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I can't believe you guys want to trade Odom.
That is ridiculous.
I know he wasn't on the court last year, for a couple reasons, but if you are really a Clipper fan, you truly understand what he means to this team. Let's not forget that Odom led a bunch of young, inexperienced players to double their win total from the previous year. Let's also not forget, that for the 10 game stretch that Odom was healthy and on the court last year, the clippers went 8-2 and were one of the hottest teams in the league.
If you are a true fan of the team, you remember this, and you know just how important he is to the team.
Darius Miles is my favorite player in the NBA. His enthusiasm and his closeness in age to me have drawn me to him. I think he is going to be a star in the NBA. BUT, he will not ever be as good as Lamar Odom. Odom has the ability to be a true franchise player, one of the to 5 players in the game. Miles does not have the court vision or feel that Odom has. Very few do. Thats what sets Odom apart from the rest of the 6'10 players in this league.
There is one player that the Clippers have on their roster that could possibly win them a title. You need that true superstar to win a title. The only player that fits that bill in LA is Lamar Odom. Its not Elton Brand. Its not Darius Miles. Its not Quentin Richardson. And it certainly is not Andre Miller(though I am a HUGE fan of his; local ties, plus I know a guy who played college ball with him). None of these players have the ability level to be a franchise player and won't be the player to take the team to a title. Odom is the only one that can potentially do that.
And, you do not need to get rid of Odom to let Miles flourish. Both can play together. There are two things the team needs to do - A, get rid of McInnis. This one has already been done. This opens up huge minutes. And B, cut Maggette's minutes(preferably trade him). I love Maggette. But, it's clear that he isn't as good as Q or Miles or Odom, and does not have the upside. He's the odd man out, and he needs to be moved to clear room for Miles. Not Odom. There are very few players in the league I would move Odom for, and Miles isn't one.
If LA trades Odom, they may become a very good team, but they will never win a title. They'll never make it that far in the West. They'll become a Seattle like team in that they are good enough to make the playoffs consistently, but they'll never get close enough for a title. With Odom, anything is possible.
And then of course, the actual deal proposed. Odom and a lottery pick for Miller? Yeah right. Baylor and Co. have already said that ain't happening cuz thats way too high a price. At least Baylor is wise enough to realize how good Odom is, and I hope he doesn't have a brain fart and let Odom slip out at the last minute.
I understand people have forgotten how good Odom is because of this past year. But, he is clearly the best player on the team. He is the best player the Clippers have ever had. They need to keep him. If for some reason, his problems of this past year bother him next year, THEN, move him. But you cannot move him now. If they do, they will regret it for a long time.
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