“I was going to fight for what I wanted first and that was being in L.A. and being a Laker. L.A. was the first place that came to my mind. That’s where my heart was at.”
“So it is with good reason that Bryant and Derek Fisher have been openly optimistic about Odom’s return in recent days, even though it’s not yet clear how close the parties are to an actual agreement.
There are simply too many factors — in spite of Buss’ payroll concerns and a standing offer from the Heat that is pretty palatable given Miami’s salary-cap limitations — favoring an outcome that supremely disappoints 29 teams. Again.” - ESPN
“If you want a clue as to where some of the game’s best players stand, look no further than the recent public statements by Kobe Bryant, who just won a championship with Odom in tow, and Dwyane Wade, whose attachment to the 2003-04 Heat team with Odom and Caron Butler seems stronger than that mission accomplished 2005-06 Shaq ring. “- The Baseline
“But the sides began communicating in a more positive light Wednesday. Financial details were not immediately available, though the Lakers were not expected to have improved their initial offers. If anything, the offers might have dropped slightly.” - TrueHoop
“Nobody I spoke with, from coaches to agents to other members of the media, expects Odom to leave the Lakers, though one Western Conference GM said with a laugh that a lot of his brethren wish he would. (If LO is getting unsolicited mail on the virtues of life in south Florida, those guys are a likely source.) All part of the (not terribly surprising) consensus that losing Odom would have a major impact on LA’s ability to repeat. Clearly Odom isn’t LA’s best player, but almost to a man he was described as a key component to what makes the Lakers such a unique challenge for the opposition on both ends of the floor. It’s a skill set the Lakers can’t replace.” - LA Times
“Yes, Fisher wants Odom back, and he said he’s not alone. He said several other Lakers have called, texted, tweeted and otherwise technologically urged Odom to come back to the fold.”
#keeplamar!
sorry, Birdman #keeplamar
Don’t delude yourself into thinking the Lakers are better off without Odom — the best proof is that last season he led the Lakers in +/-, the Lakers outscored opponents by 16.4 points per 48 minutes when he was on the floor. Second was Kobe at 12.1. The simple truth is that good things happened for the Lakers when he was on the floor. He came up big in the playoffs. His versatility cannot easily be replaced. There are some intriguing pieces on the Heat roster (Chalmers, for one) but any move the Lakers make here is not going to make a title more likely.
Can the Lakers win a title without Odom? Yes, but the margin of error is now non-existent. Bynum has to be healthy and playing at his peak. Artest has to fit in swimmingly. Bench guys like Sasha and Jordan cannot struggle for long stretches. Everything has to go right. And that’s a lot to ask.
[from FB&G]
