Lamar Odom Is The Ultimate X-Factor
June 15, 2009 – 10:45 am by Tas MelasLamar Odom is an NBA champion; this fact may ’cause some to scratch their heads. Many peg the man’s play as erratic, often AWOL, and very much a tease – and, they would be right. Kobe and Pau Gasol have been rocks, Trevor Ariza has been extremely solid, and Derek Fisher showed up when needed. Lamar Odom is an enigma, but when he steps up as he did in the Finals, look out. He is the Lakers’ emotional leader in many ways – his teammates dance around pre-game. Three out of the five games versus Orlando, he stepped on the floor with a purpose. You combine that purpose with skill and you have one of the most talented complimentary players in the game. He contributed in each of the five games and Kobe helped get him going a little bit. I’m not giving the credit to Kobe though – as much as the media marvels at Bryant’s focus, Odom remembered last year’s failure as well. Congrats, Lamar. Odom joined The Dan Patrick Show this morning to discuss how much sleep he got last night, how the team celebrated, and what surprised him during game five.
How much sleep did you get last night?
“Just a little bit, just enough to make it to the bus, I guess. (Host: What time did you get to bed and what time did you have to get up?) We had to get up about 9:30, I got to bed about 9:00.”
How did you guys celebrate?
“In style. We did it together. We’re rock stars. We had a great show last night. We had all our family and friends and a great dinner to cap off the night, everybody just kinda stayed up and hung out.”
What surprised you last night during the game?
“To be absolutely truthful, nothing. We had one thing in mind after being humbled the way we were in Boston, and that was to win a championship. It was good to do so, to obtain the goal. (Host: Do you smell like champagne right now?) Yes. I love it.”
Listen to Lamar Odom on The Dan Patrick Show
Tags: Basketball, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA, Orlando Magic
