Hollinger: LO back to LA

[2Cleva]

johnhollinger A league source just told me Odom is going back to the Lakers.

http://twitter.com/johnhollinger

[Muser]

Thank god that's over.

[Indazone]

hoping this is just hot air and he goes to Miami.

[Shank]

4 years, 33 million if team picks up final year

[ginobili's bald spot]

I hope this is true but I don't think hollinger has much credibility breaking stories.

[Gino]

Called that one.

[anonoftheinternets]

lol odom tail between legs ...

[rayray2k8]

By J.A. Adande and Marc Stein
ESPN.com

Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to an NBA source.

Odom will sign a four-year contract, with the fourth year at the Lakers' option.

One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final year of the contract.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak declined comment. Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, did not return a message immediately.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4367213

[Kobe™]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4367213

ITS OFFICAL!

[ginobili's bald spot]

YES! Finally.




:lobt2:

[rayray2k8]

oh wow, i actually beat the great duncan228??? :wow

but thank god this shit is over, if it is true.
Lakers stay the favorite as it should be. Gotta knock out the champs to be considered the best.

[Gino]

Well. Sorry Spurs and Mavs fans. Your chance at another title in the Duncan/Dirk eras just officially slammed shut.

[rjv]

he got his money in the end and that 4th year. and the heat got used.

[jb4g]

excellent, no excuses now. Spurs/Lakers...WCF...may the best team win.

[DAF86]

Well. Sorry Spurs and Mavs fans. Your chance at another title in the Duncan/Dirk eras just officially slammed shut.

Not so fast, they Lakers are the top contenders but they aren't unbeatable.

[lefty]

Good news

I prefer to destroy the Lakers with Odom on the team; at least Laker trolls won't have any excuse

[ginobili's bald spot]

Good news


:lol Riiiight.

[iggypop123]

cool now ginobli and bynum need to rehab and its set

[Gino]

We'll see. Artest for Ariza might not be as great a swap as I expected. I have a friend that follows the Rockets really close and he told me that he was glad they made that basic trade.

I still think Artest is better than Ariza, but news is trickling that Artest is not as smart as I thought he was.

Artest...Ariza....it doesnt matter.

Its the front court of Gasol and Odom combined with Kobe that is the killer.

So let me get this straight:

LA is paying 8 million for Odom.

Dallas is paying 8 million for Kidd. Dallas is also paying 8 million for Marion.

I'd say LA played that well.

[KSeal]

Buss knew what he was doing all along pulling that offer. He ended up getting a great deal. 4/33 with a team option for the fourth year.

Can you say fourpeat?

[lefty]

:lol Riiiight.
Insecure much :lol

[sonic21]

78-4

[ffadicted]

After all this baby bitching about 10mil/5 years, Odom signs for 4 years, 33mil with the last year being a team option?

What the fuck man.

[sonic21]

So Odom ends up signing for less than the initial offer...

nice Buss

[anonoftheinternets]

hmm makes LA favs .. but I like SA's chances... and im sure ORL, BOS, and CAVs fancy their chances as well.

[anonoftheinternets]

... aaaaand odom dribbles all over his feet ... im sure this burned the bridge a bit with miami ... and ended up with less from buss .... smart man that odom ...

[fo'shizzle]

Fuck that! It's obvious from the start that the Heat talk is just a negotiation strategy for Lamar Odor!

[Gino]

Spurs fans are kidding themselves. The season, as far as every western conference team is concerned, is over.

[sonic21]

What an attention whore though, all this drama for a result we all knew would happen

[SonOfAGun]

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7193/coolstorybrosheep.png

[bostonguy]

Fuck yeah! My Laker Buddy leaves town Sunday and he owes me a night at the bars with everything under his tab. Thank you Odom for getting me free alcohol!

[DAF86]

So let me get this straight. Odom ended up signing for 3 years 24 mil guaranteed?

[anonoftheinternets]

Spurs fans are kidding themselves. The season, as far as every western conference team is concerned, is over.

whatever u say lakerfan ....

[KSeal]

Spurs fans are kidding themselves. The season, as far as every western conference team is concerned, is over.

Lakers vs. Celtics finals rematch, lets do this! :toast

[ginobili's bald spot]

Buss owned the shit out of Odom in these negotiations. Props to the Dr.

[KSeal]

So let me get this straight. Odom ended up signing for 3 years 24 mil guaranteed?

No. I'm pretty sure there is a three million buyout on the fourth year. So if the Lakers don't pick up the option it's three years 27 ish million.

[Cry Havoc]

Congrats Lakers.

[Kobe™]

http://www.terezowens.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/wade-hurt.jpg

[bostonguy]

I knew Odom would resign in the long run. He was just toying with Miami because this was probably the last time he will get to have that opportunity to get this much attention.

:lmao@Miami

[anonoftheinternets]

Buss owned the shit out of Odom in these negotiations. Props to the Dr.

^ this ...
but then again considering its odom ... i dont know if thats as big of an accomplishment ...

T83wyYFI2gQ

[iggypop123]

i gotta say it again dr buss knows what he is doing

[DAF86]

No. I'm pretty sure there is a three million buyout on the fourth year. So if the Lakers don't pick up the option it's three years 27 ish million.

Wasn't that the initial offer? the one that Buss supposedly took off the table?

[EricB]

Yeah Adande just confirmed Odom going back.


According to my buddy that works in Miami the Heat are "pissed"

Supposedly he verbally commited to them two days ago and then the next morning balked.

Dudes a headcase.

[KSeal]

Wasn't that the initial offer? the one that Buss supposedly took off the table?

Pretty close. I think the original offer was 4/36 million with a team option for the fourth year and a 3 million dollar buyout. So Lamar ended up losing a few million in the end.

[024]

finally. lakers came to their senses.

[Gino]

whatever u say lakerfan ....

Im not a Lakers fan. I fucking pissed they lucked out yet again.

The one year nobody is spending money on free agents is the year Lamar's contract is up.

He's easily a 10 million + player.

[Kobe™]

No^


:lol

[Gino]

Yeah Adande just confirmed Odom going back.


According to my buddy that works in Miami the Heat are "pissed"

Supposedly he verbally commited to them two days ago and then the next morning balked.

Dudes a headcase.

Doubtful.

[KSeal]

Shelly Smith of ESPN was on the local radio out here and she said that Portland came into it late and offered a 5/40 million dollar deal. Is that even possible?????

[DrHouse]

*cue Spur fan telling us all how Odom sucks, is mediocre, and inconsistent now that he's a Laker again*

[Gino]

Too many laker fans dont even appreciate him.

[Morg1411]

*cue Spur fan telling us all how Odom sucks, is mediocre, and inconsistent now that he's a Laker again*

lol

When it looked like he was leaving, it was Lakaluva and his faggot friends talking about how "Odumb" wasn't needed and how much he really sucked. So shut the fuck up.

I'm glad Odom finally made a decision. Now everyone can stop obsessing over his bullshit and wait for some interesting news.

[024]

Buss owned the shit out of Odom in these negotiations. Props to the Dr.
according to ESPN, odom still gets 3 yr, 27 million guaranteed with 25 million the first 3 years and 2 million buyout on the fourth.

[Gino]

This still puts the lakers over 80 million dollars in salary. Plus Phil jackson is getting paid a lot to. LA's future will be limited. But this offseason it seems like the contenders are all in.

There are only two contenders:

1) Lakers
2) Boston (and they would need a little luck considering their collectie ages).

[Cry Havoc]

Headline on ESPN now.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Im not a Lakers fan. I fucking pissed they lucked out yet again.

The one year nobody is spending money on free agents is the year Lamar's contract is up.

He's easily a 10 million + player.

I guess you're still posting here :lol

[Gino]

I guess you're still posting here :lol

WTF? Why wouldn't I be?

