Bleacher Report: Losing Lamar won't hurt the Lakers
From the Bleacher Report:
All the pundits and fans are wringing out their crying towels. Oh, what a tragedy if the Lakers lose Lamar Odom. What a terrible deal it amounts to! Odom and Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest.
"It’s just not worth it," they cry. You lose two and get only one in return. But that one player that you get is worth the other two. Why? Because he WANTS to be a Laker. And he doesn’t care about the money.
The other two just wanted their egos stroked. Show me how important I am to this team by putting out some extra loot.
Well, I’m glad Jerry Buss showed Ariza and Odom how important they were. He let Ariza go without a second thought and brought in Artest. He also pulled the offer to Odom, who showed his appreciation by actually considering offers from other teams worth far less money.
Buss proved once again that no one is going to hold him hostage even if he has to break up the team. He did it back in 2004 and he will do it again if he has to. And good for him.
So, the pundits cry out all the more. If the Lakers lose Odom now, they get absolutely nothing for him. They could have traded him last year and gotten something. Well, they didn’t trade him, and the Lakers got something — their 15th NBA Championship. Look at it this way, Laker fans — Jerry Buss and the Lakers rented Lamar Odom for one year for $14 million in order to win the title.
But all that Ariza bought himself with an extended contract was five long years with a non-contender instead of three years with a team that competes for the title every year.
And what do you think Odom will be buying himself in Miami? Even if the Heat can add Carlos Boozer, so what? Dwyane Wade, Carlos Boozer, and Lamar Odom will still be only the fourth or fifth best team in the East.
The Heat may make it through the first round of the playoffs, but that’s it. They are no match for Orlando, Boston, or Cleveland.
As for the Lakers, they will still be the top dogs in the West even without Odom. Andrew Bynum will come back stronger. Artest is a competitor and does some of the things that both Ariza and Odom did. And there’s still Derek Fisher, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant.
Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic had off years. If either one of them regains their competitive form, the Lakers will be stronger. Adam Morrison has looked good in the Summer League and could give the Lakers bench an added lift.
Also, trust Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak to come up with a free agent like a Chris Wilcox who can give Artest and Gasol some added relief.
I don’t think Buss will put the same offer back on the table. Odom, who has been so inconsistent over the past four years even though he was making the big bucks, will have to take less money or walk.
But don’t worry, Laker fans. Unlike what you are being told in the media, the only loser here is Lamar Odom, not the Lakers. They will still be playing come next June.
-- Paul Peszko
Photo: Lamar Odom celebrates following the Lakers' championship victory over the Orlando Magic on June 14. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
That is ridiculous - even if they SIMPLY used Lamar as TRADE-BAIT!!! Lamar is invaluable to the Lakers! Could they still win without him? Possibly, but it certainly does hurt chances to do so!
Posted by: LakerMike | July 20, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Although it would be nice to resign Lamar, it's not a must! He should have taken Dr. Buss' money with a heart full of gratitutde. When will he EVER have the chance again to play for a defending World Champion like the Lakers?! In the meantime the Lakers can pick up another player who'd love to be a Laker for less money!
Posted by: Elia | July 20, 2009 at 12:39 PM
I disagree with everything you said. Losing Odom would hurt the Lakers and the Spurs and Blazers and Nugs will give the Lakers an even tougher time. Everyone is waiting for Bynum to "step it up" - but what we see is maybe what we get: foul trouble, injury prone, 10 pts 6 rebounds. And who will be the first person off the bench is either of those happen? you got it, Josh Powell or DJ Mbenga. That is where the Lakers will hurt the most. and Wilcox has already signed with the Pistons. If the Lakers don't re-sign Odom it won't mean they won't repeat, but the hurdle will be much, much harder.
Posted by: Toyo K | July 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM
First "honest" assement in the media I've heard !!! Good for you !!!!
Posted by: George Creed | July 20, 2009 at 12:42 PM
It will be hard for LA to sign Chris Wilcox since Detroit signed him yesterday.
Posted by: Eric | July 20, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Still doesnt make me feel better. but some good points were made. LA can probably get by the Spurs without odom, but can they beat boston or the cavs in the finals? i felt bad when ariza chose houston over LA, and will feel terrible for lamar, who is a great guy, when he is booted out of the playoffs by BOS, ORL, or CLE.
Posted by: Fake_Black Mamba | July 20, 2009 at 12:54 PM
hey if they don't wanna be here, let'em walk!! i agree with the point about ron artest...he WANTS to be here, how hard do u think he's gonna play!!
so let LO follow trevor to some 'quasi' playoff team...if they wanna go, i for one say, let'em!!
Posted by: DodgerLakerDieHardFan-UpstateNY | July 20, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I wish Kobe would step up as a leader and juts offer to take a pay cut so they can sign Lamar. After all another title means the most to him. Magic did this so the Lakers could keep Worthy. Kobe is greedy and selfish which might be OK as basketball is a business but he is not a leader. Step up Kobe.
