Lakers forward Lamar Odom compares Samsung to his game in commercial
Lakers forward Lamar Odom recently joked that even his injured left shoulder wouldn't inhibit him from shooting another commercial. It actually wouldn't be surprising, considering Odom has appeared in three commercials the past two months, beginning with the Taco Bell Super Bowl ad, the Power Bar commercial that Odom acknowledged as "corny" and most recently an appearance promoting Samsung (and possibly these commercials in the future).
I wouldn't put it past him. After all, Odom's played 15 games since injuring his left shoulder. His effort Sunday in the Lakers' 99-92 victory over Washington may not have been the Odom's prettiest offensively, but he showed amazing resilience and contributed on the glass. As Odom reminds us in the commercial below: "I know a little something about fast connections and screens, 'cause that's my game."
-- Mark Medina
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Everyone wants this team to look and act more like last years team. Last year, the team had a collective chip on it's shoulder. It's reaaly hard to re-create that type of feeling when you're the defending champs.
That's not to excuse lackadasical play, it's just to underscore the differences in our mind set and theirs. Kobe said it best in the middle of the Playoffs last year, "We're bi-polar." It's taken me awhile to accept that as being more true than not.
Ron and Kobe are probably the hungriest two guys on the team. Farmar is looking for a pay day. Brown, too. Sasha is buried even though he seems like he's coming on a bit recently. Powell and Mbenga are blue collar hustlers, but they don't have the impact on the team psyche that, say, a healthy Luke Walton does. Fisher looks like he's losing steam. His shots are short, consistently and his defense is actually worse this year.
All of these little things add up to a lot of weight for a team to carry when it's focus should be on figuring out why the sets on offense are so stagnant, why the defense is inclined to take possessions (or quarters and halves for that matter) off.
Basically, Phil has to get up off that comfy chair and bend some ears.
Posted by: Jamie Sweet | March 22, 2010 at 12:10 PM
LAKER TRUTH
thanks. actually i will say that other writers speak about Kobe with reverence? same with the commentators. and they respect the FEAR and TERROR he can instill on the game.
funny how the young player called Young said that it was the first time he experienced Kobe in person. a lifetime impression that will shake his shorts next time around.
that's why i consider the "facilitator" role stupid, especially at the beginning of the game. KILL the opponents with the first few shots and bring back the memory of a LOST cause. and yes, even the coaches r preparing the teams for that. each team relaxes seeing that the wealth is distributed around and they start to get confident. big mistake. maybe TEAM ball is PRETTY but not EFFICIENT for the final result. and if i remember correctly the games r played for W or L not for beauty points.
the wounds have to be deep and fatal. not scratches on the surface. they heal at the halftime. that's why even scrub teams get confident as the game goes on. they know that there is no tsunami. just some thunder and lighting. no rain.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 22, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Jamie Sweet -
I think you're spot on. What I would do to be a fly in the room when ears and egos get bent out of shape during one of those talks...
Posted by: Caliphilosopher | March 22, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Ouchh,
The formula for the past two years was for Kobe to be aggresive and force the double/triple teams. Once the help came, Kobe would punish the doubles with his passing, leaving his teammates to operate 4 on 3 (or sometimes 2). I see NO reason to change this winning formula.
JSweet,
Nice summary (except for the Luke reference).
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | March 22, 2010 at 01:15 PM
Jordan and Shannon are pathetic on that court together. The offense lacks spacing and is discombobulated..They both dogg the ball and Jordan rarely looks to make plays for other and when he seemingly tries, its questionable. For instance, setting up Mbenga for an iso in the post and that is not his game really, back to the basket or whatever! He takes too long to decide what he's gonna do, giving the defense a chance to react and stuff down the play, and we end up with some ugly, busted ass play that shouldn't never had been. That's Jordans fault for putting Mbenga in that position. I have to believe we are not running any plays for him when he's in there -- if he gets a bucket it should be something where he's cleaning up around the basket, a wide open 10-12 footer or whatever! Crazy..Which brings me to this.
I saw something on Hoopsworld I think the other day, something about Peja and Collison in trade talks. Don't know if its true but I wouldn't mind having him, ship him and Peja to us for Jordan and Luke ..I know, I know, we are stuck with Luke..But one can dream..Anyway, that's my 2 cents for the day.
Love them Lakers!
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | March 22, 2010 at 01:18 PM
Cali
i wrote u a long post and i lost it when i pushed post. forgot to copy. will get back with info
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 22, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Jamie & Lakersrydeordie,
Finally, you too are coming to the realization of our inherent weakness in the point, you don't know whom to pick fisher, farmar or brown - they are not apt to what opponents have. I'm always using the NCAA as my rear view mirror, there are plenty of guards there who can facilitate, shoot and defend. Well, with the Lakes we're stuck with the three. It is our weakest link. If you mix them with the pure bench like Mbenga and Powell, in two minutes time, the lead cut by 10 pts. It is pathetic and has been happening since November and Mitch K. chose not to do anything. We all have to live with the inconsistencies and bite the bullet for 48 minutes.
Luke is a good facilitator, makes good decisions with the ball but a big handicap in all other areas. Biggest mistake in re-signing him for 6 years and there are three more years to live by with that pinch nerve or slow foot speed. How much is Jerry Buss paying these guys: Fish 5 ; Sasha 5.0; Ammo 5.25, Luke 4.8; Farmar 2; Brown 2 Total of 24M Can you not make that money work for the Lakers by dropping all of them and get the best D'League and Euro league players young, fast, good shooters, healthy, excitable to work for minimum as long as they have a chance to get a ring with Kobe? Chances, you will have the same effectiveness if not better with that cheaper route.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | March 22, 2010 at 01:48 PM
lakersrydeordie
the irony is that after 20 sec of dribbling they get stock and they pass TO EACH OTHER. lol
if Lakers don't pick up Farmar, he will be another journeyman like Mo evans, UPS and others. riding the pine. no playing time. DNP-coach decision.
but hey, we have the TRIANGLE: equal opportunity. Larry Brown can be iffy. but he likes to develop players. but nothing to develop about UPS. no skills. just hops. Larry did not care about the dunk of the night or maybe some spectacular block. no hollywood. only blue collar. UPS can't make a decision even if you give him 2 min. of course he can take a shot. anyone can make that decision.
the bad part about both of them is that they can't pass the ball without at least taking one-two dribbles. that is enough time for the defense to re-set and the open shooter to lose the opportunity to take an uncontested shot. all the ball movement becomes futile and is back to square one. but no time on the clock.
Posted by: ouchhhhhhhhh | March 22, 2010 at 01:52 PM
Not a grea commercial, but I'm glad Lamar's making money.
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | March 22, 2010 at 07:35 PM