[DAF86]

Gino seriously dude, don't be so negative. The Lakers are the favorite but they are not even close to beign unbeatable, remember that even though we lost 4-1 against them 2 years ago, the series was a lot closer than that final result shows. We led by 20 in three of the 5 games and in another one we got screwed by the refs. And all this with a rotation of a 30% Ginobili, Finley, Thomas, Oberto, Udoka, Barry and Vaughn. Change that for (hopefully) a healthy Ginbili, Mason, McDyess, Blair, Jefferson, Mahinmi and Hill. There's a huge difference between that Spurs' team and this one, while the Lakers stayed pretty much the same.

[Cry Havoc]

This still puts the lakers over 80 million dollars in salary. Plus Phil jackson is getting paid a lot to. LA's future will be limited. But this offseason it seems like the contenders are all in.

+1

Good post.

[kwamay_brown54]

Vegas has lakers at even money. Yikes for other teams. I don't think I have ever seen a future bet where the stakes are at EVEN odds. That is really crazy to think about, especially since were are 10 months from the finals again.

[timtonymanu]

No suprise and finally...

I can't wait for the season!!!

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Well that settles the question of where, but the really fun one is what he's going to bring now that he's been paid.

[Gino]

Gino seriously dude, don't be so negative. The Lakers are the favorite but they are not even close to beign unbeatable, remember that even though we lost 4-1 against them 2 years ago, the series was a lot closer than that final result shows. We led by 20 in three of the 5 games and in another one we got screwed by the refs. And all this with a rotation of a 30% Ginobili, Finley, Thomas, Oberto, Udoka, Barry and Vaughn. Change that for (hopefully) a healthy Ginbili, Mason, McDyess, Blair, Jefferson, Mahinmi and Hill. There's a huge difference between that Spurs' team and this one, while the Lakers stayed pretty much the same.

1) Im not a Spurs fan. Im a Celtics fan who doesnt know how to change his team affiliation. :p:

2) Blair hasnt played a single NBA game. McDyess is very, very old. Ginobili an Duncan arent the players they once were and Richard Jefferson is more athlete than basketball player. Theyre the second favorite to come out of the west, but the gap between 1-2 is bigger than the gap between 2-8.

[KSeal]

Shelly Smith of ESPN was on the local radio out here and she said that Portland came into it late and offered a 5/40 million dollar deal. Is that even possible?????

Can someone answer me this? Didn't they spend like 6 of their 7 of cap space on Miller?

[DAF86]

1) Im not a Spurs fan. Im a Celtics fan who doesnt know how to change his team affiliation. :p:

2) Blair hasnt played a single NBA game. McDyess is very, very old. Ginobili an Duncan arent the players they once were and Richard Jefferson is more athlete than basketball player. Theyre the second favorite to come out of the west, but the gap between 1-2 is bigger than the gap between 2-8.

Well that explains a lot. Only Spurs fans know how much our team has really improved.

And about the team thing PM timvp or Kori.

[benefactor]

Good...I was really getting sick of all the BS. Hopefully both teams will be healthy and ready to go for the playoffs. Should be a helluva series.

[Muser]

1) Im not a Spurs fan. Im a Celtics fan who doesnt know how to change his team affiliation. :p:

2) Blair hasnt played a single NBA game. McDyess is very, very old. Ginobili an Duncan arent the players they once were and Richard Jefferson is more athlete than basketball player. Theyre the second favorite to come out of the west, but the gap between 1-2 is bigger than the gap between 2-8.


1) Rasheed is very, very old.

2) Allen and KG aren't the players they once were.

3) Richard Jefferson averaged 20 ppg last year.

[DAF86]

Shelly Smith of ESPN was on the local radio out here and she said that Portland came into it late and offered a 5/40 million dollar deal. Is that even possible?????

lol are you serious? that would be so fucking hilarious.

[Bruno]

Nice to see the whole Odom saga finished.

Lakers are the favorites to win it all next year but they aren't unbeatable.

[yavozerb]

:downspin:...Now I want to see Celtics vs Cavs and Spurs vs lakers with all 4 teams healthy, is this asking too much?

[benefactor]

Nice to see the whole Odom saga finished.

Lakers are the favorites to win it all next year but they aren't unbeatable.
Sure they are. Just as Culburn, House, lakaluva, KSeal...

[Gino]

1) Rasheed is very, very old.

2) Allen and KG aren't the players they once were.

3) Richard Jefferson averaged 20 ppg last year.

All True. But the Celtics curb-stomped the Lakers in the finals two years ago where Spurs could only win a single game. And I dont think you want Richard Jefferson taking away shots from Ginobili, Parker and Duncan.

[024]

the ESPN article also says portland offered odom 5/40 million. they probably pulled it pretty quick after gaining interest with miller. they don't have enough cap space for both.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

WTF? Why wouldn't I be?



I was joking, you said you wouldn't post for a year if he went to Miami.

[DAF86]

the ESPN article also says portland offered odom 5/40 million. they probably pulled it pretty quick after gaining interest with miller. they don't have enough cap space for both.

I don't get what Portland is trying to do.

[Gino]

The Spurs were not healthy in the 08 playoffs from the second round on.

And I am a little surprised people forgot that Horry was hurt that year too. Rob was a major part of our 07 run.

Thats the thing. Since older players are so succeptable to injury, its only natural that the Spurs are starting to have a trend of always being injured.

Ariza would have been a better fit for the Spurs than Jefferson, IMO.

[Muser]

All True. But the Celtics curb-stomped the Lakers in the finals two years ago where Spurs could only win a single game. And I dont think you want Richard Jefferson taking away shots from Ginobili, Parker and Duncan.

He won't, my point was that if he can average 20 ppg as the main man then his efficiency should increase with a much better team around him (i.e Gasol)

[benefactor]

Why does everyone keep bringing up stuff that happened over the past two years? This team is completely different so all the 4-1 vs. LA two years ago and the 4-1 vs. Dallas doesn't mean a damn thing.

[DAF86]

Thats the thing. Since older players are so succeptable to injury, its only natural that the Spurs are starting to have a trend of always being injured.

Ariza would have been a better fit for the Spurs than Jefferson, IMO.

Fisher: old as fuck
Bryant, Odom, Gasol, Artest: in their 30's
Bynum: Injury prone.

We'll just have to wait and see. Everything can happen.

[Gino]

Why does everyone keep bringing up stuff that happened over the past two years? This team is completely different so all the 4-1 vs. LA two years ago and the 4-1 vs. Dallas doesn't mean a damn thing.

Meh...wishful thinking. The Spurs are only going to go as far as Ginobili and Duncan take them, and I just have my doubts of what Ginobili is still capable of.

[DAF86]

They can't do it, Miller took up a lot of their money. The Blazers still have some cap space, but not a lot.

Had Darius Miles not been on their books this season they could have made that move easily.

So why the rumour? is Miller signed already?

[redzero]

I, for one, welcome our new Laker overlords. Maybe a Spurs player can take one of the Laker's big four out.

[Culburn369]

Now what the fuck are we going to do 'til October?

I'm about "4-1 Mavs" tired out.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

There are similar question marks hanging over the heads of these contenders

LA - Bynum's knees, Artest's brain, Odom's heart

Cleveland - Shaq's health in general, growing pressure on Lebron and his possible exit looming

Boston - Age and health of KG, Rasheed, Allen

San Antonio - Tim's knees, Manu's ankle, lots of new faces

Sadly the odds are that all of these will not catch all the lucky breaks and have everyone 100% and clicking together when the playoffs roll around. If any one of those teams caught good breaks on all of their concerns while the other three just broke even? Picking contenders is easy right now, but picking a favorite is a total crap shoot.

