Odom Leaning Towards Heat

[TheMACHINE]

im surprised noone mentioned the luxary tax. Buss will pretty much will pay 20 mill if Odom agrees for a 10 million a year contract.

Also...its a big blow if he leaves, but nothin a team with Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant, and Pau Gasol cant handle. And you guys know, the lakers....we'll call Stern and prob get Tony parker in a mid year trade.

[montgod]

Even though I hate it when players play these type of games, I understand they are just trying to take care of themselves just like the owners are doing the same for themselves.

I will say that if Odom does accept a deal from the Heat, he would easily be more marketable for a final contract than if he were to stay with the Lakers because he would be a starter with more exposure.

In the end, a contract is usually based on your performance and Odom and his agent probably realize that if they can't get what they want now, they will have a hard time down the road especially when he is coming of the bench and not getting any younger.

[TheMACHINE]

cant reallly blame Buss or Odom...they just need to compromise somewhere in between

[Culburn369]

In the end, a contract is usually based on your performance and Odom and his agent probably realize that if they can't get what they want now, they will have a hard time down the road especially when he is coming of the bench and not getting any younger.

& the [bench designation] has probably begun to irritate Odom. During the heat of the long season and playoffs Jackson's request of Odom was an honorable if not a courageous act, but, now that's its quiet again and the the contract years stretch out before him...getting paid for bench duty when everybody + that 700lb elephant in the corner (Warlord's mother) agrees that Odom should be paid starter money. Odom is reticient to sign on the line which is dotted.

[montgod]

The only problem is that your front cournt depth is terrible at the moment. When it is time for Bynum and Gasol to take a break Josh Powel and Mbenga will come in. Phil is likely to get a little creative this season if Odom leaves. Perhaps they'll bring Gasol off the bench and play a lot of small ball.

If Odom doesn't return, there will definitely be another addition like maybe a Diogu, Gooden (if he is still available), JSmith, or whoever for the bench. I don't see them benching Gasol, they will just time it for when the other team's bench players come in.

[Kai]

You know if the Rockets would have used their injury exception on Odom (worth up to 50% of Yao's salary), we could have had Ariza for the MLE and Odom for the injury exception (worth up to about $8.5 mil ). I don't know if it'd be smart, but just saying.

[montgod]

You know if the Rockets would have used their injury exception on Odom (worth up to 50% of Yao's salary), we could have had Ariza for the MLE and Odom for the injury exception (worth up to about $8.5 mil ). I don't know if it'd be smart, but just saying.

Odom wouldn't have gone to Houston imo. He still wants to win and be in an attractive or familiar environment. Miami fits the bill for this with Wade on board and possibly getting a player like Boozer. Houston would have a logjam at the 3 and 4 with Odom, Scola, and Ariza. And none of these players would want to come off the bench at this point in their respective careers.

[Kai]

Odom wouldn't have gone to Houston imo. He still wants to win and be in an attractive or familiar environment. Miami fits the bill for this with Wade on board and possibly getting a player like Boozer. Houston would have a logjam at the 3 and 4 with Odom, Scola, and Ariza. And none of these players would want to come off the bench at this point in their respective careers.

I'm pretty sure Scola would be fine coming off the bench.

[montgod]

With what money? Maybe Joe Smith comes for the min, but Diogu and Gooden will likely get better offers.

I don't see them getting more than the minimum in this economy honestly. Diogu will probably stay where he is since there won't be a significant offer given to him that wouldn't be matched. Gooden and J Smith will definitely get minimum vet offers or close to it like Rasho, Daniels, Wilcox, Oberto, etc.

[Gino]

I'd take Joe. You guys are going to be so shocked at how we wont miss Odom.

Its pointless to argue because, as I said, Odom will resign with the Lakers.

However, the way you overlook how important Odom was to winning a championship last year is ridiculous.

Not only does he allow the Lakers to stay big when Bynum inevitably gets into foul trouble, but he's also the Lakers best rebounder and the guys who always seems to be in the right place at the right time to make BIG plays.

[Mel_13]

You know if the Rockets would have used their injury exception on Odom (worth up to 50% of Yao's salary), we could have had Ariza for the MLE and Odom for the injury exception (worth up to about $8.5 mil ). I don't know if it'd be smart, but just saying.

Nice try, but the disabled player exception is limited to 50% of the injured player's salary or to the average salary, whichever is less. So the Rockets were limited to an offer equal to the MLE.

[montgod]

I'm pretty sure Scola would be fine coming off the bench.

I highly doubt that since I believe this is his contract year. Then again, there were rumors about Utah trying to pry him away for a Boozer type trade. I doubt it happens... but if it were, I would think Ariza would be going to the bench or playing the 2 depending on who else was traded along with Scola for Boozer.

[montgod]

There will be no winning in Miami no time soon. Even with Odumb and Boozer, the Heat will not get past the C's, Magic, or the Cavs. Odumb's best chance at winning is to eat some crow, and stay put for a guaranteed repeat.

