Lamar Odom Still in the Crossroads
Lamar Odom is hanging in the balance as far as where he will be playing in the coming NBA season. Aging and all, the Los Angeles Lakers have been known to offer shorter and cheap shot contracts to veterans who are nearing the twilight of their career. This best explains why Lamar Odom’s contract negotiations were stalled and apparently he is now looking for more options, possibly another team. To date, there are a number of teams interested in enlisting him including his former team, the Miami Heat.
Kobe Bryant said that he is confident that Odom will stay with the Lakers. But does Kobe hold the key towards paying Odom’s salary? Obviously not! Rather than yap about it, maybe Kobe should stick to his own business. Maybe he is scared that without Lamar, he may have a hard time this year which may be surprising considering they just got hold of Ron Artest.
Speaking of Ron Artest, the puzzle continues. Could it be that he was taken in just in case Lamar Odom would not be re-signed? Based on his performance, it is obvious that Odom didn’t show much as far as his potential is concerned. He was always in the shadow of Kobe Bryant and now Pau Gasol (remember he now comes off the bench!)
Dwayne Wade has made it known that they want Odom. Though they have not talked, it is obvious that Odom could be a great add to the Heat lineup. Should he be there, the slot he vacated will surely be his. And certainly, he can expect to be paid in the right amount that is due for a player his caliber. So in summary, it may be a choice between money and a championship. Those are the options Odom has on his mind right now.
During the last NBA Finals, the talks were Lamar Odom or Trevor Ariza (now with the Houston Rockets) would be retained. But from the looks of it, both players may yet be donning other jerseys before the 2010 NBA season opens. If Lamar departs, the frontline of the Lakers will be depleted since they will no longer have reliable substitutes for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. There will be Ron Artest who may as well start. However we all know that it takes more than 5 guys to win and be a success.
The rest of the lineup, unless changes still occur which is unlikely, are made up of 3rd rate players and guards in the 1 and 2 position. Kobe may be forced to move up to 3 if that happens. Whichever way you look at it, there is a gaping hole in the rotation. But leave it to Phil Jackson, he comes up with surprises when manpower crisis starts to take place.
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