[benefactor]

Meh...wishful thinking. The Spurs are only going to go as far as Ginobili and Duncan take them, and I just have my doubts of what Ginobili is still capable of.
He will still be our xfactor, but he will be required to do less with the new additions.

[Gino]

Fisher: old as fuck
Bryant, Odom, Gasol: in their 30's
Bynum: Injury prone.

We'll just have to wait and see. Everything can happen.

Bynum: Doesnt matter. They werent seriously challenged last year with him playing 12 minutes a game. And they still got passed the Spurs two years ago in five games without him.

Gasol: 29
Odom: 29

[Muser]

Now what the fuck are we going to do 'til October?

I'm about "4-1 Mavs" tired out.


I think everyone on this board is, apart from House.

But yeah, waiting for the season sucks ass.

[benefactor]

Now what the fuck are we going to do 'til October?

I'm about "4-1 Mavs" tired out.

4-1 faggots!

[Gino]

He will still be our xfactor, but he will be required to do less with the new additions.

I think Ginobili as the "X-Factor" was good enough for 2007. But the 2010 Lakers arent the 2007 Suns and the 2010 Celtics arent the 2007 Cavaliers.

Just my opinion.

[benefactor]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

[sprrs]

All True. But the Celtics curb-stomped the Lakers in the finals two years ago where Spurs could only win a single game. And I dont think you want Richard Jefferson taking away shots from Ginobili, Parker and Duncan.

What's up with that logic? Of course we want Jefferson taking away shots from the big three. A fourth legit scorer is exactly what they needed, not only to take the pressure off the big three, but also to keep them rested because they won't be counted on to do as much. It's not like the big three are selfish and only care about their own stats. And it's not like Jefferson is some scrub who won't deliver. There's no way to spin this so it's bad that Jefferson's on the team.

[Gino]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

If Artest REALLY makes the Lakers worse, Phil Jackson wont play him.

[benefactor]

I think Ginobili as the "X-Factor" was good enough for 2007. But the 2010 Lakers arent the 2007 Suns and the 2010 Celtics arent the 2007 Cavaliers.

Just my opinion.
Our supporting cast of scorers is much better than 2007. It's actually probably better than any team the Spurs have fielded. But we will have to wait and see. The games are played on the floor and not in a forum.

[benefactor]

If Artest REALLY makes the Lakers worse, Phil Jackson wont play him.
If this is true, then the Lakers will be much more vulnerable. They will need all of their horses.

[Gino]

What's up with that logic? Of course we want Jefferson taking away shots from the big three. A fourth legit scorer is exactly what they needed, not only to take the pressure off the big three, but also to keep them rested because they won't be counted on to do as much. It's not like the big three are selfish and only care about their own stats. And it's not like Jefferson is some scrub who won't deliver. There's no way to spin this so it's bad that Jefferson's on the team.

Okay, let me explain it to you.

1) Jefferson doesnt do anything besides score.

2) Jefferson needs a lot of shots to score.

3) Jefferson shoots at a much lower percentage than Parker, Ginobili and Duncan.

A better pickup would have been a guy who could hit the open three, score in transition, play solid D and help Duncan out with rebounding.

That is, Trevor Ariza.

[sonic21]

he played well in a contract year and i'm not sure we'll see the same commitment from him.

[KSeal]

I just hope all the contending teams players stay healthy, and may the best team win.

[Muser]

Okay, let me explain it to you.

1) Jefferson doesnt do anything besides score.

2) Jefferson needs a lot of shots to score.

3) Jefferson shoots at a much lower percentage than Parker, Ginobili and Duncan.

A better pickup would have been a guy who could hit the open three, score in transition, play solid D and help Duncan out with rebounding.

That is, Trevor Ariza.

0.397% 3PT shooter, Arizia is 0.319%

Ariza Shoots 0.460 from the field, Jefferson shoots 0.439 whilst taking many more shots.


What you fail to realise is that Jefferson is replacing Michael Finley as a starter, that alone is a huge upgrade.

[Culburn369]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

True. And it's not even his mental state that concerns me. It's his ability to perform in that circumstance of "The Lakers"...and perform to his empirical record. So many that have shown up there have proven totally incapable.

[MambaJuice2408]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

I disagree....I think Artest becomes a question mark further down the line. Like maybe year two or three. He's gonna be a good citizen this year. He seems excited to play under Phil and alongside Kobe.

[Amaso]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

You think Artest is going to plant a bomb in the Lakers lockerroom or something?

[redzero]

When was the last time Artest was in a pressure situation? Last year that Rockets team had nothing to lose. Two years ago he was on the Kings. Has his team ever been favorites?

It doesn't really matter now, since he has Kobe, Gasol, Odom, and Bynum on his team.

[Gino]

Jefferson shot 40% from 3 point land last season and 44% from the field. Thats pretty good last time I checked. When he was with the nets on a team that gets media attention he was known as a good defender. And when he played along side Carter and Kidd two years ago he averaged 22.6 PPG. So as the second, third or fourth option on any given night he is damn good. He isn't a Kobe Bryant, LeBron james or Tim Duncan level player, but he is a manu ginboli, Vince Carter, Ray Allen level player.


He cant create his own shot like Manu or Vince and he doesnt even belong in the same sentence as Ray Allen (considering one is a pure shooter and the other is all athlete).

[Culburn369]

As much as it is downplayed by Laker fan, Artest is as much of a question mark as Ginobili's health.

& furthermore on this subject:::your max payoff is markedly higher than ours. If Ginobili is whole again you gain much more than if Artest satisfies our "need." That "need" is unknown. Manu's "wholeness" has a stark reality, a finished painting hangs there in San Antonio, everywhere.

[picc84]

excellent, no excuses now. Spurs/Lakers...WCF...may the best team win.

I love it. Two best franchises in the league. Premier teams of the 21st century. Lakers, Spurs. Its how its supposed to be.

Lets go. :ihit:toast

[Culburn369]

I see your point Cul, but Artest strikes me as the type of guy that would run through a brick wall for Kobe. Forget the fact that PJ could keep him focused, Artest is like a kid around Kobe, and its up to Kobe to make this guy feel like fam. If he does... look out.

I God's, Luva hits it. And its a slippery slope for Kobe. Artest wants of Kobe what Daddy wanted of Kobe. Kobe wasn't Artest though and wanted no part of it, and it literally broke Daddy's heart at first and then made him bitter. Is Kobe going to want that constant adoration? It's like when a woman wants you, but, you don't want her. I hate that feeling. I'd rather want the woman and her not want me (me & Kori comes immediately to mind) than the other way.

[kobyz]

LOL Odom!!

[Muser]

Ironically to your point Gino Jefferson being a "Pure Athlete" is just what we need at the 3.

[IronMexican]

awesome

[SpursDynasty]

Lamar Odom returning to the Lakers. Gee what a shock, never saw that one coming. Am I reading correctly?

[Rogue]

Jefferson shot 40% from 3 point land last season and 44% from the field. Thats pretty good last time I checked. When he was with the nets on a team that gets media attention he was known as a good defender. And when he played along side Carter and Kidd two years ago he averaged 22.6 PPG. So as the second, third or fourth option on any given night he is damn good. He isn't a Kobe Bryant, LeBron james or Tim Duncan level player, but he is a manu ginboli, Vince Carter, Ray Allen level player.
anyone playing with Kidd can drop decent numbers of points night in and night out, since Kidd always feeds you perfect assists and never takes too many shots from your hand. With Kidd as our PG, the Mavs got 3 guys last season averaging around 20 points per night. For an improper imagination, Kidd is just like the engine of a team, which gives the whole team source of power but never let anyone see him. Only when dude is missing can we notice what an important role he plays.

