Los Angeles Lakers: Should Phil Jackson Move Lamar Odom to the Starting Five?
The Lakers are currently sitting in the second spot in the West behind the San Antonio Spurs, while going an impressive 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Kobe seems to be fulfilling his role as a veteran leader and the other Lakers have followed in his footsteps, especially veteran sixth man Lamar Odom.
In one of his better years as a Laker, Odom has really taken his game to another level, averaging 15.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 2.9 APG off the bench.
Now wouldn't it be hard for someone to question those type of numbers off the bench? Well, some fans are doing exactly that, arguing that Odom should be starting over either Ron Artest or Andrew Bynum, which is somewhat of a puzzling argument, but very relevant as of now.
For a player who has thrived coming off the bench, Odom has always been looked at a sixth man, not a starter, but has it come to a point where Odom deserves to start over a struggling Artest, or a limited-playing-time Bynum?
Well, in this slide show, I will be listing five reasons why Odom should start and five reasons why Odom should continue to come off the bench as the Lakers' sixth-man. At the end of the article, I will be giving my verdict of the situation. Hope you enjoy!
Yes 5. Numbers Don't Lie
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Whether it was playing for the U.S. FIBA World Championship team, or it was simply just a good offseason for veteran forward Lamar Odom, there has definitely been a noticeable improvement in Odom's game, especially in the stats.
During last season, Odom averaged 10.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 3.3 APG. Though the rebounds and assists category are virtually identical, the jump from 10.8 PPG to 15.6 PPG is comparable to night and day.
Common sense would indicate that Odom's numbers would increase even more if he started, so looking at it in this way, Coach Jackson should seriously consider starting Odom over either Artest or Bynum, most likely Bynum, moving Gasol to the center position.
Yes 4. Speed
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If Coach Jackson wanted to start Odom, the odd man out would be Bynum; Gasol could play the center position and Odom could play power forward.
Some may argue that Odom would bring more speed and quickness with a slower and bigger Bynum out, and honestly that's just mere common sense. Odom is arguably one of the quickest and most versatile big men in the league today. Why not use his advantages?
Though it may be narrow-minded, the reality is there: With Odom in the lineup, the Lakers would be faster and quicker on both ends of the floor, also possibly resulting in more fast breaks and a better perimeter force.
The advantages are obviously there and Odom is definitely not a liability on defense. Honestly, why isn't Odom starting as we speak?
Yes 3. Another Ball Handler
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If there is one aspect of Odom's game that separates him from other players his size, it has to be his scary ability to handle the ball like a point guard.
The man has a cross-over that can make most defenders stutter, and he can also go between the legs whenever he pleases. It is no wonder that some even go as to far as comparing him with the great Magic Johnson—and to be fair the comparisons are respectable, at least when it comes to ball-handling.
With Odom starting, the Lakers would have another viable ball-handler on the floor, which would also become an advantage on the offensive end, with other defenders his size having to deal with his ability to take it to the rack whenever he feels like it.
There is no arguing that Derek Fisher is approaching the end of his career, so Odom starting would no doubt take a little load off the veteran guard, which could also open up Fisher for some outside shots, and honestly that is what Fisher should concentrate on the most.
Yes 2. Bynum Off the Bench
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If Odom were to start over Bynum, there may be the slight chance that Bynum in turn performs at a higher level—who knows, maybe Bynum was meant to come off the bench?
Obviously Bynum has never in his career come off the bench, but maybe with more rest and less pressure, the talented big man could prove to be better in limited minutes and may even become the next big sixth man. Though Bynum already doesn't play too much, it may help relieve some pressure; keep in mind that he is still very young.
Yes 1. Spread the Floor
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The biggest advantage that Odom would bring to the table would be the fact that he would force other teams to come and guard him beyond the three-point line, resulting in a far more spread-out court for other Lakers.
Odom would no doubt open up the lane for Kobe, Gasol and Brown, which would in turn open up more shots for outside shooters such as Steve Blake, Derek Fisher and Shannon Brown.
Overall, Odom would bring a lot to the table as a starter, and it is hard to argue against it. Odom coming off the bench is a viable argument and the more and more one thinks about the situation, the more sense it might make for Coach Jackson to consider making a change in the starting lineups.
No 5. Why Stop What Is Already Working?
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Though Odom is averaging great numbers this year, there is no guarantee that more minutes converts into better stats.
Every player is fit for a specific type of role, and from watching Odom over the years as a Lakers, he has no doubt played better off the bench. There have been times when Odom has started, due to injuries or other factors, but it does not take a rocket scientist to see the differences from when Odom starts and when he comes off the bench.
Odom has been known as one of the best sixth men in the league for years now, why disrupt a working pattern?
No 4. Disruption in the Rotation
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One of the most important aspects to a team is how well they "mesh" together, also known as team chemistry.
This group of Lakers, at least the starting five along with Odom, have been playing long enough with each other to have a good feel of what it's like when a team comes together as a unit.
If Odom were to become a starter, there is a definite possibility that the team chemistry of the Lakers would be disrupted, which is not something a championship-caliber team can afford.
No 3. You Can't Teach Size
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There are many things in life that cannot be taught, or bought, and one of them is the natural gift of height. Once again, if Odom were to start over Bynum, there would be an obvious decrease in size and strength.
The reason Bynum is starting at this moment is because of his ability to guard other big centers in the league and because of his strength advantage down low.
Odom would bring more speed and quickness, but that would be at the expense of size and strength, which come playoff time isn't always a viable trade.
No 2. Energy Off the Bench
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Lamar Odom plays his role as a sixth-man to perfection, coming off the bench and immediately sparking energy and flow in the game.
Odom starting would take away that energy off the bench, which is also a "safety net" for the Lakers in case they are struggling, and there aren't many players that could fill that void with Odom starting.
Bynum isn't exactly the man you want coming off the bench, and Odom's energy and leadership off the bench certainly have been overlooked over the years.
No 1. Leadership for the Second Unit
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The biggest reason why Odom should come off the bench is the fact that the Lakers' second unit needs Odom on the floor as a leader to operate; without Odom on the floor with the bench players, there wouldn't be a player that could consistently lead the second unit to success.
Odom is a veteran forward in the league and though many argue that he should start, his role has always been to be the best sixth man in the league, and he has proved he is just that.
Some players are born to be starters, maybe even superstars, and some are born to come off the bench. Odom just happens to fit a bench players more than a starter, though he obviously has the skills, talent and confidence to do so.
The Lakers' bench needs Odom, and Odom needs the bench; the two were meant for each other and honestly there is no shame in making a living coming off the bench—I mean, he has basically made a name off of it already.
Conclusion: Lamar Odom Should Come Off the Bench
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Here's the verdict: Lamar Odom needs to remain as the Lakers' sixth man, for many viable reasons obviously.
There are many advantages that could come from Odom starting, but there is one aspect that no one can argue against: Odom was meant to be the best sixth man in the league.
The saying, "Why change something that is already working" could not be any more true, and for a man that has all of the talent in the world, the bench isn't anything for Odom to be ashamed of.
So Coach Jackson, please keep Odom in the rotation at the sixth spot and do your second unit a favor, because without Odom, the "Killer B's" just wouldn't be the same.
