Lamar will be great expect the best of the lakers this year we are in LA

dodgers,<br />How many of those games did Perkins beat us? NONE

Biggamejames,<br />A little lost? I'd say most of the Finals. I'll bet they would do a better job at center than Odom. And they'd still beat him.

dodger,<br />Yes Odom looked a little lost covering bostons CENTERS, but thats not his normal position or even his secondary position. Lets see Paul Peirce or Artest play center.

Just wait until Bynumback comes back.

FYI, Odom is not a small forward. He's more of a point forward. Odom would rather run the offense than make strong cuts to the basket or be shooting from the wing.

Brownsuga,<br />Always a pleasure to share basketball thoughts with you. Maybe this could be the year that Odom does show heart and become the player we all want him to be. Or maybe this past season is as good as he will ever achieve. Till he grows some huevos and plays strong, he's on a very short leash. <br /><br />MrAlvis, You say Odom's too small to guard power forwards. He's also too weak to guard strong small forwards. Pierce, Lebron, Artest, and other notable 3s will dominate him. Odom's not the player that defenders fear. Even Phil Jackson said that Odom looked lost in the Finals. Not to mention, he disappears in tight situations. <br /><br />I can only imagine cringing when Odom goes to the bench or moves to the 4 and PJ brings in Walton or Radmanovic. Man, the Lakers bench is weak at the frontcourt. Maybe Phil should make Ariza the starter and bring Odom off the bench. In any case, after this upcoming season, Odom will no longer be a headcase for the Lakers due to his expiring contract. I can only hope Kobe decides to stay, Bynum gets an extension, Walton & Radmanovic are traded, and Kupchump is replaced by Jerry West.

i believe that once all the lakers are in the proper place we will see a b-ball force that we have not seen in a long time. Odom is going to do just fine at the sm forward position that is what he is built for, he's too small to bang with some of those big forwards. If they can keep this team together and not let them implode they can make a run at several championships before it is all said and done. All the laker haters out there if your team was not Boston you just need to stay quite because all the rest only got to watch the finals

Dodgers.... Truly respect your opinion but as Biggame said due Odom not playing his natural position how do any of us know what kind of game he's going to have. Let's see how this season plays itself out. Granted, Odom heart is a big issue with his play I feel giving him another chance my change all of that!!

Biggamejames,<br />We've had numerous debates on Odom. It's painfully clear that he is not the answer at small forward (neither is Walton or Radmanovic). Yes, he did paly of out position for some time but the Finals brought to light what Odom really is; a player with no heart and an underachiever. The Lakers can't afford to give him time to become a great player. He's been in the league long enough to understand that he needs to step up in tough situations. An Artest, Posey, Prince, or Marion would have resolved many issues.

DanFan, <br />I agree with you on questions of heart are among the Lakers. You might even say that why are some of these garbage players making too much money. Any player who lacks heart and/or is garbage does not deserve to wear a Laker uniform. I just hope Bynum's presence brings some intensity in these soft players.

How is Brynum down for nine months when Mark Sanchez is down for nine days? And Mark is in a contact sport,being chased by 250 lb linebackers?

Just curious, we got two major players in LA w/same condition, dislocated knee cap, Brynum goes down for nine mos, Mark Sanchez goes down for nine days!!!! And Mark is in a contact sport being chased by 300 lb lineman, whas up with that?

dvf

God...I can't wait for this to START!!!! I need to get the stench of that absolutely hummiliating defeat to start fading in the past. What a just absolutely horrible game to have to dwell on. Really makes me wonder about the 'heart' of some of these players. I am so over the 'Jordan/Kobe' comparison....but Jordan would NEVER EVER EVER got bent over and pounded for 39 points like we did. Would have liked to have seen Lamar get traded, as it's quite clear he doesn't give a rats...<br /><br />Hopefully Bynum will show some of these sticks on our team what it means to care is you get dunked on.

I can't believe Minaya has actually convinced himself that his actions were justified. He couldn't wait until the guy touched down in NY? Gimme a break. Have u guys heard that he ever appeared on the famous hot Sexy*wealthy dating club **R I C H M A T C H M A K I N G. C O M** for hot singles to hook up for Hot Love and Sexy Dating? There are his hot photos and Lots of hot girls are found in his circle there. I've been there for day, it seems the girls are not hard to hook up.lol

It's great to hear Bynum declare himself as being healthy. There's nothing wrong with having a positive attitude when it comes to your health!!

dunhillhilton,<br />Odom is a liability at his position? How would you know, being as he hasn't been able to play his natural position (small forword) since coming to the Lakers?

Lakers!!!

He was interviewed here on a local LA station last week and he said he's been doing "full contact" drills(which he hadn't done since he got hurt). When asked about his explosiveness, he said, "I feel more explosive than before." He lost a lot of body fat (down to 9%) and also put on some muscle... he's at 285lbs (compared to 275 last season) when he went down.<br /><br />Should be exciting to watch the tallest front court ever!