Odom Leaning Towards Heat

[Allanon]

It's a business. There's no reason for Odom to take less guaranteed money and stay with the Lakers. Buss is far richer than Odom.

And on Buss' side, if he doesn't want to pay, he doesn't have to.

[bostonguy]

I'd love to face the Celtics, but I dont think they will be there to face us.

Im confused. First you tell me you expect us to win the east now you dont see us winning it? Im confused.

[Dunc n Dave]

Lakaluva and DrHouse are officially on suicide watch waiting for the "official word"...

[Killakobe81]

I got no problem admitting the Celtics are ahead of us. Injuries are a component of any season or series. There is no shame in copping one while Garnett was shelved. Can we take them now with a tougher Gasol for us and no Powe for them? Honestly I ain't convinced. Rondo is very lethal & is sharp as a serpent's tooth. He more than any Celtic scares the bejeesus out of me. It's: Rondo, Perkins, Garnett. Their particular impact on the Lakers is considerable.

Disagree with this ...it's the BIG 3 and Perk that are Laker killers ...KG is too quick for Gasol/Bynum and too big for Odom. Pierce has been a notorious Laker killer (being from LA that is no surprise). Then Ray gets up for Kobe they have been rivals for years.Rondo is the weaklink out of their starters. Great talent but shaky jumper allows us to crowd paint which plays in to our defensive scheme ...Rondo killed the Bulls in last years playoffs but we ARE MUCH better than those Bulls

[Culburn369]

I'd love to face the Celtics, but I dont think they will be there to face us.

I know what you mean, Luva. In the immediate aftermath of the Finals a month ago I wanted the same thing...but, the memories of '08 have edged back in and overwhelmed the good mems of the Lakers/Magic. Now I'm all doubting us again. I fear Perkins and KG, and I think Gasol and Bynum fear them too. And Kobe did not show up in '08. He'd bust a move to get around his guy, then think twice and lift up for a 20 footer. I just don't know, Luva. I'm full of doubt. I wish I had your confidence.

[bostonguy]

Now I heard on Lakersground.net that the Odom leaning toward Miami report is bs. God this story is flip flopping so much.

[Ghazi]

Cmon luva , Odom was an important piece of the Lakers. not an easily replaceable piece like Ariza. His +/- was 3rd highest in league... and while he was inconsistent, people always mention how hes an "x-factor" for Lakers and when he plays well they shift to an unbeatable gear... thats important.

that being said, without Odom the Lakers may still be the best team in the West... but not in the NBA IMO.

Also, people make out as if Odom was indisputably the Lakers 3rd best player... before his injury, bynum was playing like the 3rd best player on the Lakers IMO.

[Culburn369]

Then Ray gets up for Kobe they have been rivals for years

Yes, Killa, yes.

And the bas (Allen) then rolls over for everyone else.

These are bad mems piling up all the sudden. I'm gonna go lay down and watch TV.

[Dunc n Dave]

Cmon luva , Odom was an important piece of the Lakers. not an easily replaceable piece like Ariza. His +/- was 3rd highest in league... and while he was inconsistent, people always mention how hes an "x-factor" for Lakers and when he plays well they shift to an unbeatable gear... thats important.

that being said, without Odom the Lakers may still be the best team in the West... but not in the NBA IMO.

Also, people make out as if Odom was indisputably the Lakers 3rd best player... before his injury, bynum was playing like the 3rd best player on the Lakers IMO.

IN THE PLAYOFFS (which is the only games that matter) Odom WAS the Lakers 3rd best player. Bynum couldn't handle the pressure.

Heck, some games Odom was the 2nd best player for the Lakers.

[Killakobe81]

I would agree if Odom is not resigned I would say Celts are faves, Spurs are second Lakers would be 3rd going in to the season. We would need a healthy pre-injury Bynum to change that and a return to pre-contract year Sasha and a contract year performance from Farmar for me to feel differently.

[Dunc n Dave]

Yes, Killa, yes.

And the bas (Allen) then rolls over for everyone else.

These are bad mems piling up all the sudden. I'm gonna go lay down and watch TV.

Ray gets up for the Spurs too. He and Bowen are "real close friends."

[Thompson]

There's a thread in the Spurs forum that Gooden is going to Dallas. That's one less free agent the Lakers could use to soften the blow of losing Odom (assuming he leaves, which is still probably unlikely).

[Killakobe81]

IN THE PLAYOFFS (which is the only games that matter) Odom WAS the Lakers 3rd best player. Bynum couldn't handle the pressure.

Heck, some games Odom was the 2nd best player for the Lakers.

I agree but that IS part of the problem with Odom sometimes he is our 2nd best other times he is no better than 5th ....I want him back even at 9-10 million but i agree the years are a concern because I'm not sure his game will age well. He is not a great, shooter or post player or defender but he does all reasonably well and is also a great passer and leader so I would pay for 4 more years at most ...