Maybe not, but they will win more than Houston will next year. And you have to remember, NBA players are ego maniacs. Odom probably believes that he coming alone creates an opportunity to be successful in the East. Who knows... with him, Wade, and Boozer, I wouldn't totally count them out, but they would have a VERY tough hill to climb in beating the teams you mentioned. This is also based on the premise that the teams mentioned are actually healthy come playoff time. Everyone thought it would be a Celts-Lakers final last year, but an injury to Garnett stopped that talk quickly.

[Culburn369]

Everyone thought it would be a Celts-Lakers final, but an injury to Garnett stopped that talk quickly.

Thank, Christ! I was in no mood to see Garnett & Perkins beating the living daylights out of us again.

[Spursmania]

Man, I hadn't been checking out any of the Odom threads lately. I thought going to LA was a done deal when some inside source reported a telephone conversation between Odom and Buss. LMAO...the drama continues.

[montgod]

Thank, Christ! I was in no mood to see Garnett & Perkins beating the living daylights out of us again.

I am glad one Lakers fan admits that if they had played the Celts fully healthy in the finals that the outcome might not have come out the same. That's the name of the game though in staying healthy. I say the same about my Spurs vs. the Lakers the year before when Manu was hurt. Who knows what could have been w/a fully healthy Manu. Anyways... back to the present.

[montgod]

I understand your reason for wanting Odumb to leave, but you are being way too optimistic. The Heat are a long way from making any noise.

Well we each have our own opinion. The playoffs have always been pretty wide open especially with injuries being part of the game. If Garnett or Pierce, Howard or Lewis, or Lebron gets injured, who do you think will come out of the East if Odom, Boozer, and Wade are on the same team? The Heat and possibly the Raptors would be the best teams remaining in the East. Of course, the injuries I mentioned are a total worse case scenario and aren't realistic but you never know. Series matchups and such can make the obvious not so obvious. Look at the Cavs and how they were upset because they couldn't defend the Magic.

Even still, Odom's choice wouldn't be soley based on winning, but how it would best suit him as far as the rest of his career and money. If he accepts a bench role, he wants a long term deal now. If he is a starter, he can have an opt out clause and possibly make a last effort for a final contract before he calls it quits.

[Culburn369]

I am glad one Lakers fan admits that if they had played the Celts fully healthy in the finals that the outcome might not have come out the same. That's the name of the game though in staying healthy. I say the same about my Spurs vs. the Lakers the year before when Manu was hurt. Who knows what could have been w/a fully healthy Manu. Anyways... back to the present.

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.

[iggypop123]

I am glad one Lakers fan admits that if they had played the Celts fully healthy in the finals that the outcome might not have come out the same. That's the name of the game though in staying healthy. I say the same about my Spurs vs. the Lakers the year before when Manu was hurt. Who knows what could have been w/a fully healthy Manu. Anyways... back to the present.

in the 8 games we have played against the celtics we have only been at full strength once. and guess what we won. i think it makes a difference

[Mr. Body]

I may not like the Lakers, but an Odom/Ariza/Gasol or an Odom/Gasol/Bynum front court could go up against any front court in NBA history.

Great post, but this is plain crazy. Maybe they could go up against McHale-Bird-Parrish or the Kareem and Worthy front lines of the 80s, but they'd get their asses handed to 'em. Even the old Robinson-Duncan-Elliott lineups would smack them around something silly.

[Mr. Body]

Not to mention, the Celtics '08 front line embarrassed them. Even Leon Powe mouth raped them.

[wijayas]

if we lose odom, there is no way we are repeating next year

Don't sell the Lakers short. Artest's presence is good enough to make up for the loss of Odom. The Lakers is still the team to beat.

[Culburn369]

Not to mention, the Celtics '08 front line embarrassed them. Even Leon Powe mouth raped them.

Like a drum they beat us...& Powe showed the least mercy, followed closely by Perkins. And they repeatedly took shots at us on dead balls to intimidate us and obviously it worked. They abused Turiaf and he just grinned. Oh, it was just awful. Gasol quit, threw up his hands and went squawking to the refs. He has learned some lessons since then, but, we have not been back "there" yet. Orlando was no test. It was a gimme. Aint' no shame in takin' the gimmes, as long as your recognize it for what it is.

I just as soon not have to face that test of the Celtics again, (I'd prefer Cleveland if I had my druthers) but, if it comes to that (Celtics) we shall see.

[Culburn369]

Don't sell the Lakers short. Artest's presence is good enough to make up for the loss of Odom. The Lakers is still the team to beat.

Yes, they are the team to beat, but, is Artest going to show up in Los Angeles like he always did when in the oppoent's uniform, or, will he show up in Lakers garb like Mitch Richmond, Tracy Murray,,,,oh, , every f'in hotshot the last 10 years save Glenn Rice?

Artest would many times take the game off before his team played the Lakers so he could have his A Game on tap. That's a character flaw, no two ways about it and its a concern.

[bostonguy]

I hope this soap opera ends soon. It is kinda dragging. Im ready for some closure.