Posted by: Old Fong | July 20, 2009 at 01:08 PM
A resurgent Miami team with Boozer and Odom can beat the Lakers. Wade is not Kobe, but he's not far off. And if you add those two guys to an already solid frontcourt, the Lakers, with Gasol and Artest cannot match.
Besides, the Magic aren't noobs anymore. They were not that far off from winning the games they lost.
Sorry Laker fans, enjoy your crown, y'all earned it, but it's going to be the last one for awhile. The East is back!
Posted by: odan urr | July 20, 2009 at 01:11 PM
you are a complete idiot if you think lamar odom and carlos boozer will only get the heat into the first round... if we added them both we are top 3 in the east... orlando isn't that great after losing turk, courtney lee, and rafer... yeah they got vince but well see how consistent he can be for them...
Posted by: Nick | July 20, 2009 at 01:30 PM
How does this guy get to post anything under a LA Times banner? This is the most poorly thought out sports article I've seen from a paper. Beyond not noticing that Wilcox was already signed by another team, the assumptions on Bynum are not justified.
Bynum has a horrible history of injuries (high school, and then a few bad ones in the NBA). While there is a ton of bad luck in these dings, it also has become obvious that the injuries are taking a lot out of his game. Re-signing Bynum for $14 million + a year was a massive mistake and it may cost them Odom. It is also not be coincidence that LA's best stretch of play during the regular season came with Bynum on the injury list (a win in Boston and a blowout win in Cleveland where Odom dominated on both ends). Beyond being a better rebounder than Bynum, Odom defends 3 positions and on offense can play 4 positions. That flexibility off the bench is amazing. Without him LA is only a slight favorite to win the West next year and would be significant underdogs verses Cleveland, Boston or possibly Orlando (if Orlando could lure Odom with a mid-level) in the finals. He is a crucial piece. This is especially the case should Bynum get injured again.
Posted by: Norm | July 20, 2009 at 01:44 PM
I hear what you're saying, all of you. But Odom can't be replaced, even if Bynum steps up this year. Lamar can handle the ball, play 4 positions, rebound, and defend. He's a good passer, has a mid range and 3 point shot, and is left handed. He's the best player in the league that isn't an all star. You do what it takes to resign him because we are clearly a better and more versatile team with him. Lakers were plus 16 points when he was on the floor, that's even more then Kobe. All the Laker players need to get together and call Odom or meet him somewhere in Los Angeles and resolve whatever is holding him back from resigning. This is the best situation and environment in which to work. I know cause I live in LA. A great team, a great city, great night life, Hollywood, and this is the best place to get endorsements. Odom, sale your house in Miami and buy a Condo or something.
Posted by: David the Doer | July 20, 2009 at 01:45 PM
last i remember lamar was on the team in 08 and we lost. Our team played smarter and harder and we won. not just lamar
Posted by: vman | July 20, 2009 at 02:01 PM
Losing Lamar won't hurt the Lakers? I beg to differ. Not only was Lamar an integral piece to the Lakers championship, along with Ariza. Lamar could very easily been named MVP of the Finals. Of course that would have never happened as long as Kobe laced up, regardless of stats. As for the Miami Heat being the 4th or 5th seed with Lamar, Boozer, and Wade, if you recall the season Lamar played with Wade they got as far as the Eastern Conference Championship... and that was with the young and inexperienced version of Wade and Lamar.
Posted by: Allen Fun | July 20, 2009 at 02:05 PM
I guess you write your stories 3 days before print, Wilcox has signed with Detroit, and I truly feel you're not to bright, that's just my opinion. First the Lakers will not, here me now, will not win the Western conference. Don't be fooled by last year run, without LO it will be very difficult to beat the spurs. Put your money on Bynum (The Great Pretenter) not a smart move.
Posted by: Lionel I. Hill | July 20, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I agree, we do love Lamar in LA, but seriously he needs us as much as we need him. He to me is a 75% player with 100% ability. I can not count on both hands how many lay-ups I watched him miss this year..countless unlucky shots, over and over again. The LAKERS fans and coaching staff stayed with him and helped him regain himself week after week. I would often wonder and actually feel for him on some of his unlucky moments, but the guys surrounded him and the fans stayed with him. Now he is saying to these same fans and team-mates I want more...well Lamar so did we..but we stuck with you through all of your highs and lows. So as a fan you can take your sometimes hot and sometimes luke-warm game effort to Miami, I hope for you they stick with you, because that is the type of game you bring.
Posted by: vikkin | July 20, 2009 at 02:33 PM
The Lakers have only missed the playoffs four times in the history of the NBA (76, 94, 95, 05), which is a feat not even the Celtics come close to sharing.
