Really, there aren't many other storylines of import
Which is why Lamar Odom continues to dominate purple and gold headlines. Sunday, before coming off the bench in L.A.'s exhibition win against the Kings in Vegas baby!, LO told the media that if his role is indeed that of a sixth man - and it isn't yet - he's on board:
"You only get one or two shots at this, you know what I'm saying?" Odom said. "Some guys might not be able to take it well, especially in their contract year. Whatever, I'm good. I've made enough. I'm OK. My family's good. Hopefully, I can win a championship this year, and be rewarded for it."
Odom noted his agent probably wouldn't like the move, and it's pretty clear that given a choice he'd certainly pick a starting role (who wouldn't?), but the point he was making is clear: If Phil Jackson decides to make him a reserve, LO won't cause trouble. As for his spotty play early on in the fake game season, Kobe certainly isn't worried.
Meanwhile, Andrew Bynum is coming along, feels comfortable and understands what the Lakers want from him this year.
Back to LO for a minute: I've written this before, and I'll continue to write it. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, if Odom is to be a 30-35 minute player, getting starters minutes in a reserve role, than the basic issues of how he'll fit in with the two tall trees up front or with the other starters in the backcourt need to be resolved. The "supersub" role means he'll be on the floor in the fourth quarter and for important stretches with the first unit (or most of it, at least) in the opening half. It's not simply a matter of captaining the second unit. That's a 20 minute a night role, and in my estimation a waste of LO's talents.
PJ has said his lineup experimentation will continue right up until the start of the regular season, but in reality it could go beyond that. I don't think the Lakers will operate like a well oiled machine in the first few weeks of November. But while those games certainly matter, we all know that it matters less how teams play early, but what they look like heading into the playoffs. This team, from the players to the coaching staff, know they're sitting on something good. The key is to maximize it, which could take time.
There are a lot of ways to set things up, to plug in a guy like Odom, to best take advantage of each small forward's skill set. It's very positive to hear LO say publicly that he's on board with whatever Jackson decides to do. For that matter, everyone is saying the right things. PJ has a tough task ahead of him in trying to figure out how best to dole out the PT, but the active cooperation of his players will make it easier, for sure.
I'm still of the opinion that everything will be fine. Time tends to work these things out better than anything. GIve talented players pulling in the same direction enough time to build some chemistry, and good things will happen. I still believe LO can play on the same court as Bynum and Gasol, I still believe that combination can give the Lakers something incredibly unique in recent NBA history.
BK
Snort Oink sez:
"I am not a Butler fan. I don't think that he runs the show."
I disagree!
Posted by: BUTLER | October 14, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Do purple and gold fans bleed Dodger blues with our unseemingly lost last night. It deflated the Laker/Dodger tandem of bringing the best out of LA.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | October 14, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Mediocre-Adequate or acceptable, but not very good.
Derek Fisher is not a mediocre player. Derek Fisher is above average in shooting, playing defense, running an offense, leadership, and strength (mental and physical).
I'd say it's an insult to say Derek Fisher is a mediocre basketball player. He's not.
Posted by: Rocky | October 14, 2008 at 10:42 AM
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I agree with you Rocky.
Posted by: JustaLakerFan | October 14, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Butler:
I watched the suns.
At least the laker fans only have to worry about cohesiveness but your suns:
Gorklan (or whatever he's called) Dragic: makes coby karl look like Manu Ginobili. I could say this guy could gonna be the biggest bust ever if anybody outside of phoenix knew who he was.
grant hill: have you ever wondered why this guy ended up in phoenix?, because he's just retirement bound material.
matt barnes: hahahaha your biggest acquisition and the guy who's gonna make you better is Mr. Always Been in Some Crappy team's Dog House.
Lopez: the same guy who can't finish a miserable mini hook 2 feet away from the basket while being defended by JR Smith and who looked like a complete 7 foot stiff while going up against 6-8, 6-9 college guys at Stanford... good luck with that.
Amunson: are the suns so desperate that now have to hire shemales?
Shaq: who didn't even have the decency to fake interest on at least staying in shape like he did his first 2 summers in miami.
Please stop bothering, there is no RIVALRY, you're just a "King's fan" Du Jour. the suns beat the lakers when LA had its worst team in franchise history and the suns even had to go to extremes in order to accomplish that.
there's the Celtics rivalry and that's pretty much it, you're dreaming if you think that a team that has gone once to the finals has a rivalry with the lakers. And Shaq already is a has been, not even ABC is interested in putting a Xmas game of him versus Kobe.
Posted by: David | October 14, 2008 at 04:32 PM
David sez:
"Butler:
I watched the suns."
Who couldn't watch the most entertaining team in the NBA? Laker fans had to have something of interest to gaze upon the last few years. Consider yourself blessed to be in the Steve Nash era.
Posted by: | October 14, 2008 at 05:22 PM