Odom calls Clippers basketball hell - Basketball Forum : Professional and College Basketball Forums

Wade#3 · 08-07-2003, 12:39 AM

No way is this posturing.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ll/6476018.htm

Posted on Thu, Aug. 07, 2003

Odom: I want out of L.A.
Forward expects to be with Heat
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ
igutierrez@herald.com

His free agent status might be restricted, but it doesn't mean Lamar Odom has to restrict his emotions.

The 6-10 forward, who played his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, has been negotiating a contract offer from the Heat that is believed to be worth between $65 million and $70 million over six years.

Odom's concern, though, is the Clippers will match the offer sheet, and he wants to make it clear he wants out of Los Angeles and would be disappointed if the Clippers brought him back.

''I feel like my relationship with the Clippers is over,'' Odom said by telephone Wednesday. ``I don't really feel like they committed to me. If they were, this wouldn't be going on like this. I just feel like this is my time and my place and my chance to get out of there.''

The Clippers reportedly have offered Odom a three-year, $24 million contract, but Odom's dissatisfaction runs much deeper than any dollar figures.

Since he was drafted fourth overall in 1999, the Clippers have been through four coaches and just hired their fifth, Mike Dunleavy.

And even the smaller details, like the Clippers are without their own practice facility, have gotten to Odom.

''At the end of this year, I pretty much wanted out,'' Odom said. ``I'm tired of not having a place to practice, a place to get better. I think it's just my time to get out of there. . . . I've been trying to express myself as humble as possible, but I just want to get . . . out of there.''

The Clippers have shown signs of turning around what often is referred to as the worst franchise in professional sports. They matched the Heat's six-year, $82 million offer to Elton Brand and Utah's six-year, $42 million offer to Corey Maggette, plus hired the respected Dunleavy.

''I know they did the thing with Elton Brand, but that was the obvious. They had to do that, . . .'' Odom said. ``I don't want to go through this again with the perception of Lamar Odom and having to win [Dunleavy] over and try to show him that I'm a good dude.

``I don't see how far we could go. From my understanding, no one wants to hire a disgruntled employee or bring a disgruntled employee back. I would not be happy coming back. I think my career is going to take off with the Heat. I'm running in muddy waters with the Clippers.''

Odom said he would be happier playing for the Heat and coach Pat Riley.

''This is about me coming to play for a coach that I should have been playing with a long time ago, since my rookie season,'' Odom said. ``He tried to make the moves to come get me then [in a trade], and now it's time for him to come get me out of the basketball hell.

``I don't see myself playing for any other coach than Riley next year.''

Odom's options also include signing a one-year tender offer with the Clippers that would make him an unrestricted free agent next season.

A Clippers spokeswoman said the team had no comment about Odom's remarks.

Instead, Odom would prefer to sign a deal with the Heat, which is likely to occur sometime in the next two days. Riley is in Los Angeles, as is Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz.

Asked if he was worried the Clippers would match the Heat's offer simply out of spite, Odom said, ``To sign somebody back out of spite is gutless and is sorry. I just want to get as far away from the Clippers as possible.''

Ouch

**Ezmo** · 08-07-2003, 12:47 AM

ouch is right...

dmilesai · 08-07-2003, 01:44 AM

Odom is certainly two-faced. But I guess, good luck if he goes to Miami.

THE'clip'SHOW · 08-07-2003, 08:42 AM

Im gonna laugh when we find out all he is trying to do is get Riles TO GIVE HIM AN OFFER SHEET. So he can be matched.

TucsonClip · 08-07-2003, 09:55 AM

Funny I was thinking the same thing Clip Show. Lets hope for the best.

yamaneko · 08-07-2003, 09:56 AM

Odoms agent is reaching deep into the arsenal for this. I still dont think miami is gullable enough (even though it seems like their fans are...hehehe) to believe this. But its what must be done since its already public knowledge that the clippers will match any offer sheet. Im not sure if its convincing enough to make miami embarrass themselves again (a la brand), but hopefully it is so that the odom deal can be locked up.

