Has Lamar Odom Arrived As L.A. Lakers Second Star?

The AM Take: Last October, I appeared on Game Points, a sports radio show based out of Montreal, Canada. The topic, of course, was basketball, specifically the upcoming NBA season. 

Halfway through the segment, I was asked to name the player most in need of a breakthrough year. Instead answering with Kwame Brown or Darko Milicic, I offered up Lamar Odom.

Don’t get me wrong. I, along with the few remaining Grizzly fans, am still waiting for Brown and The Human Victory Cigar to produce.

And Odom is far from a bust; he’s a well-established pro. Few can drop 15 points, grab 11 rebounds, guard four positions on defence, and dish dimes without breaking much of a sweat.

But I’ve always expected more from the forward. Too often, he seemed content watching the Kobe-show instead of establishing himself as the Lakers’ second option. And as a Clipper, his best work came shuffling shoulders in rapper Jadakiss’ Knock Yourself Out video.

    (Wait for 3:16 of the clip) 

Forgive me for sounding harsh, but Odom has all-world talent. After one year at Rhode Island, he was dubbed The Next Magic. And between runs in L.A, he had an impressive season in Miami.

Since Pau Gasol’s injury, we’ve seen more of his superb skill-set. Over his last five games, Odom has averaged 19 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. On Monday, he kept the stat guy busy with an eye-popping 23 points, 21 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocks.

Odom must stay aggressive even after Gasol returns. L.A.’s championship aspirations depend on it.

How important is Odom to the Lakers? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. Click here to read Oly’s blog and get his daily AM Take.