Odom says he is confused, hurt by boos in Dallas

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrobasketballtalk

For years, Lamar Odom seemed to torment Dallas they way he did many opposing teams — there is no more versatile big man in the game, a guy who can grab the rebound and lead the fast break himself. He can play in the post or drain threes. He’s a matchup nightmare.

Then he has gotten to Dallas after a preseason trade and had his worst season as a pro. For a variety of reasons — he came into camp out of shape and after a rough personal offseason his game has never gotten on track. He is averaging a career low 6.8 points per game on 34 percent shooting. He went from a PER of 19.4 last year and being Sixth Man of the Year to 8.9 this year.

And Mavericks fans are letting him hear it. He is getting booed. He will again Tuesday night when the Mavericks host the Rockets.

Odom said Monday that he is hurt by this, as reported by the Mavs blog at the Dallas Morning News.

“I’ve always had a lot of pride to play for the name on the back of my jersey. I’ve always been more prideful to play for the name that’s on the front of my jersey — whether it be USA or whether it be the Mavericks or the other team I came from. I always had a lot of pride.

“So it was a little confusing and a little hurtful, but it’s the sport world. I understand. We’re in a business that it’s all about what have you done lately, or the last game or the next game?”

Odom is a different cat from your average NBA player. He’s seen a lot more, been through a lot more. He’s not the best at compartmentalizing his life — what happens off the court impacts him on it — but he sees the bigger picture and that’s why he said he doesn’t get angry at the fans for the boos.

“I would say confused. I wouldn’t say angry, because there are a lot of sides to Lamar Odom, know what I mean? Sportsman is one of them. I’m a father, a husband, someone’s son, someone’s cousin. So there’s a lot of roles that I have to play in life. Basketball is just one of them. So I can’t let it get me angry because I have a lot of other roles to fulfill.”

Mavs fans can boo if they want. If it makes them feel better. But if they are going to have any chance at another deep playoff run, they are going to need to old Lamar Odom to show up.

 

[MR.ballin]

Jesus this guy is a baby.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Jesus this guy is a baby.

Really? You serious? After what he's gone through in his life, you're going to call him a baby?

GTFO

 

[cruzg24]

I think Lamar needs to get back to the basics and focus more on his game, rather than focusing on what the fans are doing. At the end of the day, he can still play like he once did. He just has to understand his role on the team which is different than what it was on the Lakers.

 

[MR.ballin]

Really? You serious? After what he's gone through in his life, you're going to call him a baby?

GTFO

So what? He has a job and that is to play basketball. I don't get why he's so offended by the boo's. He was brought to Dallas for a reason and all he's been doing is been playing terrible there. You act like he should be playing poor because of his personal issues. Most players have personal issues and it's their jobs to shrug it off and give it their all when playing. If anything the booing should motivate him instead of him getting hurt over something dumb like that.

 

[Pugz]

its been a tough year for him. those fans are pricks anyways. but the boos shouldnt bother him, work through them. i wanna see him leave there and go where is feels he can bring back his talents and help them.

 

[Mexi]

I kinda wish the Lakers traded Pau for pieces and kept Odom as PF with Bynum. they played great together

 

[playmaker7]

I think Lamar needs to get back to the basics and focus more on his game, rather than focusing on what the fans are doing. At the end of the day, he can still play like he once did. He just has to understand his role on the team which is different than what it was on the Lakers.

This exactly.

He can't be the same player he was for the Lakers on the Mavs. His role has diminished and he just has to accept that. Don't let the fans ruin your game, just get out there and play as best as you can in the role you're given.

 

[Lake Louise]

Fans aren't always the best support system. They tend to boo for the littlest things sometimes. He seems to be having trouble with keeping his personal stuff away from the basketball stuff. He needs to keep working on getting the focus back into the game, which could mean playing for a different team, especially if the fans are going to keep booing, it stunts the process when your not used to hearing them.