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I do believe that when LO speaks, the team listens. Even after the suspension and injuries, the players and management have gone out of their way to mention him as a team leader and a key player to their future.
Weed isn't really a big deal. By that I mean to the players. Sure, it is going to get him suspended(which I do not think it should be, but thats another discussion), but you know that other players do it, and it's not something that the players would look down on him for. So I don't think that the team(players/organization) has written him off or completely shunned him as part of the future. I do think they listen when he speaks.
I do think Odom can do anything needed. Odom can bring the ball up and play a distributor/PG role. He can play on the wing and shoot the rock, or he can drive at will and get off an easy layin with his left hand. He can play down low and use his left hook to score. He can go down low and grab boards when he needs to.
He may not do these things all the time(I mean, nobody as talented as him do what they can every night - by that, I mean Shaq could go for 50 every night if he wanted to, but he doesn't). But, he can carry a team. Odom led the 18yo Miles, 20year old Q, 20 yo Dooling(all rookies), and 20 year old Maggette and a bunch of scrubs to doubling their win total from the year before.
Odom's versatility means that everybody else can be a bit more free in their roles. Odom, as a SF, can take the ball and allow the PG to utilize his scoring ability(if he has it) and his one on one abilities. Odom can be the scorer. I think what truly sets Odom apart is his unselfishness(on the court). In fact, he may even be too unselfish at times. He is a potential superstar that LOVES to distribute the rock. How many guys can you say that about nowadays? You can't even name too many PG's that like to pass first, let alone a forward like Odom.
I guess where we differ is on our assessment of the Odom/Miles situation. I think both can play together, but if pressed to pick one, Im taking Odom. And I do not say this being a huge Odom fan and a Miles hater. Miles is my favorite basketball player. Miles has a very good feel for the game and that has helped him contribute at an early age while his skills are still raw. He is a better athlete and can jump higher than Odom. But, I can't see him being better than Odom. Miles is versatile, but he can't do everything Odom can do, and I dont see him developing into it either. Odom's court vision and passing ability and his natural feel for the game(as I said Miles has a very good one, but Odom's is just so much more advanced) set him apart from just about every other player in the league IMO. I can think of only a couple players that have the vision and sense that Odom has in running an offense(Kidd and Stockton come to mind). Thats why he's special, and thats why he has to be kept IMO.
He has to be kept for this season at least if you ask me. If after this year he can't regain his play from before, then let him go. But he's too good to give up on right now. Nobody that they can get in return for him can be the type of player Odom can be IMO. Miller is an excellent player, but he can't become the type of player LO can be. Neither can Jason Williams.
I am going to be extremely upset if they move Odom this offseason because I honestly believe that if they do, they have shot their chances at ever(well in the next 10 years) reaching the Finals.
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