So it’s come to this. Our old pal Lamar Odom has reportedly signed with Laboral Vitoria. Odom will unfortunately be remembered for the way his career ended, as an alleged crack addict. Odom was drafted by LA Clippers as the number 4 pick in the 1999 draft. Odom was a 6’10 power forward who could handle the rock like a guard, had great court vision and drive the lane like nobody’s business. At 6’10 and the ability to dribble, he was able to beat bigger defenders off the dribble and take smaller defenders inside. He had the body and skill set to be a defender’s nightmare.
His career highs in scoring and assists were during his time with the Clippers, but Lamar will be especially remembered for his role with the Lakers from 2004-2011. As part of the trade that sent Shaq to Miami, Odom was sent to Lakerland where he would eventually be coached by Phil Jackson. Despite not being the typical player for the triangle offense, Odom was an essential piece to the Lakers’ repeat championships in 2009 and 2010. He played a point-forward position, similar to Scottie Pippen with the Bulls, and was a great benefactor of the massive front court of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.
Odom was then sent to Dallas and his career spiraled downwards. The fact that nobody remembers his time in Dallas (where he made $8.9 million) or his second stint with the Clippers ($8.2 million) is enough to tell us how he did. But I choose not to remember Odom for his time with those two teams. I want to remember Odom for helping bring back Showtime to the Lakers, with his dynamic passing and dribbling. So with honesty and pleasure, I wish Lamar Odom luck in Spain. As a person who loves the game, it hurts to see someone with such skill and ability be so effected by drugs and alcohol in their life and I hope that Lamar finds good fortune in Spain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMTElOeAWPA
