Charles Barkley brands the Dallas Mavericks - Lamar Odom settlement a ‘joke’- NBA Update
Sir Charles Barkley never shied away from speaking his mind during his NBA career and has become even more outspoken as an analyst. The man once known as the 'Round Mound of NBA' recently gave his views about the whole Lamar Odom
– Dallas Mavericks episode, and criticized the team management for the way they protected their interest;
"I always pull for the players, but the fact that they've got to pay him, I think is a joke," Barkley said. "I mean, because he didn't earn his salary. He didn't earn it at all. I like Lamar as a person, but I'm disappointed about
everything that happened in Dallas. And it's a shame that the Mavs got to pay him.”
The Mavs were all joy when they got Lamar Odom in a hush-hush trade with their arch rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, one for which the defending champions literally paid peanuts. The addition of the reigning ‘Sixth Man of the Year’
was supposed to add depth to the Mavericks roster, but LO’s induction actually brought what Mark Cuban later called ‘negative energy’ in the team.
Despite sincere efforts from the Mavs, Lamar never settled at Dallas and a halftime confrontation with Cuban in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies proved to be the final nail in the coffin. Lamar's suspension was not the result
of this single incident rather this was the point where the conflict escalated.
Throughout the season he has been displaying an effortless show, averaging 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, starting 4 of the 50 games he played. The 32 years old forward however evaded from giving incendiary
statements after the agreement, which he called best for both the parties involved.
“I am sorry that things didn’t work out better for both of us, but I wish the Mavs’ organization, my teammates and Dallas Fans nothing but continued success in the defence of their championship.”
The move will allow Dallas to trade him next season.
With 33 wins and 26 loses Dallas are on their way to the playoffs and it seems that LO will not be missed on the road to post season. If he had displayed an effort earlier then this transition might have been smooth, but under
the circumstances in which he left, Mavs would do fine without him.
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