Wade#3 · 08-07-2003, 09:57 AM

Riles is not hesitant about giving Odom a contract. The only reason it is taking this long is because they are trying to make it as difficult as possible and to cause The DONALD to take pause, along with Riles being in Europe. Odom does not need to play games to get a lucrative contract from Riles.

**HKF** · 08-07-2003, 10:01 AM

Odom is not worth 10 million plus until he plays a full healthy season.

**Locke** · 08-07-2003, 10:22 AM

After Lamar has said all that I don't see why on earth Sterling would want to match a sheet on him. He's going to be a bigger problem than Kandi was, and it'll be LONG TERM. Next thing you know he'll just be faking injuries and getting in trouble on purpose just so he won't have to play since he'll still be getting paid. It was nice while it lasted, but you can't lock up a guy for that long that doesn't want to be here at all. This is starting to seem like a basketball version of fatal attraction. Let him go Sterling, let him go.....

FSH · 08-07-2003, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>THE'clip'SHOW</b>!
Im gonna laugh when we find out all he is trying to do is get Riles TO GIVE HIM AN OFFER SHEET. So he can be matched.

yea i was thinkin the same thing

**Locke** · 08-07-2003, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>THE'clip'SHOW</b>!
Im gonna laugh when we find out all he is trying to do is get Riles TO GIVE HIM AN OFFER SHEET. So he can be matched.

That would be funny though. Especially if he came out after the Clips matched the offer and admitted it. Like he does an interview, looks straight into the camera and goes "Yo Riles, you and your whole organization just got PLAYED!" I wish this was the case.

Richie Rich · 08-07-2003, 10:50 AM

SterLing wud be DUMB as HeLL to match if OdOm truLy doesn't want to be in LAC-LaNd.

-33- · 08-07-2003, 01:24 PM

good-bye Lamar...welcome to Miami

Clips fans keep telling yourselves that he's "making this up" he's just saying what all the other clippers are thinking....you're the fans of the NBA Cincinnati Bengals a.k.a. "Basketball Hell"!!!

dhook54 · 08-07-2003, 02:30 PM

I've been a Clipper fan for some time.[a Laker/Clipper fan actually]I've noticed that a lot of Clippers who complained about not getting paid, NEVER went on to prove they were worth what they wanted from The Clippers. Does anyone wish we still had Maurice Taylor, Lorenzen Wright, Lamond Murray or Derek Anderson? [of all the unpaid former Clippers, only Danny Manning became an all star AFTER leaving L.A.]I truly doubt that Kandiman will ever live up to his "potetial". I think Odom is making a mistake. Having to win over Dunleavy is a lame excuse for wanting to leave. Truth be told, he probably doesn't want to be the 3rd option behind Brand and Maggette. Does he believe, he'll get more touches than Caron Butler, or Eddie Jones? And, he'll definitely gonna have to win over Riley. [pegardles of what is said during negotiations]

yamaneko · 08-07-2003, 03:11 PM

dhook dont sweat it, this is just a negotiating ploy...

