Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol: A Molecular Bond for the Los Angeles Lakers

On paper (the newspapers and the media, that is) the Lakers are Kobe’s team and have been since Shaq departed after the 2004 season. The Superstar’s trademark is all over the Purple and Gold and rightly so.

But the real chemistry on the Lakers is between Lamar Odom and newly acquired Pau Gasol.

That is not to say that Kobe Bryant has problems sharing the ball with either of them or vice versa. In fact, Kobe has heaped accolades on both big men ever since Gasol was acquired in January. And yes, vice versa. This threesome has become a mutual admiration society.

But the way this front court tandem works so well together is truly a sight to behold. National TV viewers on Sunday got a glimpse of what Lakers fans have been ogling the past two months. The communication between Odom and Gasol is uncanny. They seem to be in each other’s head.

Make no mistake about it, Bryant and the rest of the Lakers have good chemistry, both on and off the court. But Gasol and Odom have great chemistry. There’s a molecular bond between them. Gasol + Odom = PAU-LO.

Earlier in the year, the Lakers BG (Before Gasol) main tandem then was Bryant and Bynum. Odom, the number three go-to was mostly an afterthought. Not that Odom wasn’t putting up good numbers, but he wasn’t the walking double-double every night that he has become since Gasol arrived.

Together, they have averaged 33 PPG, 19.5 rebounds, and 7 assists for the season. In Sundays opening game of their first round series with the Denver Nuggets, they accounted for 53 points, 30 rebounds and 14 assists. That was nearly half of the 33 Lakers assists.

The two small forwards Radmanovic and Walton had 6 assists and 5 assists respectively. Who were they feeding the ball to? Mainly Gasol and Odom.

The entire Lakers back court – Farmar, Vujacic, Fisher and Bryant accounted for only 8 assists. Kobe Bryant only had one. He averaged 5.4 assists during the regular season.

Odom is quickly becoming the go-to guy, not for scoring but just to get the ball in his hands. Odom doesn’t necessarily look to take an outside shot unless it is clearly uncontested. But he will drive to basket like the best of them.  And, if the Lakers can get the ball in his hands, he will usually make something happen.

Odom is a smart player who understands the triangle offense. He is the quarterback of the Lakers front court. Gasol is a quick-study, who picked up the triangle the first few days he joined the team. Then when he stepped on the court, the trade became instantly accretive. Gasol scored 23 points in his Lakers debut against Atlanta while Odom had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Overall, the Lakers are 23-5 with Gasol on the court. The Phoenix Suns on the other hand had to endure a 3-6 record before they figured out how to use Shaquille O’Neal. Those 6 losses cost them the Pacific Division title and a home court, first round match up with a second tier team instead of the Spurs. And Dallas still hasn’t figured out the best way to fit Jason Kidd into their system.

The non-verbal communication between Odom and Gasol is the key to their success. The way the two play off each other and distribute the ball might not be rocket science, but it has definitely created a chemical reaction that is about to dissolve the Denver Nuggets.