ii9ce

When Kobe was out injured the lakers won without him (think they were 3-0). Now that Kobe is back and healthy and Odom is out, we'v lost to the mavs, wiz and narrowly beat the rockets.

Dont get me wrong, am not saying we do not need Kobe. But those guys that keep coming up with those 'trade Odom'posts really need to rethink what this guy gives the lakers.

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elcap15

Well hold on a sec. I dont think anyone wants to just give away Lamar. I think this guy is great and he gives you a lot of intangibles.(sp?) Those trade rumors (at least the ones Im thinking of) were talking about getting Garnet. Thats not like we wouldnt be getting something in return.

I do agree that Lamar is often undervalued because he puts up lower point totals than other "superstars" but when you look at his lines night in and night out, he is constantly contributing on boards and assists, even steals and blocks. He is damn good player, just to show you how good, people have talked about trading him for KG. That says something.

One more thing, we have a lot of depth at guard and SF so when Kobe goes out we have people that can help to fill that void. We dont have a lot of depth at PF, at least not a true PF or even anyone who can play defense.

jazzy1

Are you saying we need Odom more than Kobe.

Obviously Kobe is our best player and more important player but odom is a neccesity as well. Odom does so many things for us making the game easier for almost everyone. He's a glue guy. Melds everyone together. Kobe doesn't need to meld guys he carries them. Different roles.

I don't think a 3 game sampling illustrates who's more valuable if thats a point you're getting at. A couple years ago when Kobe was down and odom was playing we sucked bigtime. Doesn't mean Odom isn;t valuable it was what happened.

I juat can't wait until odom returns. We can make some noise then right now its about staying afloat.

Cris

we need odom because right now we really dont have that big of an offensive inside threat.

when kobe is out, at least we have guys that can shoot some jumpers.

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Bartholomew Hunt

What needs to be discussed is how Odom was so valuable to us defensively. I'm not sure I understand it. Our offense has basically been better without Odom, but we can't defend ****. Is Lamar an underrated defender? Or is he just mediocre, but still a vast improvement over guys that have been filling in? Radmanovic hustles, but his D is utter ****. We all are familar with Cook's defensive prowess. Turiaf is a decent help defender, but he banged Jeannie or something because Phil won't play him. If Kwame gets involved offensively, he decides that defense is unimportant. Bynum alters and blocks a few shots, but still gets lost easily and pushed around.

Lastly, we've been getting raped on the boards which leads to second chance points and fast break opportunities. We miss Lamar.

Theonee

In a small sample of games anything can happen though, Seattle won 3 in a row without Ray Allen, Toronto won 3 in a row without Chris Bosh, Nuggets just won yesterday without half of their best players.
As for Odom he is as important to teams success as Kobe is. Odom contribution to rebounding is immense. When Odom is in the line up Lakers out rebound their opponents 99% of the time, but with Odom out we can out rebounded a lot.

afobisme

oh please.. you comparing 3 games to 3 games.

i guess we are going to win the championship because we b eat the spurs so easily.

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Laker Superstar 34

You know, if we actually signed a guy that is just a defender/rebounder at PF I'm sure we could very easily cut someone like Shammond/Sasha or McKie(if he hasn't been already).

I have no idea what player we'd sign though. Maybe we could lure rookie Justin Williams from Saccramento for Sasha Vujacic.

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elcap15

I think his defense and rebounding have been very apparent in his absence.

Theonee

I am willing to give Sasha for FREE.

jazzy1

What Odom does defensively is allow Kwame to trap the pick and roll without the ball being passed into the paint for easy baskets. He covers kwame's back and forces the play back towards the perimeter.

Without Odom when kwame goes out to trap the guard the ball almost always goes right down the lane for easy baskets. Vlad because he doesn't have a bigman's mentality like Odom he lingers on the perimeter instead of stepping into the paint and cutting off penetration.

Cook does the same thing.

Turiaf could help with this but PJ wants to play the perimeter guys too often.

Plus as you mentioned losing odom's rebounding has been a killer, Kwame does the blocking out and odom cleans the rebounds now we're just getting cracked now with the softer perimeter players not helping on boards.

upsanddowns

Lamar's value to this team surpasses Kobe's.

Sorry Kobe fanatics, but it's the truth.

Kobe doesn't facilitate the offense as well as Lamar. When Kobe has the ball, the Lakers play too much one on one basketball leading to a stagnated offensive execution.

Kobe doesn't get the boards as well as Lamar. Coincidently, the Lakers rebound total has taken a good hit with Lamar's absence.

Kobe can't post up and create his own shot as well as Lamar.

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LamarButler