[Killakobe81]

Ray gets up for the Spurs too. He and Bowen are "real close friends."

I remember Bruce has that effect on people ...one thing you have to admit Spur fan that Kobe took Bowens tactics better than anyone. He always has been compliomentary of Bowen EXCEPT when people have called him a "kobe Stopper" Kobe hates that ...

[Knoxxx]

Bynum may get better, but Lakers - Ariza - Odom + Artest is a thinner and weaker roster and will not be the favorites heading into 2009-10 by other than Laker homers.

[Mr. Body]

It's a business. There's no reason for Odom to take less guaranteed money and stay with the Lakers. Buss is far richer than Odom.

And on Buss' side, if he doesn't want to pay, he doesn't have to.

Congratulations. I think you just made Mensa.

[Dunc n Dave]

Culburn, STFU got. You're the lowest form of life when it comes to sports fandom:

1. You were a fan of the Suns for all these years when they got stomped by LA, Houston, SA and the other elites of the conference over the past 2 decades.

2. You were so pathetically whiny that the Suns fanbase (which is whiny and laughably small in the first place) booted your ass off of the Suns forums

3. You then proceed to turn around and fellate the Lakers, the franchise that bent your Suns over time and time again.

4. When the Suns actually beat the Kobe Lakers 2 years in a row, you hid like a and didn't post on any boards

5. Now when the Lakers are finally champs, you crawl out of your hole and proceed to claim to have been a Laker fan through all their storied history.

You are like the rape victim who went back and offered a free blowjob to your rapist because you couldn't get laid.

You will henceforth be known as "Laker " on these boards

[KidCongo]

Are you serious? Even after seeing the Lakers end the C's 12 and 19 game win streaks, you still fear these guys. I'm positive the fear factor is over. We took our whooping in 08, and came back determined to beat the Celtics in 09, and the games we played against them in the season led me to believe that we would have beat them in the playoffs too. I welcome another go at these guys.

What happens when Artest gets ejected for getting PP's face? You'll only have Pau and Kobe.

[KidCongo]

If he was a Laker, he would not have gotten ejected. You know better.

He will in the Garden.

[Dunc n Dave]

I remember Bruce has that effect on people ...one thing you have to admit Spur fan that Kobe took Bowens tactics better than anyone. He always has been compliomentary of Bowen EXCEPT when people have called him a "kobe Stopper" Kobe hates that ...

I gotta give Kobe credit. He never ed to the media about Bowen, and always named Bowen as one of the toughest guys to play against. Both he and Bowen just went at each other every night with Kobe getting the better of him MOST nights, but Bruce had his moments.

I'll never forget the game Bowen made like 7 threes and was the leading scorer for the Spurs vs. the Lakers. Bruce leading the team in scoring only happens once in a blue moon. Figures it was against the Lakers.

[Cry Havoc]

I gotta love that fans of a franchise formerly called "Showtime", consisting of such players as Shaq, Kobe, Vlade Divac, etc., and sitting in the shadow of the actors/actresses capital of the world, are whining about one of their players being a drama queen, and proclaiming they hate him for it.

Have you guys EVER looked at your franchise's history before?



Mmmm, mmmm, yes yes, your anguish sustains me.

[Cry Havoc]

and counting...

And that's why this ENTIRE board of non-Lakers fans is laughing at you.

You guys win a championship, and STILL find ways to like miserable little lawn gnomes who are sitting on the lawn of one of the most fantastically huge mansions in the world, but get pissy cause it's raining.



Every other fanbase in the NBA would trade places with you last season, yet you're acting like the - who's been locked in a padded room while trying to quit his cocaine addiction.

So yes. You guys have all the room in the world to talk to other teams in the league. What amazes me is instead of reveling in a championship, you're busy denigrating the 3rd best player on your roster from last season.

It's amazing to watch this kind of a meltdown. Lakers fans are easily the most insecure in the NBA. You guys have a complex that would make Bonaparte look like a natural, healthy, well-adjusted adult.

[HarlemHeat37]

These Spurs vs. Lakers threads are becoming annoying..they get derailed in like 5 posts..

[Baseline]

I know what you mean, Luva. In the immediate aftermath of the Finals a month ago I wanted the same thing...but, the memories of '08 have edged back in and overwhelmed the good mems of the Lakers/Magic. Now I'm all doubting us again. I fear Perkins and KG, and I think Gasol and Bynum fear them too. And Kobe did not show up in '08. He'd bust a move to get around his guy, then think twice and lift up for a 20 footer. I just don't know, Luva. I'm full of doubt. I wish I had your confidence.

Culburn, believeme, I greatly appreciate the fact that you are the only Laker fan in existent who looks at things with any semblance of realism. I live in LA, and I can assure you that it is a rarity. And I agree that a healthy Celts team last year would have beaten the Lakers.

However, don't you think your main concern for this coming year should be the Spurs?

[redzero]

Lamar is a smart man. Who needs championships?