Kupchak "not hopeful" about resigning Odom

A lot of people think the signing of Ron Artest makes the Lakers a lock to repeat as NBA champions...... but not so fast.  There were 2 reasons the Lakers were able to walk away with the NBA title last year:  Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza.  Kobe was Kobe and Gasol did a fine job... but it was Trevor Ariza playing out of his mind and Odom playing like he'd quit weed that really made the difference. Well, now Trevor Ariza is in Houston.  But that was easily offset, at least talent-wise, by Artest.  But losing Mr. matchup-problem would a big deal.  So these words from Lakers GM Mitch Kupchack can't be encouraging for Lakers fans: Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said tonight he was "not as hopeful" of re-signing unrestricted free agent Lamar Odom "as I was Friday." Asked why, Kupchak said, "It's just a feeling you get. You have conversations with the player's representative and, right now, I'm not sure we're on ...