[duncan228]

Lamar Odom re-signs with the Lakers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Odom-re-signs-with-the-Lakers;_ylt=AmgplCaWhsd4dtKBDUXtU0K8vLYF?urn=nba,1 79925)
By Kelly Dwyer
Ball Don't Lie

It's a great line to toss out, especially with a bit of wry sarcasm, so we like to save it for only the best of occasions. This is one of those occasions:

My fellow Americans (and Skeets as well), our long, national nightmare is over (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLyX4DbE6Hc).

Lamar Odom has signed a contract to play basketball next season (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Report-Odom-agrees-to-deal-with-Lakers;_ylt=AqwXipGWswR_R37SnNODsPe8vLYF?urn=nba,1 79911).

And for two seasons after that, with a team option for a fourth year. That option belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers, because the Los Angeles Lakers were the team that Lamar Odom signed with.

Not the Miami Heat, or Portland Trail Blazers; two outfits that would have flourished with Odom in the lineup, but the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

It's a suitable ending to an annoying month of free agent machinations, with Odom's dalliances ranking as the chief annoyance.

From the outset (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Do-people-know-how-good-Lamar-Odom-is-?urn=nba,174156), it was clear that teams were underrating the 29-year old forward, who backed himself into a corner by repeatedly professing his desire to remain a Laker throughout his contract year in 2008-09.

Odom's candid nature (for shame!) and anti-stat hoarding ways possibly cost him a few million, but he also gets to stay in the city he wants to, working on the team he wants to, for a reported four years and $33 million (should the Lakers pick up that team option).

And while we rip Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss for playing a hard juice card with Odom when he didn't have to (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Lamar-Odom-gives-Miami-a-look?urn=nba,178763), especially when Odom essentially sacrificed his own juice card for the good of the Lakers last season, the fact remains that Buss is under no obligation to spend his money as we sit fit. And not even counting coach Phil Jackson's eight-figure salary, Buss' Laker payroll for players alone will spiral well over $100 million once all the luxury tax costs are factored in.

What does he get from this? A likely champion, if everything goes right. An athletic team on both ends that is pleasing to the eye, and appealing to the TV audience and sponsors. A team that not only will play on Christmas, but also well into June. Again, if everything goes right.

And Lamar Odom helps everything go right. He's one of the team's best help defenders. He's the team's best rebounder. Its most creative passer. He runs the offense with Kobe Bryant on the bench, something that no other Laker save for Derek Fisher (getting on in years) and Bryant can do properly. If Odom split to Miami or Portland, the Lakers would have had a right mess with the starting backcourt on the bench, or even with one out on the floor.

It's a great deal, for all sides. The Lakers get their do-everything, team-first forward at a fair price, Odom gets to stay in Los Angeles, and over seven million a year to play basketball for the champs is about right. I rate the guy as an eight figures sort of player, I'm sure most of you feel the same way, but the market is the market. So it goes.

And so we move on. Tomorrow is the last day of July, a month that brought us some wacked-out free agent machinations, some surprising twists, some appealing turns, and a whole lot of fodder for BDL to bash through.

August? Get ready for a real, real close examination of Ramon Sessions. We might have to take up shop in the cat's front lawn.

That's the NBA. From one nightmare to the next.

[Gino]

How many nets/Bucks games have you seen in the past 3 years to tell me he can't create his own shot?

Since you dont believe me, lets see Hollinger's take:

Scouting report: Jefferson is an explosive driver, especially going to his right from the right side, and is among the best in the league at running the floor -- again, virtually always on the right side. The change is that he now has become a good enough midrange jump shooter that teams have to respect his shot.

He's not a great ball-handler and will make bad decisions and/or take poor shots when he's put into positions to create; as a result, he's much better used finishing what other players start, as he did to such great effect with Jason Kidd while in New Jersey.

Jefferson was the Nets' top wing defender the past three years, but seemed to pay less mind to that role last season; in fact, the Nets allowed 5.6 points per 48 minutes more when he was on the court.

[Rogue]

No matter if the 4 year 33 million is overpaid, it's still guaranteed a smart move for Lakers team. As to the financial situation the boys in blue are facing, the Lakers are also very deep beyond the luxury threshold line and the salary cap. for teams in such a situation, letting a FA walk doesn't make any sense since no salary space can be saved by the departure. It only saves the owner some money, but can not dump the salary to somewhere below the salary cap. Donnie could have re-signed Brandon Bass at mid-level with early bird rights, i mean he didnt need to break the MLE to retain Bass but dude remained dumb and let him walk eventually.

[Kobe™]

http://fantastiksports.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/lamar-odom.jpg
http://fantastiksports.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/lamar-odom.jpg

[jonnybravo]

I just hope all the contending teams players stay healthy, and may the best team win.


KSeal,

Do you have the original picture for that avatar? If it's big enough, I'm going to try to turn that into a wallpaper.

[ulosturedge]

So let me get this straight Lamar did come back crawling to the Lakers? 4years 33mil with that last year being a team option. So thats really a 3year 24mil~ deal? or is it 10mil a year the first 3 years with 3mil left over for the 4th?

[KSeal]

KSeal,

Do you have the original picture for that avatar? If it's big enough, I'm going to try to turn that into a wallpaper.

http://art4collectors.com/magic_johnson.jpg

This is the biggest one I know of.

[mavsfan1000]

D-Whistle just got owned. :lmao

[Culburn369]

So let me get this straight Lamar did come back crawling to the Lakers? 4years 33mil with that last year being a team option. So thats really a 3year 24mil~ deal? or is it 10mil a year the first 3 years with 3mil left over for the 4th?

It's 25 million over the first three years and then 2 million the fourth year if the Lakers don't pick up the option.

[Culburn369]

D-Whistle just got owned. :lmao

1000 is right. And that f'in leech Riley got his as well. He didn't even want Odom for his own benefit. He just wanted to deny us.

[duncan228]

Rich deal will keep Odom with Lakers (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=afp-basketnbalakers&prov=afp&type=lgns)

Lamar Odom will remain with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a deal for at least three years worth a minimum of 27 million dollars, ESPN reported Thursday.

The deal, not confirmed by the club, would give the forward 25 million dollars for the first three seasons of the contract with the Lakers holding an fourth-season option at eight million dollars or a two million-dollar buyout.

Odom, who turns 30 next November, averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in the regular season and led the Lakers with a club-best 98 blocked shots. In the playoffs, Odom averaged 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds a game.

The Miami Heat had also made a play for Odom, pitching up to 34 million over five seasons to have Odom join superstar guard Dwyane Wade after the Lakers pulled back from an earlier offer to Odom.

Instead, Odom's return secures the final major player from the championship run to return to the Lakers in hopes of a repeat bid next season.

The lone major loss was reserve forward Trevor Ariza, who left for Houston after the Lakers landed former Rockets standout Ron Artest.

[Gino]

1000 is right. And that f'in leech Riley got his as well. He didn't even want Odom for his own benefit. He just wanted to deny us.

I dont believe that. What team WOULDNT want Odom for the MLE?

Its the freaking MLE! How in the world did this just happen?

Lamar Odom just got the same contract as Shawn Marion?!!!

[Culburn369]

I just caught our da raising the white flag over at phxsuns.net:::

da_suns_fan (http://www.phxsuns.net/member.php?u=441)
Veteran
http://www.phxsuns.net/images/ranks/veteran.jpg

http://www.phxsuns.net/image.php?u=441&dateline=1246995774 (http://www.phxsuns.net/member.php?u=441)

Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 539
http://www.phxsuns.net/ogenzen/reputation/reputation_balance.gif


http://www.phxsuns.net/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: News for July 20 - 26, 2009
Hollinger and a couple other unconfirmed sources are saying the Odom is going back to LA.

