Lamar Odom is very talented and has all the tools in the world?

Question

and is entering his 10th year in the league and still hasn't put together back to back healthy seasons since his first 2 years in the league and is still very inconsistent, his confidence waivers, he doesn't have a jumpshot, cannot go to his right hand and dribble in traffic or get around someone and finish with his right hand (misses loads of layups with his right hand and commits a lot of offesive fouls because his moves are predictable as defenders know he cannot go right and therefore pack his left side and make him operate on his weak side)

he's earning 14 million dollars a year

my goodness he has all the tools in the world - lengthy, agile, tall player and yet he still plays like a rookie and hasn't put things together

why is he the most frustrating player to watch

Answer 1

Exactly.

If I were Lamar, I would just dominate other SFs.

Now being the 3rd option for the Lakers Last season, really helped him as a player.

Who knows, maybe next year will be his breakout season.

I say we give him at least next year to prove himself. If he doesn't, isn't it fair to let him go?...

Then we could go after Shawn Marion and get rebounding, scoring, defense, and consistency

Answer 2

He is to passive of a player.  Against inferior talent he plays the way everybody knows he can play, but when he goes up against better defenders he seems to back down and play timid.  The guy doesn't have that edge that you need and his injury riddle career could be some of the cause of his play.   But the guy can do it all and is a match up nightmare for most teams.

Answer 3

I agree. When he's on, he's one of the best players in the NBA. He can do anything on the floor. But, he does need to improve on his jumpshot and dribbling with his right hand. Finally, he needs to develop a killer instinct. The Lakers are unbeatable when he plays well.

Answer 4

By halftime Llamar Odem like to smoke some good chronic to keep his asthma in check.

Answer 5

Lamar Odom is a prime example of someone who is trying to take over when Kobe Bryant is in their team. They just can't. Your right about him having all the tools. Every time I watch the Lakers, it's like hes trying to take over, but it seems like he's shy about it when Kobe is in the line-up. And for people who think that Andrew Bynum can take over, yeah he can, but it's because the ball goes through Kobe before it goes to Bynum. Same with Gasol when he came.

This is just a suggestion, so please Kobe Lovers don't flame me, but if Kobe came of the bench, like Ginobili did this last season, then there would be options like if Odom wasn't feeling it in the beginning, then bring Kobe in to fix it. But if he was heating up, then Phil can let Kobe rest.

I just gotta keep ranting about Kobe, sorry. If he went on a vacation during the season to fix his stupid pinky, then Phil would have had to rely on the Odom and Gasol duo. This would of helped them in the playoffs where they were shut down. Kobe is the same reason why Artest doesn'y want to go to LA because they just can't share points.

Answer 6

i would get rid of him i mean hes good and all but they lakers need some body whos gonna help them win and odom just aint doin tht

Answer 7

Simple.

His GREED

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Answer 8

Because Chokobe makes all of his teammates look worse.

Proof?

Before Pau Gasol was donated to the Lakers, who called him soft?  People even called the Spanish National Team (FIBA 2006 World Champions) the most physically tough team in the world.  When was he soft before the Lakers?

Look at Game 3 in the Finals.  Pau Gasol or Lamar Odom would have been the Game 3 MVP, but then Chokobe scored 20+ points in the 4th quarter, so Chokobe was Game 3 MVP. And Game 4 in the Finals, Lamar Odom would have been Game 4 MVP, but Chokobe would have none of it and he started ballhogging in the second half, again!  And guess what happened?  24 points down the drain!

As KG put it best when he was asked what adjustments they made in the second half to beat the Lakers after being down 24, "Defense.  Well, first half was team basketball. Second half was all Kobe.  Defense was a lot easier."

Chokobe is a selfish prick - he's destroyed my team.

Answer 9

He needs to put his heart into that game, and become more confident.

Answer 10

ya but he has allstar stats nd hes good so he can put it together .. nd it must be hard playing with kobe

Answer 11

He wants to be the first option.  Simple as that!!  I think the Lakers should send him to the Bulls for Kirk Heinrich.  Both teams would benefit!

Answer 12

What up Daniel,

Agreed- Lamar has always had a unique set of skills- to be able to play with the agility of a smaller player but to be 6 foot 10.

To me in the years i've watched him- i think Lamar is missing some mental toughness.  The guy can be taken out of his game-- and i'm sorry to say but everytime he steps to the line in the 4th quarter- i know he's only making one of two free throws.  i don't know if it's a pressure thing-- but Lamar as you said is so talented that even when he's off shooting wise he should be able to still have the ball go through his hands and make some assists- but when he disappears he just checks out of the game and isn't a factor - when a guy with his skill-set should always have a way to affect the game for the Lakers in a positive way.  

i think that's the frustration for Lakers fan. You are scared to trade him in case he ever puts it all-together and for a "near superstar" he is a humble man but at the same time- consistency is what the Lakers need from L.O. and he has been consistently- inconsistent.  i'd love to trade him for Shawn Marion- but we're going to have to wait and see.

His expiring $14 million will be a good trade tool-- and i've also heard ideas in the past of playing out this season with him and if he wants to remain in L.A. signing him for a lot less like $8 or $9 mill/yr and this would allow us to go after another free agent so like a Ron Artest for that amount.  i think the Lakers if they do trade him- just need to make sure they don't take on a bad contract to make it happen- because if they play out this year with him they'll have some cap space for next year.

Nickster

Answer 13

he is the most frustrating player to watch because his biggest contributions come when the lakers least need it he is afraid of the spotlight and doesnt step up in crucial moments such as the finals and just like you listed above he is so predictable

Answer 14

He's frustrating to watch because he can make great play and then just disappear.  It make you wonder why don't he just do the same d**n thing.  

Odom seems to play better when he is feature but when he is 2nd or 3rd option he can't play very well.  Maybe it's an indication that he's not a very good team player.