| |
|
Maverick Odom changes colors
By Nicholai R. Roska PhilBoxing.com Thu, 15 Dec 2011

LOS ANGELES -- He's 6-foot-10 long and 230 pounds large. He can shoot, pass, rebound, play respectable defense, and light the hardcourt with his winning, infectious smile.
There sure is a lot to like about Lamar Odom.
His career averages --- 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 1.0 rebound per game -- won't take him straight to the Hall of Fame. But Odom's all-around skills help wins championships, like he did in 2009 and 2010 while playing alongside Kobe Bryant and the fabulous Los Angeles Lakers.
Unfortunately for diehard Lakers fans, Odom has left the Staples Center. He is taking his talents to Dallas, where he eventually landed early this week following a botched Chris Paul trade that would have packaged Odom to New Orleans.
Odom didn't necessarily like leaving L.A. At age 32, with thousands of miles on his hoops-weary knees, Odom, like most veterans, prefer continuity as opposed to change.
But Dallas and the defending champion Mavericks are ecstatic to have last year's NBA sixth man of the year awardee in their roster.
"Just watching him over the years, I'm a big fan of his game because he's an all-around player," said NBA Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki. "He can bring the ball up, he can shoot, he can post. He's a great decision-maker with the ball and one of the best passing big men in the league today. So, we should be able to have fun with each other."
Odom's arrival comes at a critical time when the Mavericks defend their title without center Tyson Chandler, who was lured by the the New York Knicks with a four-year deal worth $58 million.
Ever the consummate pro, Odom has quickly accepted his fate. "I have a lot of pride being on this team and playing with the defending champions to try and help them defend their title."
Considering that his paycheck was a reasonable $8.9 million a year, it is quite puzzling why the Lakers would dispose an asset as valuable as Lamar Odom. Maybe the next few days, or trades, will provide answers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy , Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026“While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition , Sat, 30 May 2026MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California , Sat, 30 May 2026Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20 By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA , Fri, 29 May 202620 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams , Fri, 29 May 2026RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo , Fri, 29 May 2026Taguig boxing clinic starts By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award , Thu, 28 May 2026FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON , Thu, 28 May 2026Tank Davis could return later this year By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19 , Thu, 28 May 2026‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event , Thu, 28 May 2026Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026McHugh next for Dy By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026Sweat, Smiles & Strategy: Ador Torres Helps Tim Tszyu Sharpen Up for Errol Spence By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 May 2026Benavidez receives the Tollan Tlatequi WBC belt in Mexico City By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026Llover ready to fight Angeletti on June 6 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 May 2026Tyson Fury could return in Dublin on August 1st By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 27 May 2026Long After the Cheers: Luisito Espinosa…Battle of Manila Bay 2…and an Unofficial World Record Worth Remembering By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 27 May 2026Undefeated Knockout Artist Jordan Orozco (16-0, 16 KOs) Continues Rapid Ascent as One of Boxing’s Most Exciting Young Stars , Wed, 27 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Secures 13 Medals at 2026 Copa America , Wed, 27 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|