Why do Lakers Fans Overhyped Lamar Odom?

Question

I'm being honest. Odom is capable of passing the ball like a PG and good rebounber. but, It crazy to hear, People talking about Odom being one of the Best SF in the NBA. Technically, He played like a PF, not SF. Odom is uncapable of, shooting Midrange jumper, finishes Layups, and a poor defender. Why does he like to stand and watching Kobe making plays? ( " Show them, why you're the best".) - by Lamar Odom

Answer 1

Is he overhyped? No. Under-utilized? Yes.

If Lamar was never in this 2008 team, The Lakers would have gotten trouble with the Spurs and the Jazz (maybe never went to the Finals at all). In those two series Lamar was like Kobe, nobody could cover him. He was the Lakers X-Factor (you do not believe me watch the tapes again of those two series). But then again Boston just dominated him in the Finals because Lamar didn't have the toughness of a real PF. He is a natural SF that's why he glides as fast and as efficiently as any SFs he wasn't aggressive in the post and was very much out of position.

Have Bynum been there the Celt's would have had trouble because the Lakers line-up should read: C-Bynum, PF-Gasol, SF-Odom, SG-Bryant, PG-Fisher. Odom would have dominated Paul Pierce because of his long arms and athleticism. He was just forced to play out of position and struggled.

Note: He was an SF with the Clippers, with Maggette playing the SG and Elton Brand at PF.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I am laker fan and i dont think he is one the best SF in the leauge....

but that doesnt mean he isnt good....he lead the lakers in rebounding the last three season and he can avg mroe than 10 points .. he dont even need to score 10 since pau is in the line up ...so what more do u want from LO....to be kobe ...no..

what i dont like about LO is his mind midget.....other than that i am happy with what he bring to the table.

TheONly24*

Answer 3

well lamar can dribble and cross people as a big guy, not much people can do that these days

Answer 4

the guy that answered your question is right.. lamar is good at driving towards the rim and finishing around the basket.. he is real good with both hands.. his shooting is ok.. he's a quicker player at his position than most..  the thing you said about him standing around though is correct.. Lamar likes to stand around and disappears from the game at times.. Everyone knows that. Thats just Lamar but he could be way better than he is.. He is under achieving and no one can argue that.. And being one of the best sf is garbage.. hes not even close.. Where ever you heard that slap them please..

Answer 5

Odom only plays good when the team is playing good. So if Gasol and Kobe play good, Odom plays good.

Truth is, only the laker fans, who don't really know much about basketball, mark him as an all star.

And also, kobe haters love to give Odom lots of credit when they try to prove that Kobe sucks.  They say, "Kobe has so much help from Pau and Odom, two really good players. LeBron gets help from Wallace and Ilgauskas." So it is a bit unfair that you are only attacking laker fans.

Answer 6

Laker fans over-hyping a player???...NO WAY...heh

Answer 7

What up THE MVP,

i haven't heard too many Laker fans say that Lamar is one of the best SF(s) in the league- because there are definitely guys that Laker fans would take all day before L.O.

L.O.'s entire career has been plagued by potential - that he has honestly never fulfilled.  

Some Laker fans are making the point though that L.O. had one of his best years last year and was playing out of his natural position - so with Bynum back and moving L.O. back to his natural position- they think that will help-- although i agree that his lack of a consistent jump shot- kind of hurts them- because with posts in Gasol and Bynum you'll see L.O. up top a lot more- and he has to hit that open 18-20 footer.  

The guy truly has the tools but in my opinion doesn't have the mental part to put it together and play to that potential (which is all-star potential) he just can't seem to put it together consistently.  

He does tend to miss bunnies around the rim at times- and those times are frustrating because you want him to aggressively try to dunk the ball.  

Defensively he does pretty decently in the post- but lacks some lateral quickness which is a problem at the SF position.  

He's a humble and a nice guy and you probably love him as a teammate- but sometimes you wonder if it's that lack of fire that keeps him from playing the way that all Lakers fans have been waiting for him to play.  Lamar is not an all-star though he has always had that kind of potential.  

i think a lot of Lakers fans think two games removed from an NBA title- that the addition of Bynum may be enough.  Lamar's lack of consistency bothers me- but i wouldn't force a trade- unless we got Marion - because in case Bynum is not 100% you like the luxury of shifting up both Lamar and Gasol and having that flexibility.  But if he's not consistent i'd ship him out come trade deadline- because there's got to be a team that wants a $14 million expiring contract.

Nickster

Answer 8

If you're saying Lamar sucks, you are so wrong.

The guy is underrated, and when he takes the ball to the hole, HE'S UNSTOPPABLE.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NckvyZUFA9Q

I would say Lamar is like a Shawn Marion but only without the great defense.

Watch Lamar play. Thats all I gotta say

Answer 9

no he's a great player just like kobe is

Answer 10

I've watched like every Lakers' game for the past 3 yrs. n watching lamar odom. he did improve alot from the past years but he still has really noticeable weaknesses. Although people say that he finishes alot at the rim. He kind of finishes well, but he is a very streaky type of person. I mean he isn't consistent at the rim wen driving it in. He's not good with both hands. If u actually watch his games, he likes to use his left every time even on right hand layups. He's a decent defender. He's good at rebounding. good at fast breaks. Not that great shooting midrange. Not good shooting 3s. passing is pretty good tho. free throws. he got alot better from last yr. he's in the top 15 of SF in the NBA guarantee

Answer 11

You make 2 fatal errors when vying for credence on the subject of the skills and capabilities of Lamar Odom.

Your first fatal error is when you say he plays more like a PF than a SF.

Total hogwash (and I'm not even british). His natural position is SF, while he can play ANY position he is naturally inclined to play SF. He flourished when Pau came and he was playing SF. He came into the NBA playing SF.

Your second Fatal Error is when your reason for your first fatal error and that is that he cannot finish at the rim which is total bologna. He is one of the best in the league at driving past his opponent and making an off speed layup or dunk because of his height for his speed.

Answer 12

because he is a good player propley one of the most underrated players in the game