17 and 16 with 2 assists, 0 turnovers. That’s the kind of game we drool over when it comes to Lamar. He’s shown so much promise in so many different stretches (2006 playoffs and the 2003-04 season), and yet, at 28, he has yet to live up to that potential.
I’m a big Lamar fan. He’s long. He’s got handles. He’s got great court vision. He’s unique. There isn’t another player in the league quite like him. A player who can get you a double double in points and rebounds and throw in five plus assists on top of that. He’s got a bit of range, can occasionally hit the three, and he can bring the ball up. He can guard shooting guards and power forwards, can post and drive. He can do pretty much everything.
And yet, sometimes he can’t do anything. He’ll get lost for long stretches of games where you’ll forget he’s even playing.
He made me a true fan last year during the playoffs. The Lakers were facing elimination by the Phoenix Suns and Lamar’s future with the Lakers looked like a foregone conclusion that he wouldn’t be with them by the start of the 07-08 training camp.
Everyone but Kobe had given up. You could see it in their lack of hustle, lack of fire. Lamar had every reason to mail it in as well. He was playing with a torn labrum in his shoulder, a hyper-extended elbow and a heavy heart from the death of his son.
Instead of give up, Lamar poured out his heart and soul. He fought for every rebound. He gave up his body. Dove for loose balls. Banged with Marion and Diaw and Amare. His performance in the loss inspired me so much that I signed onto his website and wrote him a message and thanked him for his efforts. I’ve never done anything like that before, but I was too moved by his effort and I had to let him know that he was appreciated by at least one fan.
So keep up the good work LO. I’m cheering for you.
Keywords: Amare, Diaw, double double, Kobe, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, Marion, Phoenix Suns
