Lakers-Jazz: Lamar Odom's Performace Will Be Crucial in Game Six

The Los Angeles Lakers have the chance to win the series against the Utah Jazz on Friday in Utah.

Lamar Odom, I believe, is the key to the Lakers' success.

Most of the time you can count on Kobe Bryant to score 25+ points, and take a lot of pressure of his teammates.

You can almost guarantee that Pau Gasol will have a solid game down low, score about 18 points, grab eight rebounds, and on some occasions dish three or four assists.

Odom, though, is unpredictable. There is no doubt that he is a talented player, still has yet to play to his full potential. Some nights, Odom will come out aggressively, driving in or grabbing the offensive rebound and dunking it in. Other nights, he comes out slowly and tentatively, trying to avoid contact and lay it in close to the basket, rather than dunking it in.

That is just one thing.

Odom is an underrated shooter, and should be taking more shots. He shoots consistently at 50 percent, but only averages ten shots a game. Some nights he will take the jump shot when the defender sags off, other nights he pushes that extra pass.

Sometimes the pass is the right option if the teammate is in a better position to score—but often that player is not.

If Odom comes out strong and plays aggressively on Friday the Lakers will wrap up the series. If he doesn't the Jazz are in with a real chance to send the series back to LA tied 3-3.

Especially now with Kobe Bryant's back injury, Odom should take more responsibility on the offensive end. He is the key to the Lakers success.