08-07-2003, 12:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wade#3 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	Odom calls Clippers basketball hell No way is this posturing. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ll/6476018.htm Posted on Thu, Aug. 07, 2003 Odom: I want out of L.A. Forward expects to be with Heat BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ igutierrez@herald.com His free agent status might be restricted, but it doesn't mean Lamar Odom has to restrict his emotions. The 6-10 forward, who played his first four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, has been negotiating a contract offer from the Heat that is believed to be worth between $65 million and $70 million over six years. Odom's concern, though, is the Clippers will match the offer sheet, and he wants to make it clear he wants out of Los Angeles and would be disappointed if the Clippers brought him back. ''I feel like my relationship with the Clippers is over,'' Odom said by telephone Wednesday. ``I don't really feel like they committed to me. If they were, this wouldn't be going on like this. I just feel like this is my time and my place and my chance to get out of there.'' The Clippers reportedly have offered Odom a three-year, $24 million contract, but Odom's dissatisfaction runs much deeper than any dollar figures. Since he was drafted fourth overall in 1999, the Clippers have been through four coaches and just hired their fifth, Mike Dunleavy. And even the smaller details, like the Clippers are without their own practice facility, have gotten to Odom. ''At the end of this year, I pretty much wanted out,'' Odom said. ``I'm tired of not having a place to practice, a place to get better. I think it's just my time to get out of there. . . . I've been trying to express myself as humble as possible, but I just want to get . . . out of there.'' The Clippers have shown signs of turning around what often is referred to as the worst franchise in professional sports. They matched the Heat's six-year, $82 million offer to Elton Brand and Utah's six-year, $42 million offer to Corey Maggette, plus hired the respected Dunleavy. ''I know they did the thing with Elton Brand, but that was the obvious. They had to do that, . . .'' Odom said. ``I don't want to go through this again with the perception of Lamar Odom and having to win [Dunleavy] over and try to show him that I'm a good dude. ``I don't see how far we could go. From my understanding, no one wants to hire a disgruntled employee or bring a disgruntled employee back. I would not be happy coming back. I think my career is going to take off with the Heat. I'm running in muddy waters with the Clippers.'' Odom said he would be happier playing for the Heat and coach Pat Riley. ''This is about me coming to play for a coach that I should have been playing with a long time ago, since my rookie season,'' Odom said. ``He tried to make the moves to come get me then [in a trade], and now it's time for him to come get me out of the basketball hell. ``I don't see myself playing for any other coach than Riley next year.'' Odom's options also include signing a one-year tender offer with the Clippers that would make him an unrestricted free agent next season. A Clippers spokeswoman said the team had no comment about Odom's remarks. Instead, Odom would prefer to sign a deal with the Heat, which is likely to occur sometime in the next two days. Riley is in Los Angeles, as is Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz. Asked if he was worried the Clippers would match the Heat's offer simply out of spite, Odom said, ``To sign somebody back out of spite is gutless and is sorry. I just want to get as far away from the Clippers as possible.'' Ouch

08-07-2003, 12:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ezmo Pat Burke's Hair Tonic Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orange, CA Age: 27 Posts: 513 Rep Power: 9567	ouch is right... __________________ Don't Tread.

08-07-2003, 01:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
dmilesai All-Star Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vista,California- Age: 23 Posts: 5,704 Rep Power: 134015	Odom is certainly two-faced. But I guess, good luck if he goes to Miami. __________________ Hi

08-07-2003, 08:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
THE'clip'SHOW Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NEWPORT Posts: 2,091 Rep Power: 211434	Im gonna laugh when we find out all he is trying to do is get Riles TO GIVE HIM AN OFFER SHEET. So he can be matched. __________________ Timmons: "Nuggets confidence vs. Clippers is like Jason Biggs in American Pie when Shannon Elizabeth comes into his bed room and all Biggs can muster is wet pants. Nuggets don't want any part of the Clippers, but they'll get the whole thing "

08-07-2003, 09:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
yamaneko All-Star Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Age: 34 Posts: 5,561 Rep Power: 2252582	Odoms agent is reaching deep into the arsenal for this. I still dont think miami is gullable enough (even though it seems like their fans are...hehehe) to believe this. But its what must be done since its already public knowledge that the clippers will match any offer sheet. Im not sure if its convincing enough to make miami embarrass themselves again (a la brand), but hopefully it is so that the odom deal can be locked up. __________________ 08-09 Clippers - Where injuries happen

08-07-2003, 09:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
TucsonClip Star Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Diego Age: 29 Posts: 4,300 Rep Power: 1775156	Funny I was thinking the same thing Clip Show. Lets hope for the best.

08-07-2003, 09:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Wade#3 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 32 Rep Power: 0	Riles is not hesitant about giving Odom a contract. The only reason it is taking this long is because they are trying to make it as difficult as possible and to cause The DONALD to take pause, along with Riles being in Europe. Odom does not need to play games to get a lucrative contract from Riles.

