Read the opposing arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek.
Well, I was all set to argue for Vince Carter in today’s debate. And while he still may be a big part of the Eastern Conference Finals as they head to Boston (and we wait until Saturday) for game three, I couldn’t say much for him after he channeled his inner-Nick Anderson and missed key free throws down the stretch in last night’s game. So in a quick change of pace, I’m going to give a look to the riddle that is Lamar Odom and say that he is the most important under the radar player remaining in the NBA playoffs.
No one has really ever questioned Odom’s talent. Combined with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, the Lakers frontline is very tough when it is completely healthy. Together the three of them total nearly 21 feet of height. No one can come close to matching that. But Odom brings more than just a big body.
Odom has frustrated Lakers fans and coaches to no end with his inconsistent play this season. During some games Odom shows why he is one of the best sixth men every season on any team. During other games, he, quite frankly, fails to show up. Before Monday’s game against the Suns Odom averaged only 8.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game thus far this postseason. That is down slightly from his averages of 10.8 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game during the regular season. That’s what made Monday’s strong game of 19 points and 19 rebounds so surprising. It even led Suns star Amar’e Stoudamire to say that Odom had a “lucky game” in game one.
For all the talk about Kobe Bryant’s huge game, it was Odom’s game that stood out in the box score to me. Kobe is going to get his points. But for Odom to do what he did by dominating on the glass means the Lakers are still the favorite at this point. The seven offensive rebounds by Odom was definitely an added bonus.
This is exactly the type of performance many have expected of Odom since he entered the league in 1999 (yes, it’s been that long ago). Unfortunately, he was selected by that other team in Los Angeles, and we all know where the story goes from there. He came to the Lakers from the Heat in the Shaquille O’Neal trade. Ever since the trade he has been showing signs of stardom with his athleticism, but that is quickly followed by maddening inconsistency.
Now that all this love is coming Lamar Odom’s way, it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts in game two tonight. Can he duplicate his performance in game one, or will he fall back into the frustrating trap of inconsistency? Whether or not it was a “lucky game” from Odom in game one is up for debate, but he putting up the kind of numbers that will take the Lakers to the NBA Finals if he even comes close to duplicating them during the rest of the postseason.
Posted by Loyal Homer 
