Odom Is Back... So Now What?

Well, a few transactions happened... but being an L.A.-based blog, the big news of the day is Lamar Odom re-signing with the Lakers. The terms? 4 years and $33 million. The fourth year is a team option. Frankly, I got tired of all the WILL HE and WILL HE NOT? stories from various media. But I honestly didn't think he was going to leave L.A.... unless he wanted an all-new challenge after winning a ring. It's not in it for him to be the first option; he prefers staying in the background and just doing his thing. Odom is unselfish to a fault and some people get outraged over his lack of shooting aggressiveness... although I think it seems very uncharacteristic of him to take four weeks to re-sign. But think about it... what did Miami have that was more attractive than L.A.? Miami has the beach, the nightlife, the weather, a superstar to play alongside with, etc. L.A. has all of that and more. The Lakers are the champions and obviously have a better shot at the chip. Plus L.A. could offer more money. It was a no-brainer. Oh, yeah. Like he was going to turn his back on L.A. The community has embraced him as much as he has embraced them back. Apparently, Portland offered him a hefty sum to go to play in Oregon. Five years and $40 million. But they don't have the goods that Miami or L.A. could offer. I'm just surprised that they took this long to make an offer. Oh, well. Anyway, he's back and L.A. feels like they can celebrate the championship until the season starts without any interruption and uncertainty from the team. But now... I'm not going to say the fans are ludicrous for saying this... but man... fans are already predicting a dynasty. And 70-72 wins. A dynasty could VERY WELL happen but it's NOT even going to be EASY to repeat. Sure, the Lakers get everybody back... and they replace Trevor Ariza (a role player at best thus far in his career) with Ron Artest (former Defensive Player of the Year AND All-Star). That team on paper looks devastating and I do think that they ARE the favorites to win it all again. Except they're not the only powerhouse this year. Unlike 1996, when the Chicago Bulls steamrolled through the season with 72 wins, the competition promises to be much tougher this coming season. I won't be surprised if any of the other top contenders win the title next year. And didn't we forget that, while we criticize Odom for not showing up, the whole team doesn't show up, at times, either? Remember those whispers that the Lakers didn't deserve to win the title? Anyway, the competition... ORLANDO MAGIC Key Acquisitions: Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson Key Losses: Courtney Lee, Hedo Turkoglu, Rafer Alston, Tony Battie More importantly, they get a healthy Jameer Nelson back. Vince Carter is also another dynamic scorer. They'll miss Turkoglu's playmaking skills but, again, the key is that Jameer's going to be 100 percent. And with all that experience in the playoffs last year, they are not about to roll over and die. I'm just wondering, though. If they matched Marcin Gortat... then why couldn't they bring back Hedo Turkoglu? Geez. BOSTON CELTICS Key Acquisitions: Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels Key Losses: Leon Powe Powe was hurt and had to be let go. They get a lot more in Wallace, though. He gives them depth on the frontline, can spread the floor with his three-point shooting, and can be as tough as nails as anybody down low. And with Daniels, he offers a boost in the swingman position. He'll be especially helpful if he gives Paul Pierce a lot of rest throughout the season. I really like that Daniels acquisition. If they re-sign Big Baby... then wow. This team is stacked. And remember that Rondo seems ten times better now than he was in the 2008 Finals. Remember that they are the champs from 2008. They'll have a healthy Kevin Garnett. They figure to be in the mix again. And people would argue that they would've repeated had Garnett stayed healthy. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS Key Acquisitions: Shaquille O'Neal, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon Key Losses: Sasha Pavlovic, Ben Wallace Wallace is practically done and Sasha Pavlovic doesn't get off the pine. So they practically get Shaq for nothing. We all know what Shaq can do DESPITE his advanced age. Parker will spread the floor with his dead-eye shooting. Parker and Moon can both defend the bigger guards and make better match-ups defensively than Delonte West and Mo Williams could. I mean, this team won 66 games last year. And they have LeBron James. Of course, they'll be in the hunt. DENVER NUGGETS Key Acquisitions: Uhhhh... Arron Afflalo and Walter Sharpe Key Losses: Dahntay Jones Denver hasn't done anything earth-shattering but they were only two wins away from the Finals. Maybe they just needed one more year of playing together? Carmelo Anthony was a deadly scorer in the playoffs last year... but can he do that against an all-world defender like Ron Artest. Chauncey Billups can bring it one more year... and their renewed focus on defense (with that frontline monster of Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Birdman) should help them get back near the top again. Is standing pat enough for the Nuggets? With a winner like Billups, don't count them out. SAN ANTONIO SPURS Key Acquisitions: Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff, Dejuan Blair Key Losses: Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas, Fabricio Oberto Again, Manu Ginobili's health (well, everybody's health) is the key to this Spurs team. But, man, did they get a coup with runaway groom RJ. McDyess can still play even this late in his career... and Ratliff is a good bargain acquisition. Plus they add 2nd-round steal, Blair, and their frontline seems so solidified. Jeff from Project Spurs still wants a decent 5... but why do I feel that they're not done wheeling and dealing? Anyway, their window is as open as ever. If any Western team can dethrone the Lakers, I'd pick them to do it. Hell, if Marcus Haislip suddenly averages a 20-10, they might win it all. PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS Key Acquisitions: Andre Miller Key Losses: None so far. I'm not a big fan of the Andre Miller acquisition but... the best-case scenario, he gives veteran stability to a very young team. They were going after a playmaker, anyway, and Miller seems the perfect fit. I'm not ready to call them a Top Three team in the West... but this team may be really scary if they actually meet the Lakers in the Playoffs. Hmmmmmmmmm. DALLAS MAVERICKS Key Acquisitions: Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Tim Thomas Key Losses: Antoine Wright, Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George Not exactly huge losses for the Mavericks but they get Shawn Marion in return. Marion is still only 31 so he may still have enough legs to run breaks with Jason Kidd like they used to do back in Phoenix. And we all knew that Shawn Marion was the Suns' best defender back when the Suns were an elite team. Drew Gooden can give them some tough rebounding and Tim Thomas can spread the floor with his shooting. They can certainly use more of those. If Marion can play like he did back in Phoenix, the Mavericks can be the dark horse in this tough Western Conference. Yes, it'd be quite a feat if the Lakers can win 70 and the championship. But I will not look past any of these teams that I mentioned. And I'm sure I'm probably forgetting a surprise team or two. So if the Lakers only win 55 or something, it's because the league as a whole just got much tougher. Temper your expectations, L.A. Oh, and welcome back, Lamar. Let's enjoy #15 the rest of the summer. Follow me on Twitter. I am @TheNoLookPass. And my favorite candy is usually anything chocolatey. Like the Whatchamacallit candy bars.