Lakers-Blazers: Lamar Odom Unimpressive in Loss to Portland

Lamar Odom better get his licks on now.

Once again, the enigma wrapped in a mystery costumed in Lakers uniform known as Lamar Odom had a typical Lamar Odom game. The chronic underachiever dropped a whopping 11 points on a depleted Trail Blazer squad Tuesday night while adding five rebounds and three assists.

And in typical Lamar Odom fashion he turned to punk and thug towards the end of the third quarter.

In a Bill Laimbeer like move (if you can’t beat them then make them bleed) Odom took the initiative to cheap shot Brandon Roy. What ensued next has to be extremely encouraging to Blazer fans everywhere.

With Brandon Roy still on the ground, and through the cascade of gasps for Roy's condition and boos or the flagrant non-attempt on the ball, Travis Outlaw and LaMarcus Aldridge decided enough was enough with Odom. Words were exchanged between the three and shoves were traded, resulting in a double technical for Odom and Outlaw. But what came out of that was much more important.

The Blazers finally showed some fire and fight when it came to protecting their own. The toughness of assistant coach Maurice Lucas, the determination of Nate McMillian and the grittiness of injured center Joel Przybilla was finally manifested in the way that Outlaw and Aldridge went to ‘discuss’ the situation with Odom.

That is a good sign if you are a Blazer fan. Last year, and even earlier this year, the team would not have responded like this. It is proof that McMillian is getting to them. His philosophies are starting to show through. And this team is beginning to become a reflection of their head coach.

As far as Odom goes; God save him if he tries that next year with Przybilla and Oden in the game.

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