There goes anyone else's chance at the title.
__________________

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I think Ginobili as the "X-Factor" was good enough for 2007. But the 2010 Lakers arent the 2007 Suns and the 2010 Celtics arent the 2007 Cavaliers.


At least some people (whether or not I'm a big fan of theirs or not) understand how much better the top of the league is now than it was in 2007.

Are the 2007 Suns even a top 5 team in today's NBA?

[Culburn369]

I dont believe that. What team WOULDNT want Odom for the MLE?

Its the freaking MLE! How in the world did this just happen?

Lamar Odom just got the same contract as Shawn Marion?!!!

Well, I was being a bit overwrought, talking out my ass a little, but, I'm not real convinced Odom is a difference maker anywhere. Riley was trying aggravate us. That SOB!!!

Gino, Odom never had any intention of leaving, lets face it. He's been half out of his mind ever since his child died. I imagine that organization took great care of him & his when that happened, and he ain't forgotten it.

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

man finally its over!
now lakers are back on track, time to REPEAT!!! :lobt2:

[Gino]

Well, I was being a bit overwrought, talking out my ass a little, but, I'm not real convinced Odom is a difference maker anywhere. Riley was trying aggravate us. That SOB!!!

Gino, Odom never had any intention of leaving, lets face it. He's been half out of his mind ever since his child died. I imagine that organization took great care of him & his when that happened, and he ain't forgotten it.

Oh, I agree.

I said MULTIPLE times that if Lamar Odom left for Miami I wouldnt post for a year.

We're (Boston, San Antonio, Dallas etc) just not that lucky. Apparently the only team that is that lucky is the Lakers.

[amman]

man if LO left it woulda been the perfect ending for our offseason...
Oh well, to the WCF then we can make Kobe ,Derek and LO cry ;)

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3609527651_66f76bd1b6.jpg

He's BAAACCKK!! :lol

[Culburn369]

ethan_cohen (http://www.phxsuns.net/member.php?u=65)
Hall Of Fame
http://www.phxsuns.net/images/ranks/halloffame.jpg

http://www.phxsuns.net/image.php?u=65&dateline=1198421148 (http://www.phxsuns.net/member.php?u=65)

Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,599
http://www.phxsuns.net/ogenzen/reputation/reputation_pos.gif


http://www.phxsuns.net/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: News for July 20 - 26, 2009
Hi Dale, hope you're doing well.
__________________
It's here! www.humantribeproject.com (http://www.humantribeproject.com/)

Please check out my thread, "HTP is coming" in the General folder. Feedback would be great.
Status: Online


Ethan!!!!!!!!!!! Sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!! Pumpkinpuss!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, Ethan, talk to Sose, tell him old Cubby wants to come back. Tell him I'll watch my P's and I'll keep a sharp lookout on my Q's. What say, old horse, do I stand a chance of reinstatment to Sose's Joint?

Love always,

- Cubby

[23LeBronJames23]

We will see you in the finals LA!

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

1) Fish (Brown, Farmar)
2) Kobe (Sasha, Morrison)
3) Artest (Odom, Walton)
4) Pau (Odom, Powell, Walton)
5) Bynum (Pau, Powell, Benga)

There you go, Depth chart for a championship.
I'm callin 70 wins extacy! :hat

[Culburn369]

We will see you in the finals LA!

Duder, I don't want to hurt feelings, but, Daddy is going to make you so sorry. He can't move. His initial effort is bad enough, but, there is no follow up whatsoever. He reaches, he paws, he stumbles.

Prepare yourself, I beseech you, 23.

[Culburn369]

1) Fish (Brown, Farmar)
2) Kobe (Sasha, Morrison)
3) Artest (Odom, Walton)
4) Pau (Odom, Powell, Walton)
5) Bynum (Pau, Powell, Benga)

There you go, Depth chart for a championship.
I'm callin 70 wins extacy! :hat

I'm so happy, I'm giddy. I feel like I'm 55 instead of 56!

[Showtime24 LAKERS]

I'm so happy, I'm giddy. I feel like I'm 55 instead of 56!

LOL I said all along that Odom was going to resign.

Alright, here's my next prediction: The Lakers will be the 2009-2010 NBA Champions :lobt2:

[Culburn369]

"You don't stand a chance Dale. Not with the current state of the board. These cats are all wound up and ain't nobody gonna throw fuel on the fire. I miss ya, old pal. Good to see the reports of your demise were greatly exaggerated."

I see the discord, but, I'll come back and be a healing influence. I'll be the Good Dale, not the Bad Cubby. I won't O & anything. We'll just talk good old basketball until November then just set me outside by the dumpster. I won't protest. You guys need a change over there. Maybe you need me. Maybe this whole thing is like a sign from like God. At least talk to Sose. Hell, I voted for his eye scholarship like three times. Just for three months. C'mon, Ethan, you hold sway there, talk to him.

[anakha]

Yeah Adande just confirmed Odom going back.


According to my buddy that works in Miami the Heat are "pissed"

Supposedly he verbally commited to them two days ago and then the next morning balked.

Dudes a headcase.

So your 'little birdie' was wrong? Shocker!

[Culburn369]

LOL I said all along that Odom was going to resign.

I'm such a negative shit I thought the opposite. Especially with that sweet early out contract that the Heat offered him. Turns out he never had any intention of leaving.

Man, what a great evening. So many miserable ones since Kobe and the rape thing. I never thought it would start moving the other way again for us. Now an entire month of nothing but bliss.

[Culburn369]

Do not be surprised if Morrison takes all of Sashas minutes.

If we hit gold somehow with Morrison I don't believe I could stand it. I might go double coronary on the spot.

[bostonguy]

The Celtic/Lakers games should be fun. I see it being intense from start to finish. I just wonder what player will KG pick on? Maybe he will pick on Sun Yue? Problem is Artest is their enforcer and would have any of his teamates back. KG doesn't like players who stand up to him. It makes him look like a pussy. Maybe it's best if KG saves his bullying for another team.

[picc84]

Artest isnt a big concern for LA. Lets remember something, every season some new player comes to the Lakers and everyone else gets up in arms about how they all of a sudden start playing above their heads.

Gasol comes to LA and suddenly he's playing defense. Shannon Brown comes in a throw-in from Charlotte, and Cleveland fans, among many others, are surprised at how much of a contributor he turns out to be when he was a bum on the Cavs and Bobcats. As soon as Smush Parker left the lakers he couldnt even make the roster on a 15 win heat team and ended up in the d-league. Trevor Ariza was a raw potential bum on NY and Orlando and what happens when he comes to LA? We all saw what he became. And I could go on.

Something about playing for the Lakers maximizes players potentials. Maybe its Phil Jackson, maybe its something else, but players generally play above themselves when they come here. I'm not concerned about Artest. He'll be fine, and come December fans will be complaining about how much better he's playing now that he's in LA, just like everyone else who comes here.

[Culburn369]

I'm not concerned about Artest. He'll be fine, and come December fans will be complaining about how much better he's playing now that he's in LA, just like everyone else who comes here.

picc, many, many have come there and fallen flat on their face. Some cannot even function: Richmond, Murray, Meds, that idiot Radmo, Parker, Samaki Walker (though it never killed his spirit, he kept right on smiling thru all his rottin' play, God love 'em.), Turiaf, that mf'er would charge the rim, get within a half a meter and fire it back out for the contested 22 footer. I wanted to cry. The list is without end, picc. I just hope Artest is like Rice and not the list above. Please God!

[bostonguy]

Something about playing for the Lakers maximizes players potentials. Maybe its Phil Jackson, maybe its something else, but players generally play above themselves when they come here. I'm not concerned about Artest. He'll be fine, and come December fans will be complaining about how much better he's playing now that he's in LA, just like everyone else who comes here.

