On Dec. 11, 2011, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a trade sending one of their best players to the Dallas Mavericks for a first round draft pick and a trade exception i.e more money. An outside observer would surely question this transaction by the Hollywood Lakers. This trade was only made possible because three days earlier the Lakers completed a blockbuster three team deal with the New Orleans Hornets and the Houston Rockets. The result would have left L.A. with point guard Chris Paul, one of the premiere players in the league. The Lakers would have paid a hefty price though, losing two all-star forwards, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom.
What made the situation even more awkward for Odom and the Lakers and created an opportunity for the Mavs to step in was an unexpected and unheard of decision by the league office to veto the three-team blockbuster trade. But, the damage had been done to Odom, who subsequently requested a trade and was then shipped to the defending champion and local tenant Dallas Mavericks.
In Odom’s defense, he has been through more than the average Joe. In 2006, Odom’s six month old son Jayden died in his crib of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Also this past July, a stray bullet struck and killed his 24-year old cousin, someone Odom was incredibly close to. Already emotionally rocked, just two days later on his way to get a haircut Odom witnessed a horrible accident through his car window. A motorcycle lost control and killed a 15-year old pedestrian.
These events put Odom over the top. According to multiple sources, Lamar did not eat for days, did not work out or even pick up a basketball. So distraught, the reigning 6th Man of the Year nearly walked away from the game he loved. Well before any news of a trade came to surface, Odom was on the brink of requesting a year long hiatus from basketball. Lamar consulted his wife, Khloe Kardashian-Odom.
Odom admits that his wife and reality TV superstar Khloe Kardashian played the biggest part in his decision. She talked him back into returning to basketball, and he is very thankful for her. Khloe knows that Lamar’s heart is in the game, but his mind is still recovering from what Odom admits is a process that he is still going through.
Fast forward to present day, after the tragic occurrences in his life and the headline-leading trade that did not happen, leading to a trade that actually did happen, landing Lamar Odom in Dallas with the Mavericks.
Odom leaves the Hollywood spotlight but so does his celebrity wife and the baggage that comes with their relationship and their careers. Through Jan. 26, Odom is unfortunately putting together the worst season of his 13 year career so far. He was even boo’d during the Mavericks loss to the Timberwolves at home on Jan. 25.
Former Plano West student athlete and junior Ridge Shipley, now doing the same with the Hebron Hawks, says the Mavs already have one of the best bench players in the league.
“Not sure what to say about Odom,” Shipley said. “We already have the best 6th man in the league, Jason ‘Jet’ Terry.”
Plano West senior Colby Conner offers his take on the situation,
“Lamar Odom never wanted to leave Los Angeles,” Conner said. “While he now plays for the Mavs, him and Khloe’s hearts will always be in L.A.”
Plano West senior Tommy Garber agrees that the public celebrity marriage could be affecting Odom’s play on the court.
“He looks like he is pressing and forcing tough jump shots instead of working with the flow of the offense,” Garber said. “Another possibility is that he is an emotional person and that he and Khloe could still be settling in to Dallas and the location change could be an added mental factor.”
The trading deadline arrives in March and Odom’s flexible contract makes him a valuable asset on the open market. However, fans here want to see him make whatever is wrong right and help the team try to repeat as NBA champions.
“Whatever is wrong,” Garber said. “I hope he turns it around quickly for the sake of the Mavericks.”
