Weinman on Oct 27, 2008 2:35 AM EDT in NBA Articles

That's the word coming from contract-year man Lamar Odom this week. That he's just fine doing whatever it takes to help his team.

As reported by Elliott Teaford of the LA Daily News:

EL SEGUNDO - Whether he has grown accustomed to his new role or whether he is simply resigned to coming off the Lakers' bench as their sixth man doesn't really matter all that much anymore. Lamar Odom stressed that he has decided to sacrifice individual glory for the good of the team this season.

"Really comfortable," he said of his new gig. "Whatever the team needs me to do, that's what I'm going to do. To be successful and play for championships, that doesn't come around too often, you know what I'm saying? Whatever it takes.

"You know, I'm a humble dude. I put my ego aside."

Sounds like a good attitude, although it's worth noting that Odom is big on the humility theme, to an extent that seems somewhat self-defeating.

The 6-foot-10 forward also had this to say to Teaford:

"The beautiful thing about my game is that I can fill any role," Odom said. "Not too many players can do that. Not too many players have the humility to come off the bench without a problem after they've started their whole careers."

And modest, too. The humility in the room must have been stifling.

All that said, it's interesting to see Phil Jackson going this route rather than setting up the biggest front line in the game with Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Odom will be able to help spell each big man and provide versatility at the top three spots as well, especially if Jackson plans to use him as a point forward from time to time as well.

Given his nature as a bastion of inconsistency, we're guessing Odom will see plenty of role fluctuation in the season to come.

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Lakers need to continue experimenting with Lamar Odom at small forward. They need better defense, and a physically more capable player, at the three spot in order to beat the Celtics/Cavs in the Finals and possibly Houston out West. They can experiment with Lamar at SF while he’s coming off the bench, they just need to try it for shortened spells and especially against teams with elite small forwards, and physical small forwards.

It’s imperative that they continue experimenting, they cannot rule this option prematurely, it could be the difference between winning a Championship and not.

I wonder if they’re regretting not acquiring Ron Artest? I would be if I were them.

by Who on Oct 27, 2008 2:45 AM EDT reply actions

Odom sacrificed individual glory years ago. However, I will give him props for maturing into a steady, if perhaps underachieving, player. Back when he came into the league I remember wondering how long until he implodes. Today, I do expect he’s comfortable trying to competently fill whatever role he is asked to play. He’s a matchup nightmare and that will have even more impact on the second unit. The money doesn’t change either, and Odom knows that there are more important things in life than starting.

by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 27, 2008 10:26 PM EDT reply actions