Phil is part of it but mostly it is what it says on the jersey everytime that player puts it on. It isn't like being a celtic, bull, piston, or spur. Being on a team like the Lakers is special. You are part of a winning tradition.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I just hope we see a healthy Boston vs. a healthy Lakers finals, anything else will be a disappointment from an NBA fan's viewpoint, with the exception of maybe Lakers vs. Cavs.

[2Cleva]

Thing about Artest is he, like Shaq, wants that off-court media spotlight. Which is fine for this team.

His respect for Phil, Kobe and LO will keep him in line. He knows his mark will be on D.

What's also great is he's had tri experience and can shoot the 3.

What's even better is the balance in age in the Laker roster. 4 key guys (Kobe, Pau, LO, Artest) in their prime. Old head in Fisher. 2 young guys who are still growing in Bynum and Brown.

Season isn't over but their is an obvious gap between LA and whoever is number 2.

They are better set for a dynasty run now than what they were after Bling 1 with Shaq and Kobe.

[bostonguy]

picc, many, many have come there and fallen flat on their face. Some cannot even function: Richmond, Murray, Meds, that idiot Radmo, Parker, Samaki Walker (though it never killed his spirit, he kept right on smiling thru all his rottin' play, God love 'em.), Turiaf, that mf'er would charge the rim, get within a half a meter and fire it back out for the contested 22 footer. I wanted to cry. The list is without end, picc. I just hope Artest is like Rice and not the list above. Please God!

Artest has been a good little boy since the 2006 year when he was dealt to the Kings. Since then, he has been on his best behavior. He has always respected Kobe, Phil, and the entire Lakers Organization. He is a part of something real special. He took a fucking pay cut to be a Laker. He wouldnt have signed for the MLE anywhere else. He is at the point of his career where he wants to win championships. I see him thriving with LA. As Lakaluva said before, if the Lakers biggest concern is Artest being a team player, you are in a damn good position then.

[Culburn369]

Season isn't over but their is an obvious gap between LA and whoever is number 2.

Cleva, of a glorious Thursday evening, just delivering the absolute goods.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

What's the latest on Boston resigning Glen Davis?

[Culburn369]

It's so good it's almost like I'm dreaming. Can somebody (Kori) please pinch old Culburn?

[bostonguy]

What's the latest on Boston resigning Glen Davis?

I think they are waiting for someone to sign him to an offer sheet. How much the offer is will determine if they match it or not. Celts management wants to keep him. I will say this. Celts need to resign Davis. They cant afford to lose him.

[bostonguy]

I cursed him so bad at a Laker/Spur game for doing that shit. I know he heard me, and I wish I could have apologized. He's a nice guy, but too soft.

The last memory I have of Turiaf was him being literally bullied by Powe and Baby in the finals. I fucking hung my head when the buzzer sounded an Turiaf went to shake Baby's hand, and Baby just shoved him like a bitch.

:lmao:lmao I remember that. One thing I will admit is the Celts while an elite team, have so many arrogant cocky pricks on that team. Especially after winning the title, they really picked up that reputation.

[Culburn369]

I cursed him so bad at a Laker/Spur game for doing that shit. I know he heard me, and I wish I could have apologized. He's a nice guy, but too soft.

The last memory I have of Turiaf was him being literally bullied by Powe and Baby in the finals. I fucking hung my head when the buzzer sounded an Turiaf went to shake Baby's hand, and Baby just shoved him like a bitch.

I saw it too, Luva. They had no respect for us and we deserved none. They knew they could intimidate us and that was their strategy from the start. I still question what they saw, what they sensed about us that gave them that license to attempt that. They didn't do it to anybody else in the playoffs, just us.

Luva, c'mon, don't talk about that now. Let's rejoice this night.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

I think they are waiting for someone to sign him to an offer sheet. How much the offer is will determine if they match it or not. Celts management wants to keep him. I will say this. Celts need to resign Davis. They cant afford to lose him.

Yeah their front court is good as is, but Davis would add depth and another quality defender.

[Banzai]

http://i30.tinypic.com/oscy89.jpg

[IronMexican]

Remember all those people who said LO was leaving cause he doesn't want to play with Kobe? lol. He even took less money.

[eyeh8u]

Buss knew what he was doing all along pulling that offer. He ended up getting a great deal. 4/33 with a team option for the fourth year.

Can you say fourpeat?

fourpeat? i think you guys are gonna win the next 25 years consecutively, in a row, one after another.

[picc84]

picc, many, many have come there and fallen flat on their face. Some cannot even function: Richmond, Murray, Meds, that idiot Radmo, Parker, Samaki Walker (though it never killed his spirit, he kept right on smiling thru all his rottin' play, God love 'em.), Turiaf, that mf'er would charge the rim, get within a half a meter and fire it back out for the contested 22 footer. I wanted to cry. The list is without end, picc. I just hope Artest is like Rice and not the list above. Please God!

Samaki Walker and Medvedenko couldnt stay in the league after playing for LA, just like Smush Parker. Which proves my point. Players who play for the Lakers always look better than they really are, or get better than they used to be.

Richmond was 80 when he came to LA. So was Murray.

Radman was decent for us. Hell, he was a starter. Is he starting on the Bobcats? Not even close.

Every one of the players you listed looks/looked worse on the team they played for after LA then they did during their time with the Lakers. In addition to that, you listed players that sucked anyway. Artest is already a proven good player.

Relax. Have faith in the laker magic.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

Personally, I'd rather cheer for a team full of assholes that win championships than cheer for a bunch of choir boys who are too nice to go the distance.

[Culburn369]

That was beyond arrogant, but I guess if you a C's fan, you had to love that last spit in the face when we were down and bloody. Even a lion wont attack another lion if that lion is down and injured. No pity from the C's, that's for sure

At least if we go again, they'll be no Powe. Maybe Perkins will break parole and he'll be gone by then as well.

[picc84]

Phil is part of it but mostly it is what it says on the jersey everytime that player puts it on. It isn't like being a celtic, bull, piston, or spur. Being on a team like the Lakers is special. You are part of a winning tradition.

This too. Some franchises just have a way of doing this, a kind of 'magic' about them. LA is one of them. You come here and good things happen for you. Every single year I hear the same complaints on every message board I go to. "How does [insert player] all of a sudden look like a world-beater with LA when they were a scrub last season? [insert expletive cursing Lakers for being lucky/bullsh--/etc]. I'm used to it.

And Artest is actually a GOOD player to begin with.

I'm not worried.

[duncan228]

Western Conference executive opines on Lamar Odom remaining with the Lakers (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/07/western-conference-executive-opines-on-lamar-odoms-return-with-the-lakers.html)
LA Times

Granting candor in exchange for anonymity, one Western Conference executive shared the significance of Lamar Odom agreeing to remain with the Lakers.

On Odom staying with the Lakers: “Neither the Lakers nor Lamar Odom had any choice in this matter. Lamar Odom was not going to leave millions on the table to move to Miami. Los Angeles wasn’t going to allow one of their key pieces to walk away this summer when the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic made moves to get better this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t allow themselves to get worse, which would happen if they lost Lamar Odom and his versatility.”

What would’ve happened had Odom not agreed to return to the Lakers: “They’d no longer be the favorite to win the NBA title and the Western Conference championship. The Spurs would. Kobe Bryant can sprain an ankle and be out for the year. But they’d be a playoff team in the West with [Pau] Gasol, [Andrew] Bynum, [Ron] Artest and Odom. Without Lamar Odom, the Lakers would be one Kobe Bryant sprained ankle away from being a bottom-seeded team and not making the playoffs.”

On Odom’s versatility: “In the way they play, it’s a match-up nightmare. He can post small, take bigs off the dribble, rebounds like five a game and pushes the ball in transition. He’s a unique player coming off the bench in this league.”

