Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Everything has come around full circle for Lamar Odom. The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Odom 4th overall in 1999. 13 seasons and 3 teams later, Odom is back where it all started.
Odom played his first 4 seasons with the Clippers. When he became a free agent, Odom was acquired by the Miami Heat. His time there lasted for 1 season until he was traded to another team in Los Angeles.
Odom arguably played the best basketball of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, especially in the back to back championship years of 2009 and 2010. When he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks following the 2010-11 season, he barely even showed up. Now Odom finds himself back in the city where his NBA career began. Only this time he won’t be wearing purple and gold, he’ll be wearing red and blue.
For their sake, the Clippers would like to see the 2010-11 Odom. That season Odom was awarded the Sixth Man Of The Year award. Odom will probably not even be in the conversation for the award, but if he can get as close to that player he was as possible, the Clippers will be very pleased.
Odom is as versatile as it gets. He is a 6 foot 10, 230 pound forward who has the ability to play all 5 positions. Not to mention he has always had the potential to start on any team in the league. The Clippers however do not need Odom to be a starter; they just need him to come solid off the bench.
It should also be noted that emotions have a lot to do with Odom’s production on the court. When the Lakers traded him to the Mavericks, Odom went into shut down mode. He put up the worst numbers of his career because he wasn’t happy. He felt hurt by the Lakers and his game on the court showed his feelings.
So which Odom will the Clippers get? Will they get the sixth man of the year Odom? The only way they will get that kind of production out of Odom is if Blake Griffin, who recently said he’s ready to go, is out for a considerable amount of time.
Or perhaps they will get a solid player who will come off the bench and give solid, consistent numbers. Given where Odom is in his career, and the fact that he has come around full circle, one thing is certain; he will be a much happier player. And a happy Odom will translate on the court for the Clippers in the upcoming season.
