When Odom was traded from the Lakers to the Mavs, I was concerned. He seemed like he was really upset that he was being moved out of LA. Plus, he’s always been kind of sensitive. So, this comes as no surprise, but it is kind of sad and concerning. Lamar was talking about his recent slump:
“I just missed shots I normally make. It’s kind of like an exclamation for the start of the season for myself. I’m not myself yet.
“All I can do is remain patient. An old friend of mine used to tell me, ‘It’s not what you’re gonna do. It’s what can you do. What can you do?’
“You can’t go off that. I can be upset at myself. I can fake body language and act like I’m not upset, but I expect more out of myself than you could ever expect out of me.”
“I’ve been a good basketball player since I can remember. If you expect me to play well, then you can just imagine what I expect out of myself.”
Lamar sounds depressed. I know he misses LA, but he’s not really being helped here by not being able to find a clear role. He was the sixth man of the year in LA, but in Dallas, we don’t know what he is. I don’t think he does either. That’s got to be bothersome.
If the Mavs have any sense, they are going to try to recreate his situation in LA as best as possible. Make him the SIXTH man. Let him come in and be the offense when the regular offense isn’t working. Let him be the rebounding when the regular rebounding isn’t working. Let him be the guy who can come in and everyone breathes a sigh of relief.
That’s how this will work out.