On whether Odom's presence will help Artest, given their relationship: “I think having someone close to him [Artest] will help indoctrinate him in the culture and shorten the learning curve. If the Lakers have the impression Artest will follow other than what he chooses to do, they’re mistaken. They have great leadership in other places, but Ron is Ron. As long as they allow Ron to be Ron, they’ll be fine. The minute they try to put him in a vacuum, it’ll be over. Having someone like Lamar in that help shorten the learning curve on how to handle things. It will avoid certain land mines, but other ones will pop up.”

-- Mark Medina

[picc84]

:lmao:lmao I remember that. One thing I will admit is the Celts while an elite team, have so many arrogant cocky pricks on that team. Especially after winning the title, they really picked up that reputation.

Wow. You might be the coolest celtics fan i've ever encountered. :lol

Honestly I have little problem with Pierce or Allen. But I hate the rest of your team. Every one of them. And I used to be a huge Garnett fan. :bang

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

House, Rhondo, Perkins, and Powe were the worst.


Eddie House is a huge douche bag.

[bostonguy]

Eddie House is a huge douche bag.

He pops his jersey after every basket he makes. That shit pisses me off. It's like big fucking deal you made a 3. Get back on D and STFU.

[picc84]

I cant think of anyone i'd rather see get punched in the face than Eddie House.

Maybe Perkins. Maybe.

Loved seeing Rafer slap his kufi off. Hit one 3 pointer and its like you won the nba finals.

[bostonguy]

Wow. You might be the coolest celtics fan i've ever encountered. :lol

Honestly I have little problem with Pierce or Allen. But I hate the rest of your team. Every one of them. And I used to be a huge Garnett fan. :bang

I stand by KG due to him being a Celt and how much better he makes our team. That being said, his antics annoy me. The son of a bitch running his mouth with "MOTHERFUCKER" 1000000 TIMES while in a suit during the playoffs pissed me off. His shit talking to pg's who dont fight back was sad and embarrassing to watch. He does this knowing he doesnt have to carry the team in crunch time. Pierce is our go to guy in the 4th and KG can get away with the sidekick role. I love what KG brings to our team in terms of the D and being a 2nd-3rd option. I dont like his style of shit talking as I feel it reached a new low this past season.

[jonnybravo]

Jefferson isn't as good as any of those players. Maybe Manu, that's it. Allen and Carter, no.


I think 2009 RJ is better than Ray Allen.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

He pops his jersey after every basket he makes. That shit pisses me off. It's like big fucking deal you made a 3. Get back on D and STFU.


He'll miss 7 straight threes, then he'll make one and dance around like he's MJ and he just hit the game winning shot over Bryan Russell.

[Clutch City 01]

gotta love those Lakers fans(sarcasm of course).couple days ago they throw every obscenity at him and now they welcome him back with open arms.bunch of two faced a-holes.

and after all Wade went through to convince this guy to sign with the heat. he be on Miami& wade's hate list from now on...:ihit

[ginobili's bald spot]

gotta love those Lakers fans(sarcasm of course).couple days ago they throw every obscenity at him and now they welcome him back with open arms.bunch of two faced a-holes.

and after all Wade went through to convince this guy to sign with the heat. he be on Miami& wade's hate list from now on...:ihit

:lol U mad? Go ahead and take out those frustrations son.

[LOL texans]

Pppppffffftttttt.....Odom is soooo overrated just because they won the championship year(with the benefit of incredible luck with injuries to S.A. and Boston)

Just watch. L.A. will be competitive, but they won't represent the west this year, that much is obvious to non-homers and the media who hang on Kobe's tiny balls.

[La Peace]

I am going to get drunk tonight.

[2Cleva]

Odom finally ends his L.A. drama
Comment Email Print Share
Insider
Hollinger By John Hollinger
ESPN.com
Archive

From New Orleans all the way to Portland, basketball fans in the Western Conference are feeling a whole lot less optimistic than they were just 24 hours ago.

Except the ones in L.A., that is. They're breathing a huge sigh of relief. After a month-long drama where Lamar Odom's seemingly certain return to the world champions somehow became a 50-50 proposition, he relented and agreed to rejoin the team Thursday on a four-year deal worth $33 million.

The Lakers will have a team option on the final year, potentially making it a lucrative trade chip should Odom break down between now and then. (I won't repeat myself here, but for more on the increasing use of funny money at the end of contracts to sidestep the cap, read the end of my missive on the Andre Miller signing).

Of course, it never should have come to this. Odom was a vital cog in L.A.'s championship machine, a chameleon of sorts who could score, rebound or set up others depending on what the situation required. He was vital in another sense too -- any team with championship-caliber talent needs at least a few players who are willing to accept fewer shots and/or minutes for the greater good. Odom did that by agreeing to come off the bench in a contract year, and as a result the Lakers' had the league's most potent frontcourt rotation.

Add in the fact that everyone thinks he's a swell guy, and that he's one of the few people alive who might be able to get into the head of new teammate Ron Artest, and that the Lakers were offering more money per year than anyone else, and that Odom has spent most of his adult life in L.A. and clearly didn't want to go anywhere lese, and it seems a foregone conclusion that Odom would stay. Why was the Miami option ever in play?

Yet it was. Unfortunately for the rest of the West, cooler heads prevailed after emotions became heated enough that the Lakers were tempted to walk away and Odom considered taking a five-year deal from the Heat that would likely have returned less money over the life of the deal (this calculation depends on what he might earn four and five years from now when his Laker contract expires, so we don't know for sure).

Though they weren't direct participants, the Odom saga was a big, big deal to all those second-tier Western teams aspiring to make a run to the Finals. Every last one of them was praying that Odom would head to Miami and leave the Lakers at the altar.

It wasn't just that L.A. would have lost Odom, it was that they weren't going to be able to come up with a replacement. The Lakers already used their full midlevel exception on Artest and had no room under the salary cap, so the absolute best they could have done would be to offer the veteran's minimum to a ring-hungry vet or use their $2.5 million trade exception from last year's Chris Mihm giveaway to acquire an unwanted scrub from somebody else.

Basically, L.A. would have been left using Josh Powell as its primary frontcourt reserve, and while they could have papered over the shortcoming by using Artest and Luke Walton at power forward when either Gasol or Bynum was out of the game, it was still removing a source of strength from the Laker arsenal.

This was the opening teams like San Antonio and Portland hoped to exploit with their own huge frontcourts, feeling they could wear down L.A. with their size rather than the other way around. This was the match-up issue that teams like Denver wanted to go away, with Odom frequently creating dilemmas for the Nugget bench. This was the depth New Orleans hoped wouldn't be a factor, removing the frontcourt game of 3-against-2 they faced every time last year. This was the guy Dallas hoped wouldn't be on the floor when they unleashed their five-greyhound lineup in fourth quarters and could run Gasol and Bynum into submission. And this was the ball-handling perimeter player that nobody in Utah's macho frontcourt trio could cover.

Odom's not an All-Star, and he's only the fourth-best player on the team. But the combination of his unique skill set and the restrictions of the salary cap combined to make him the league's most important free agent this summer.

With Odom, the Lakers are the clear favorites to win the West, and more or less a 50-50 shot to repeat as champions in a presumed final against Cleveland, Orlando or Boston.

Without Odom? That opened the door for everybody else to get into the fray, offering a chink in the armor just large enough that the other contenders all felt they had a realistic shot at breaking through.

Now? Now teams are depending on some other stroke of good fortune for them (or a bad one for the Lakers) to get in the race. It may yet come -- we haven't played any games yet and seasons take all kinds of crazy twists and turns. But from this moment forward, the Lakers are overwhelming favorites to win the West & just like we'd assumed they'd be before all this drama started.

[picc84]

RJ is not and never has been as good as Ginobili or Allen. Not even close.

