Lamar Odom Needs to Focus on Basketball and Earn His Contract

It's been a rough winter for Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom.

He was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the New Orleans Hornets as part of the original Chris Paul trade before NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed it.

Odom wasn't happy and then was immediately dealt to Dallas. He's made known even to date his displeasure about being traded from Los Angeles.

Poor baby. Get over it.

The NBA is a business just like any other business in America. Trades happen in the NBA. You don't like your job, then quit.

Apparently Odom almost did.

He experienced an unthinkable tragedy during the summer when his 24-year-old cousin was murdered. Then there was a  fatal car accident days later that killed a teen pedestrian after the car he was riding in as a passenger collided with a motorcycle.

That's a lot to deal with, and Odom nearly decided to take the season off.

It may have been understandable if he did, but since he has decided to play, it's time to be a man and live up to certain responsibilities.

At times it has looked like Odom's head hasn't really been into things, and his production has been atrocious, averaging a career-worst 6.8 points and five rebounds per game.

Odom has no problem collecting his $8.9 million salary for this season, so it's time for him to man up and play for the name on the front of his jersey.

He may not be happy. He may be distracted, but he has a responsibility to the Dallas Mavericks, the NBA and sometimes even the fans to have his head into things this season.

Odom is blessed enough to have the talent to get to put on an NBA uniform every night and get paid handsomely to do so.

It's time he started earning that paycheck.