That said, here's the usual run-down on what Odom will bring to next season's Lakers.
Pros:
Simply put, Odom can do just about everything he puts his mind to.
Rebound, handle, run, jump, shoot from long range, post-up, pass and
defend. All this at either the small forward or the power forward
positions — and even playing center in selected matchups.
More
specifically, he can drive effectively both ways but prefers going left
— and therefore works very hard (mostly with a nifty right-to-left
crossover) to get back to his left hand. He's quite a handful when he
posts on the right block and looks for his lefty jump hook or
turnaround jumper. And he's learned to be aggressive when playing
without the ball.
Cons: His habitual lack of focus is a
problem. Too often, Odom will disappear and not be a factor whatsoever.
This happens perhaps one out of every three games in the regular season
and one game per playoff series. Also, his 3-ball stroke can be flat.
Plus, he exhibits too much ball and body movement at the stripe and is
therefore little better than a lifetime 70 percent shooter from there,
which is slightly below the average league-wide efficiency.
Prognosis:
With both Odom and Ron Artest in the fold, the Lakers are heavy
favorites to repeat. All they need to round out their roster is another
lively big man off the bench — Josh Powell doesn't fill the bill — and
a guard/wing who can provide another reliable scorer off the bench. It
could very well be, however, that if Adam Morrison's leg has healed and
fully regained its strength, he could be the secondary scorer for the
second unit.
Note: The Lakers would have had absolutely no chance to re-sign Odom if there was an NBA franchise in Hershey, Pa.
Let's also look at the most significant of the latest player relocations.
 |
| Andre
Miller, left, will force the Blazers into a more patient offense. Emeka
Okafor, right, is a questionable acquisition for New Orleans. (Ned Dishman / Getty Images) |
Andre Miller to Portland
Pros: He's strong,
smart and can run an offense with clockwork efficiency. When he must,
Miller can also overpower opponents and create his own shots. His
hesitation moves enable him to consistently get to the hoop and finish.
Has incredible court vision and a great drive-and-kick game. Can do a
good job defending screen/rolls.
Cons: Cannot run, shoot from long range or defend any but the slowest point guards in one-on-one situations.
Prognosis:
Miller's presence will force the Blazers to play a more deliberate
style than they have in recent years. This will put even more pressure
on Greg Oden to hasten his development. So even with Miller, Portland's
future still depends on Oden.
Matt Barnes to Orlando
Pros:
He's a high-energy player who can run the floor like a guard. Barnes'
quick hops also make him an effective rebounder and an outstanding
finisher. He has excellent 3-point range and rarely misses open shots.
Cons:
Takes far too many ill-advised shots, especially in fast-break or early
offensive situations. His lefty handle is weak. Worst of all, Barnes is
a below-average defender.
Prognosis: If he learns to
differentiate between good shots and bad ones, Barnes could be a
streaky but potentially dynamic scorer off the bench. A probable plus
for the Magic.
Jamario Moon to Cleveland
Pros: This guy
is one of the best all-around athletes in the league. He can run, jump
and change direction like a Hall of Famer. Moon is a highlight finisher
on the break. Can also knock down treys and play aggressive defense.
Cons:
His incredible skills remain somewhat unsophisticated. Doesn't see the
court well enough to make judicious passes and he makes mucho mistakes
in executing half-court sets.
Prognosis: If the Cavs can
get him to slow down and look before he leaps, Moon could be a huge
addition who greatly enhances their championship hopes.
Tyson Chandler to Charlotte
Pros:
A quick jumper and eager shot-blocker, especially when coming from the
weak side. Can outrun most other centers. Does a good job of spinning
off of top-heavy interior defenders and making himself available for
lob passes. Except for some lefty jump hooks, put-backs, and duck-under
moves, Chandler's primary offense is generated by his slipping screens
and dunking the resultant lob passes.
 |
| Foul prone and injury prone, Tyson Chandler is likely to frustrate Larry Brown. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images) |
Cons: Is very soft and can be bullied. Can't pass or score
when stationed in the low post but gets upset when he doesn't get
sufficient touches. When opposing players take the ball right at him
and then execute a convincing pump fake, Chandler is so intent on
blocking shots that more often than not he'll commit a foul. Is both
foul prone and injury prone. A poor free-throw shooter.
Prognosis:
Is the perfect eraser in a zone defense, and the perfect backup. Unless
the Bobcats come up with a more stalwart starting center, Larry Brown
will be hard on Chandler's case all season long.
Emeka Okafor to New Orleans
Pros: Big, strong body and sure-handed rebounder. Will block his share of shots.
Cons:
His post-up moves are very crude and depend more on power than
technique. A poor passer, Okafor is a turnover looking for a place to
happen. Has trouble defending opponents who can face-up and go. Another
below-average shooter from the stripe. Lacks the foot speed to provide
Chris Paul with the screen/roll options that Chandler did. Is grossly
overpaid.
Prognosis: Plays better without the ball than
with it. Could turn out to be the kind of lane-clogger that will limit
the flexibility of the Hornets' half-court offense.
Drew Gooden to Dallas
Pros:
Plays hard. Likes to post-up on left box and execute either his go-to
move — a right-handed jump-hook — or a turnaround jumper. Also looks to
spin on his drives. Can rebound, handle some, and block an occasional
shot.
Cons: Is a streaky shooter who stubbornly tries to
shoot his way through dry spells. Has slowed down to a noticeable
degree and since he's always had trouble defending quick players off
the dribble, his defense is now highly questionable.
Prognosis:
Gooden is a career under-achiever and the Mavs are the seventh team
he'll play with during the course of his (soon-to-be) nine years in the
league. As such, Dallas is the latest outfit to believe it can prompt
Gooden to fulfill his potential. Could be a useful player off the bench
who should be quickly yanked when he misses three shots in succession.
[uredio madmax17 - 31. srpnja 2009. u 11:16]