In what seems like an NBA minute, Lamar Odom has gone from throwing elbows at the Dallas Mavericks to possibly throwing a champagne, championship party with them next season. After almost joining Pau Gasol in a ‘Sternly’ nixed package deal that would have brought Chris Paul to Lakerland, Lamar Odom is now taking his understandably hurt feelings and his Kardashian down to Texas.
Sure the former Laker champion will have to watch the team that swept him receive their championship rings to begin his Christmas Day and new season but still, the Lakers loss looks like Dallas and their new Mavericks’ gain.
After a horrible end to a disappointing season the bright lights of L.A. didn’t have many bright spots in their 2010-2011 defending champion year. Except, of course, for the consistency of Lamar Odom and his own victorious ‘Sixth Man of the Year’ award. It has been clear for many years that this microwave, bench warmer deserves more credit, and it’s almost a given that he’ll be an All-Star in due time. It’s the next logical step. The Hollywood smooth, reality star, big-game, big-name sharer already has star power to go with some strong fundamentals.
Sure calling Lamar Odom one of the greatest players in the league is a bit of a hater-ready overstatement, but he sure is one of the greatest talents this league has to offer and a one of a kind player. Put it this way, coming off the bench he was the Lakers ace in the hole. They should have never dealt one of their best hands. To put it another way, you don’t deal the leagues most versatile player to its most versatile team. Especially when that team is one that swept and knocked you out of championship contention. Now not only do the new NBA champions have Larry O’Brien on their side, they also have a motivated, angry Lamar Odom on their side. You can call this a rivalry now, and take a guess as to who has the advantage.
This is more potent a power move then when the Lakers looked to keep their enemies closer by signing Dallas’ bench hot-rod J.J. Barea. The Lamar Odom move actually happened and is more of a big-name, big-game changer. Like James Worthy, Jaamal Wilkes and other smooth, versatile big-forwards before him, Lamar Odom will always go down as a Laker champion and great. Regardless, it is an awful shame his legacy was cut short. Now as L.O. looks to continue his champagne campaign via American Airlines, the Lakers can’t help but feel grounded by losing one of their brightest and best personalities and players.
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