08-07-2003, 10:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
HKF That'll do Pigley... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 32 Posts: 49,419 Rep Power: 18494263	Odom is not worth 10 million plus until he plays a full healthy season. __________________ Favorite NBA players: Deron Williams, Ben Gordon, Kobe Bryant, Josh Smith, Chauncey Billups, Rudy Gay, Roy Hibbert, Jerryd Bayless, Eric Maynor, Jeff Teague, Evan Turner, DeMarcus Cousins, Epke Udoh, Kemba Walker

08-07-2003, 10:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Locke -PREMIUM MEMBER- Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 31 Posts: 3,186 Rep Power: 20	After Lamar has said all that I don't see why on earth Sterling would want to match a sheet on him. He's going to be a bigger problem than Kandi was, and it'll be LONG TERM. Next thing you know he'll just be faking injuries and getting in trouble on purpose just so he won't have to play since he'll still be getting paid. It was nice while it lasted, but you can't lock up a guy for that long that doesn't want to be here at all. This is starting to seem like a basketball version of fatal attraction. Let him go Sterling, let him go.....

08-07-2003, 10:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
Richie Rich Star Join Date: May 2003 Location: O-ToWn, New York Age: 28 Posts: 2,849 Rep Power: 129476	SterLing wud be DUMB as HeLL to match if OdOm truLy doesn't want to be in LAC-LaNd. __________________ GaNg GrEeN*PM ME IF YOU WANNA JOIN* 1) Richie Rich 2) celticsrule0873 3) BleedGreen 4) MeanGreenBronxBomber 5) TheRifleman 6) agoo101284 7) NE sportsfan 8) aquaitious 9) JBone4eva 10) hellbot 11) kjkeelty 12) keilhur 13) whiterhino 14) MiamiHeat03 15) WaltaaMcCarty 16) w-h-i-t-e-b-o-y 17) KJay 18) Celts11 19) FanOfAll7482 20) Milo35 21) BagFullOTreez 22) PhearDaPierce 23) KingHandles 24) #1AntoineWalkerFan 25) TheBigDonut 26) tdk1984 Banned Celtics Member Club... Don't be the Next to JOIN the DAMNED and STUPID... 1) lastlaugh 2) lastlaugh's hubby 3) lastlaugh's son 4) other variations of lastlaugh

08-07-2003, 01:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
-33- 15 STRONG Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dirty South Age: 29 Posts: 27,445 Rep Power: 4077245	good-bye Lamar...welcome to Miami Clips fans keep telling yourselves that he's "making this up" he's just saying what all the other clippers are thinking....you're the fans of the NBA Cincinnati Bengals a.k.a. "Basketball Hell"!!! __________________ Formerly DQ for 3, Shaq_Diesel, and Caron_Butler. Road to Back-to-Back Championships 16-15-14-13-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1

08-07-2003, 02:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
dhook54 Benchwarmer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: long beach.CA Posts: 107 Rep Power: 14	Odom calls Clippers basketball hell I've been a Clipper fan for some time.[a Laker/Clipper fan actually]I've noticed that a lot of Clippers who complained about not getting paid, NEVER went on to prove they were worth what they wanted from The Clippers. Does anyone wish we still had Maurice Taylor, Lorenzen Wright, Lamond Murray or Derek Anderson? [of all the unpaid former Clippers, only Danny Manning became an all star AFTER leaving L.A.]I truly doubt that Kandiman will ever live up to his "potetial". I think Odom is making a mistake. Having to win over Dunleavy is a lame excuse for wanting to leave. Truth be told, he probably doesn't want to be the 3rd option behind Brand and Maggette. Does he believe, he'll get more touches than Caron Butler, or Eddie Jones? And, he'll definitely gonna have to win over Riley. [pegardles of what is said during negotiations] __________________ playas do what they want to, suckas do what they can

08-07-2003, 03:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
yamaneko All-Star Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oceanside, CA Age: 34 Posts: 5,561 Rep Power: 2252582	dhook dont sweat it, this is just a negotiating ploy... __________________ 08-09 Clippers - Where injuries happen

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