There was a full day of basketball on Sunday on ABC. Watching the Spurs take on the Lakers, I was able to watch one of my favorite players in the game, Lamar Odom, back in action. Odom was out for about month with a sprained knee. In his second game back, he had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the Lakers' 96-94 OT loss to the Spurs.
I've always been a big fan of players who can play multiple positions and do everything a team needs. Odom is exactly that type of player. He's averaging 17 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, and 5 assists per game this season in what is being called a career year for Odom.
Throughout his career he's been criticized for being too laid back and lackadaisical in his play. Despite those accusations, his stats this season are on par with his career numbers. Truth be told though, he does appear more comfortable in Phil Jackson's triangle offense this season than he did last.
I really became a big fan of Odom's during the 2004 Summer Olympics, if you can believe that. In Team USA's eight games in Athens, Odom started every game playing the forward position alongside Tim Duncan and Richard Jefferson. Odom averaged 9 points and six rebounds per game during the Olympics but it was his hustle and attitude throughout the tournament that impressed me the most.
Lamar Odom is the ultimate mismatch in basketball, both offensively and defensively. Offensively, he can handle the ball like a guard. Oftentimes, Odom will grab the defensive rebound and bring it up court himself.
And when he crosses half-court, there's not much Odom can't do, he's one of the best passers in the league. During the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Spurs, Odom threw a pinpoint lob pass from the three point arc to a cutting Kobe Bryant.
Odom can also score from anywhere on the floor. He has a very underrated post game which he shows when being guarded by a smaller opponent. In addition to the low post game, Odom is shooting 34% from three point range. Oh, did I mention he's 6-11?
The offensive side of the ball isn't the only place Odom causes matchup problems though. Using his 6-11 frame, Odom can gaurd any position on the court. During the Spurs game on Sunday alone, Odom took his turn guarding Duncan, Tony Parker, Michael Finley, and Fabricio Oberto. His long arms and fairly quick feet are a nightmare for opposing teams.
Though he's gotten a bad rep in the past because of drug problems, questions of work ethic, and playing with the Clippers' teams of the late 90's/early 2000's, Odom is one of my favorite players to watch and easily one of the most talented players in the entire NBA. Watch him closely whenever you get a chance and just appreciate all of the things he can do on the court.
