I just think the Lakers are going to need a shooter at the three spot to stretch the defense. With two seven footers in the lineup, the Lakers are going to be more half-court than ever.

And I don’t think Odom can defend opposing small forwards. But as Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold mentioned, Jackson may switch up his defensive philosophy and funnel opposing players into Gasol and Bynum next year. If so, Odom’s defense could be ideal.

We’ll see. Either way, he’s going to get starter’s minutes.

A guy who comes off the bench needs to do something other what Odom does, which is do many little things well, but not one thing on an above-average level. His value is in his size and versatility, and nothing else. Guys like that need to play in starting lineup, especially in the triangle, where their ability to do whatever is needed is an asset.

He can post up smaller guys in the post and then find the open man with a pass. He can knock down the open jumper. He can run the floor. He’s the wild card in the deck. A guy like that almost always starts. Look at Tayshaun Prince, Adrian Griffin–started most of the games during his three years in Dallas and first year in Boston–, Ira Newble, Bo Outlaw–started a lot in his first eight seasons–, etc. Of course, Odom has more talent than, say, Outlaw, but my point in bringing these guys up is that, like Odom, their strengths were found in their intangibles. And the intangible guys don’t do much to hurt the team, but they do need the minutes on the floor to be effective. Look at Boris Diaw… he was at his best when starting (he didn’t start because Marion was in front of him, and he didn’t shoot well enough–D’Antoni liked his threes to shoot). But Diaw starting is a really good player; off the bench, an afterthought.

I feel the same about Odom. He needs to get the minutes to be an effective contributor. He might come off the bench next year, but he’ll still get starter’s minutes. He has to, otherwise he’ll be worthless.

What’s wrong with starting Odom at the three with Bynum and Gasol up front? I think that would be ideal.

King_Kaun – It’s next to impossible to get equal value for a player as versatile as Odom. He provides intangibles that don’t appear in a box score. I don’t think winning the Sixth Man of the Year award would mean Odom is deserving of a big pay day. In fact, I think it would have the opposite effect. No team in the NBA — Sixth Man of the Year award or not — is going to sign Odom to a contract that will pay him $14 million a season. It’s not going to happen.

dusty – Kobe’s 34% from the three-point line is pretty impressive when you look at how many 3’s he attempts over the course of a season. But I agree with your opinion of Odom’s impact with the second unit. He did a great job leading the bench mob.

A-Train – Where did Kevin McHale fall in your ‘bench material’ categories? I don’t think Lamar Odom is a small forward. He may end up starting there to begin the season, and he may end up finishing the season there, but I doubt he plays the bulk of his minutes at that position. I don’t think he has the athleticism to defend opposing 3’s and the perimeter shooting that will be required to stretch the defense with Bynum and Gasol down low.

He’s not a scorer. He’s not a banger. He’s not a point. He’s not a defensive specialist. He’s not a scrub either. He makes a lot of money ($14.6 million).

He’s a starting NBA three, plain and simple. He has to start.

besides, KOBE!! can get off whenever he wants at 34% from 3 lifetime.

His long history of bad games in the clutch is staggering… let’s just pretend he stays a Laker and a starter and puts up killer numbers for L.A. in the regular season…trust me…the dude will still find a way to cost the team a crucial victory or two in the playoffs. He always does…he “disappears” in big games.

trade. trade. trade.

I’m also not convinced Odom would think shooting for the ‘6th man’ award would net him a big payday. Odom does not necessarily need a pay cut. We aren’t talking about MARBURY coming off a max contract or anything like that. Remember when TONS AND TONS of ‘talking heads’ were saying that Brand and Baron wouldn’t opt out cuz no one would pay them near what they were making….

…well look what happened… Im sure I could come up with at least 10 teams in the league who would pay him 14 million…

TRADE: Odom for Marion

Odom returns to Miami and Marion would now play for Hoffman’s favorite team and Hoffman would be forced to love him a la Kwame Brown!! BRILLIANT!!!

Coming off the bench requires mental preparation to stay ready, stay loose, and understand the flow of the game. Also, Odom probably won’t be involved early in games, because he’ll be on the bench, and he may not be able to make the rapid adjustment to game-action.

Odom almost has to be a starter and has to be a featured player to succeed. For himself and the Lakers, that might come true on another team.