If Odom Returns, It's All on Kupchak

Here's hoping Lamar Odom and the L.A. Lakers reach an agreement and he returns to the defending champions.

If and when that happens, judging the offseason of general manager Mitch Kupchak will be simple. Odom returning to the Lakers, essentially means the offseason consisted of swapping Ron Artest for Trevor Ariza.

That's going to be an easy one to judge when it's all said and done. And Kupchak's going to get the credit or the blame.

Artest for Ariza. That's it. Everything else will have been left exactly in place. Other than that, the Lakers are the same team we saw six weeks ago in the NBA Finals, where they left no doubt they were the best team in the NBA.

Now what happens? It's going to be interesting to watch, like isolating the variable in a science experiment.

There are only two directions this can go. Either the Lakers will repeat as NBA champions, and Kupchak will be painted as a basketball visionary for a gutsy move that kept L.A. atop the competition.

Or the Lakers won't repeat, and Kupchak will be universally criticized for sacrificing a young and improving player in Ariza for the sake of acquiring a talented but troubled 10-year veteran a tad past his prime in Artest.

The NBA landscape is littered with successful teams that were dismantled too soon. The Bulls, of course, in the late 1990s come to mind. There are likely just as many cases of a successful team making a bold move to get over the top or stay on top.

The Celtics were an NBA finalist in 1985, then went out and acquired Bill Walton. That move went a long way toward the Celtics regaining the title in 1986, and, naturally, went a long way toward solidifying Red Auerbach's one-of-a-kind reputation.

So, either Kupchak is a step ahead of his GM counterparts or he pulled one over on himself. After all, for as nice of a player as Artest is, he's only made it as far as the conference finals one time. Then again, there is no denying his talent, defensive capability and toughness.

Ideally, the Lakers will soon announce that Odom's coming back. And for a little while, Odom will get the attention he deserves. But once that's done, it's going to be about Artest -- and whether he makes Kupchak look like a genius or fool.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-24-2009 @ 4:58PM

FLOW said...

If the Lakers fail, Kupchak won't be blamed rather Phil Jackson or Kobe will. General Managers always skate. Steve Kerr made that bonehead move bringing in Shaq and he still has a job. It took a sexual harrassment suit to get Isiah Thomas fired in New York. Mitch messed up for several years before Jerry West handed him Pau Gasol and Ron Artest always wanted to come to the Lakers. Overpaying guys like Sasha, Luke and Bynum is the main reason the Lakers are strapped for cash. Bottom line is most players want to play in LA, and if you don't mess up, sooner or later they'll fall in your lap.

7-24-2009 @ 7:26PM

cornel343 said...

I kind of agree with you. There overpay for the three that you mentioned. I was sad to see Ariza go, because of his youth and he was just starting to come into his owe. From what has been said in the media, his agent kind of messed things up. Artest will work out, because Phil has worked with a player like this before and Artest will listen to Kobe, Fish and Lamar(he will be signed). Remember, this is some what of a veteran team, with good veteran leadership. Sasha needs to work on his game. He was good the year before, but he wasn't the same person last year. He has potential to be someone that you can depend on. Walton is a keeper, because he knows the offense so well and he is a very good passer. The person that I am most concerned about is Jordan Famer. Hardheaded, arrogant and immature. This upcoming season is his contract year, so hopefully he will change, or he won't be there in 2011.

7-24-2009 @ 5:21PM

micomido said...

This is just another part of the drama that will make the season more interesting to watch. With new found motivation and the old adage of "..true men repeat" ..this Lakers squad will prevail. Repeat

7-24-2009 @ 5:38PM

Erick said...

Artest my have only been to the finals once, but before last year's Celtics championship run, the only had one player on their entire team who had even won a championship (I believe Powell won it with Miami). Artest for Ariza was a smart move, because he Rockets were the Laker's biggest threat this last year/ Ariza-Artest. Probem solved.

As far as this making or breaking the Lakers seaon, I will say what I've said in several articles. The Lakers have only foregone the playoffs 4 times in NBA history (76, 94, 95, 05). We'll see how next season goes, but I seriously don't think Odom is as much of an X-factor as people think. He was awesome in the playoffs, and he's a very athletic player, but no matter what, the Lakers will still be a contender next year.

7-24-2009 @ 5:54PM

newnlkm said...

You writers suck!!! The Lakers get Odom back and there's no BS story, so quit trying to make nothing out of something, The Lakers will repeat and it will be done with or without Odom. The season is long and there will be changes along the way with all teams trading or whatever, you never know who will be where until the trading deadline is done and over with, until then, report something good, like "LAKERS NBA CHAMPIONS"

markjsunz said...

Enough already. I do not care about odom having to take care of his family. It costs over $1000.00
for a family of 4 to go to a laker game, get a mid priced seat, pay for parking, lousy food and flat soft drinks. The median family income in america is $63,000 a year. At the end of the day
watching the lakers on pay television(cable)is no different then watching a movie. So Mr. Odom who loved los angeles, then told us he needs to take care of your family get whatever your market value may be but do not cry poverty or unfairness.

7-24-2009 @ 6:05PM

mcjesus666 said...

if the lakers don't repeat, it will be for other reasons beside your simple "artest for ariza". Other teams get better, injuries happen, and flat out it's not so easy to repeat even when your team stays essentially the same. Go ask the spurs...

7-24-2009 @ 6:42PM

MEK said...

Have to agree with mcjesus here. Steinmetz's analysis is way too shallow. There are millions of variables leading to a championship, not just 2.

7-24-2009 @ 8:25PM

krmagley said...

far too simplistic. the realities of the games themselves will determine who gets the blame and why. if fisher finally hits the wall kupchak will be criticized for holding on too long to an aging veteran. this is far too definitive a statement and far too simplistic an argument.

7-25-2009 @ 3:47PM

cpbr2000 said...

i dont go to any more sporting events because it cost way too much money..i enjoy most sports but i watch them on the tube now..i am getting turned off by the overpaid..spoiled so called super stars..i am a lifelong Lakers fan but this thing with Odom is getting to me..Artest showed he wanted to play for them..why cant Odom do likewise ?How much does it take for Gods sake ? CUT back like the average american has done..If the fans would boycott some games things would change overnite..I do wish the Lakers the best