Odom's inconsistency looked good in the playoffs, but that's like any employee working over time just before their reviews are due. if anyone was the X-factor in the championship round, it was Ariza. He plugged up passing lanes effortlessly. And we traded him for Artest.
Muah ha ha ha! The Rockets took us to 7 games, so we took away their key defensive player so they couldn't do that again. A bit embarrassing? Sure, but who cares. Stuff like that happens. The Lake show still got number 15.
I'd like to see Odom back next year, but he's replaceable. Just as Gary Payton was replaceable (sorry to bad mouth you G, but that's for the attitude you gave me when I met you), so is Lamar Odom.
Posted by: Erick Pettersen | July 20, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Paul Peszko is clearly rooting for a team other than the Lakers. The Lakers need to re-sign Lamar Odom!
Posted by: Cathy | July 20, 2009 at 02:41 PM
wow, delusional piece of writing if you ask me. Reading some of these peoples comments actually agreeing with this is even more disturbing. Seriously why do Lakers fans and their enablers always find a way to create a completely unrealistic picture of themselves. Memo to Lakers fans: YOUR TEAM IS THE LEAST DOMINANT CHAMPION SINCE THE 2006 HEAT. Im sorry Laker fan but if you lose Odom your not repeating, period. Every 2009 contender has gotten better except you guys and the Magic. Boston got better. Cleveland got a little better. Denver didnt get any worse unless they lose Kleiza and my Spurs have gotten incredibly better. Did you Laker lovers forget about the depleted Houston Rockets taking it to 7 or the self destructing Nuggets giving you guys fits. If Boston or my Spurs were 100% healthy Lakers woulda definetaly not won anything. And now those 2 teams are should be the favorites.
Posted by: SPURSDUDE | July 20, 2009 at 03:24 PM
I love Dr. Buss for keeping this team the most consistantly successful franchise in sports over the last 30 years.
But I think at this point he needs to be less emotional about the situation, and consider putting the offer back on the table. If Lamar really wanted to go somewhere else he would have signed by now. I think he or his agent (or both) are idiots for not taking what was offered right off the bat, but at this point I'm pretty sure they would.
Bottom line is this - if the lakers put the offer back on the table, Odom will likely sign, and we are hands down the team to beat going into the season. Just because he didn't sign right away and upset Dr. Buss and many of us in the process is no reason to risk losing in the western conference finals or semis next year which could easily happen without the depth and versitility Odom provides. His presence in our frontcourt with Gasol and Bynum puts us over the top talent wise and that's all there is to it.
We all need to get over last week and move forward and do what's best for the team. And the lakers are better with Odom than without him PERIOD.
Posted by: laker fan | July 20, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Mr. Fong,
It is Kobe's Money! Would you sacrifice your wage to hire someone or keep someone in the organization? Kobe is not greedy or selfish and if he is, then so what. As long as there is a parade at the end of the year.
Posted by: John Crandell | July 20, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Lamar has always been a unique player in the NBA and was exceptional this year....he was far less than extraordinary, and to be quite honest, had not produced much relief for Kobe in the previous years...it was not until Phil used him in a reserve fashion that he really seemed to pull it together and make the most of his minutes. Now don't get me wrong, he was one of the best 6th men in the NBA, however, I listened to him talk all year long about understanding the Lakers situation given the salary cap, and he understood in order to resign he would have to take less money. However, he again is looking to MAX out late in his career, contrary to what he said in the past. I believe the Lakers even let Ariza leave with the notion they Lakers were choosing Odom over Ariza, which was very loyal as they would be giving Odom dollars they could have offered Ariza. I would rather play somewhere, where whether we are winning or losing, the arena is always SOLD OUT like Los Angeles, It is weird to watch Miami games and there are just sooo many empty seats...especially when they are losing.
Posted by: Laker4Life | July 20, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Yeah, and the Rams didn't need Eric Dickerson either. Plus ca change plus c'est le meme chose.
Posted by: CognitiveDissonance | July 20, 2009 at 05:01 PM
---"if we added them both we are top 3 in the east..."---
HAHAHAHAHA, Thanks for the laugh, Nigk.
I needed it...
hog
Posted by: the canibus hog | July 20, 2009 at 05:28 PM
I will agree that the Lakers will still be at the top in the WEST if all those things happen but again all those things have to happen and those things are all uncertainties, come on Sasha and Farmer have to come to life, Adam Morrison have to play like he can but even depending on that tells us that Lakers will not be favorites to repeat, whereas having Lamar makes them the favorites even with all that uncertainty. So I'd rather Buss do the Laker Fans some justice and bring back Lamar because he makes us unbeatable in my eyes and thats what you want to be in the NBA unbeatable and not just a playoff team. I can smell title 16 if Lamar comes back. So in this case if the LAKERS lose Lamar, we lose and he loses.
Posted by: Brittney | July 20, 2009 at 06:05 PM