Allen was the premier playmaker/ballhandler/scorer on Seattle before he got traded. The only reason he does less on Boston is because they have an allstar team. Ginobili is Ginobili.

[LOL texans]

I am going to get drunk tonight.


and riot and cause destruction to city property and looting....like you all normally do when celebrating something Lakers.

Cool.

[Culburn369]

"This was the opening teams like San Antonio"

Hollinger is dead on accurate here. Pop probably had a gross of Plastics Jesus's Fed Ex'ed overnite to Corporate HQ and whole damn bunch of 'em were in there rubbin' the bejeesus out them.

Rub this, bitch!!!

[Culburn369]

"With Odom, the Lakers are the clear favorites to win the West, and more or less a 50-50 shot to repeat as champions in a presumed final against Cleveland, Orlando or Boston."

65-35% to San Antonio

30-70% to Boston

90-10% to the Kit & Kaboodle

[picc84]

15 million for LO, Artest, and Shannon this year combined. Mitch Kupchak is a GENIUS. :toast

Wait.

Andrew Bynum: 12.5 Million

Oh yeah. :bang

[Lebron4MVP]

Doesnt matter though. The Cavs have had the best offseason by far out of any of the elites. Moon gives us an athletic 4 to defend against the likes of odom/lewis. Shaq gives us that legit #2 guy and he is still a damn good player. Bron is a proven leader and will soon be a proven champion. The Cavs bench is pretty fucking good as well. Delonte and Z coming off the bench? Just sick. Lakers have had a nice offseason but it pales in comparison to the Cavs kickass one.

[Culburn369]

Lebron4, I can't reiterate to you enough: you're tragicly mistaken about Daddy.

And the remainder of your roster (after James) is just waiver wire materiel, strictly ham & eggers.

[Lebron4MVP]

Anthony Parker will give Kobe problems. Kobe wont have the luxary of having Delonte West guarding him anymore. Shaq has plenty left in the tank. The guy is going to make this team so damn unguardable on the offensive end. The D will be so much better with Moon and Shaq protecting the paint.

[Culburn369]

I think you'd have to give the best offseason to the Spurs. Especially when you include the draft.

1A) Spurs
1B) Cavs
2) Dallas
3) Orlando

LA only kept Odom and swapped Ariza for Artest. That isn't that great at all. Plus, factor in the thing was an ugly mess, and it's even less impressive.

Don't start tonite, Damus. We're all in festive mood, feeling our respective oats. Don't come in here startin' shit.

Or else.

[SouthTexasRancher]

Fuck this guy!!!


That's what I say, lakaluva. What the hell is it about La La Landers not being able to make decisions? Everyone else gets things done yesterday whereas the plastic crowd takes forever to decide on anything.

[SouthTexasRancher]

"With Odom, the Lakers are the clear favorites to win the West, and more or less a 50-50 shot to repeat as champions in a presumed final against Cleveland, Orlando or Boston."

65-35% to San Antonio

30-70% to Boston

90-10% to the Kit & Kaboodle

:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin

[picc84]

Anthony Parker will give Kobe problems. Kobe wont have the luxary of having Delonte West guarding him anymore. Shaq has plenty left in the tank. The guy is going to make this team so damn unguardable on the offensive end. The D will be so much better with Moon and Shaq protecting the paint.

This is what happened when Anthony Parker guarded Kobe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq6Q3r1HzFI

Parker is a purely offensive player. He's a defensive turnstile. You'd be better off putting West on Bryant.

Make no mistake, neither Parker nor Jamario Moon are good defensive players. Moon is an athlete and nothing more, there's a reason Toronto made him a throw-in in the JO trade and Miami didnt match his offer sheet. He's no better than Pavlovic - possibly worse, actually. West is a better player than both of them, and will be playing over both of them in crunch time.

Shaq will be more effective guarding the paint than Z, but teams are just going to do what San Antonio and Chicago did in his last two playoff exits. Pick and roll exclusively. Not give him a chance to guard the paint and make him guard the perimeter instead. A Rondo/Allen--Sheed/Garnett pick and roll against Shaq is going to be death.

[SPURSGOAT]

I think you'd have to give the best offseason to the Spurs. Especially when you include the draft.

1A) Spurs
1B) Cavs
2) Dallas
3) Orlando

LA only kept Odom and swapped Ariza for Artest. That isn't that great at all. Plus, factor in the thing was an ugly mess, and it's even less impressive.

:tu

[urunobili]

Glad there won't be any excuses... :wakeup

[Culburn369]

l m a o


:toast

[KSeal]

Glad there won't be any excuses... :wakeup

I'm sure we'll find something :lol

[iggypop123]

laker fans are going to get drunk cause its finally over. and the rest of the nba will get drunk because miami failed them

[picc84]

Odom was basically the same in 08 and 09. Different #'s but thats a result of Bynum being back and the lineups and minutes shifting accordingly.

The only time Odom looked substantially better than his average were games 2 and 5 of the finals. Other than that he was just LO. There were times during the season we wanted him traded - just like every other season. :lol

Only player who tricked us during his contract year was Vujacic. I'm still hoping he can come back strong though.

[picc84]

Well he was coming off the bench this year because of Bynum and Pau. Thats why the #'s were different - his role changed.

Play-wise, #'s aside, he was the same player.

[picc84]

By that I mean he seems like someone who could get his big pay day, hit his 30s and fall off. Look at Antone Walker. When he got his big contract he got fat and fell off the map. He was a great player in his younger days, but he ate his way out of the leauge because he didn't feel like staying in shape with money coming to him.

Kobe and Fish wont allow it.

[KSeal]

Good news

I prefer to destroy the Lakers with Odom on the team; at least Laker trolls won't have any excuse

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/ominousinane/oscy89.jpg

[Def Rowe]

By that I mean he seems like someone who could get his big pay day, hit his 30s and fall off. Look at Antone Walker. When he got his big contract he got fat and fell off the map. He was a great player in his younger days, but he ate his way out of the leauge because he didn't feel like staying in shape with money coming to him.

Odom's dad is tall and thin. I don't think it's in the genes like Antoine Walker. I doubt LO will pull a Darius Miles.

[IronMexican]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/ominousinane/oscy89.jpg

rofl

[Trainwreck2100]

hollinger broke this?

[Trainwreck2100]

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e52/ominousinane/oscy89.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5123/798383fire300.jpg

Happy laker fan is happy

[iggypop123]

these damn u mad things are getting good.

[KSeal]

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5123/798383fire300.jpg

Happy laker fan is happy

Those idiots give a bad rep to all Laker fans, they're pathetic.

City of LA may not exist in a few years due to all the Laker championships to come.

[BeeGee]

We're ready now. Spurs fans can keep pipe dreaming that Artest is somehow a downgrade from Ariza...Spurs fans can keep pipe dreaming that Odom is gone...Spurs fans can keep pipe dreaming on Manu's busted ass leg or Timmy's knickknack pussy injuries...Spurs fans can keep convincing themselves that Theo Ratliff is gonna block 3 shots a game, lmao...Spurs fans can keep convincing themselves that Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess are the answer....

No matter what you muhfuggaz do...
You still have to play us...

And we're ready...
Full strength...
Tougher...
Stronger...
Just as deep...

Come Get some. And bring a fuckin lunch. Leave the excuses at the Alamo and throw the laughable claims of being a dynasty in the fuckin riverwalk.

Your number is up...again. :lobt:

[jb4g]

good god, you would think this Lakers team is the greatest to ever step foot on an NBA court by reading some of these posts. Beat a healthy Boston and SA next year and then we'll talk. You can gloat about this years ring, but dont automatically assume next year is in the bag.

As I said earlier..Lakers and Spurs....09 WCF....lets do this shit.