Le sigh. I really want to agree with this, I really do, unfortunately, I have more than just a fan’s outlook on the NBA. Let’s start this by clarifying two points of bias, one- I am a certified Laker hater, and two- the Mav’s are my favorite team. 
Now, like I said, I have an interesting point of reference when it comes to all things NBA, especially this trade. I am related to someone who was on the last dynasty team. Someone who was well associated with that team, and if I was to tell you his name I’m sure one of the myriad of photos of him and his teammates would instantly pop into your head. Being that I have this point of view, I understand that NBA teams are two different things at once- a business and a family. The players, are the family, the owners are the business, and often times the owners forget that the players are humans, not just basketball machines. 
Do I feel sorry that Lamar got traded to the Mav’s? No, I don’t feel sorry for anyone who gets paid tens of millions of dollars to play a game; however, I do feel sorry for him in the aspect that he feels like he was betrayed by his family. From what I know from my one viewing of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, is that Lamar had basically no family in his life in his youth, so it only makes sense that he would feel that longing and grasp on especially tight to his team- the only family he had.
Next time you look at a player who was traded and think that they are upset solely based upon money, talk to me, and I will look you square in the eye and tell you how that is not the case, because I have been there. If there is anyone you should be mad at in this situation, look at David Stern. David Stern, as the NBA’s commissioner has knocked out some of the most irreparable moves in NBA history in record time, and those actions proved one thing- that even though this lockout is over, absolutely nothing has changed. 

jessiv:

fuckyeahlakers:

Now that most teams are undergoing media day and the season is less than two weeks from starting, how are Laker fans supposed to feel about this? Confused? A little. Angry? Definitely. Disappointed? Without a doubt.

Last week was a unique one for sports. It was a week that say arguably the greatest baseball player of his generation, Albert Pujols, leave the only place he’s known (and my hometown) for more money and because he felt “disrespected” by management. During the same week, and same day if I can recall correctly, David Stern vetoed a blockbuster trade that left many players feeling confused, angry, disappointed, and one very disrespected.

That one is Lamar Odom. And that is why I went from being mad at Laker’s management, to angry at Lamar.

Let’s recount the big-time names that were involved in last week’s cataclysmic trade. Pau Gasol. Chris Paul. Lamar Odom. Luis Scola. Kevin Martin. All starters, or Sixth Men of the Year material. Men who certainly add value to their team, and feel as if any team should want them, and that the one that has them should need them. Out of all those names, only one took it so personal that he couldn’t show up to training camp the next day and practice.

Lamar Odom.

He was the one who told his agent to ask Mitch Kupchak to trade him. And within three hours Mitch did just that, to the reigning NBA Champions in a move that has baffled me and just about every Laker fan that I have talked to. It was done behind the premise of there being a bigger plan, but the small plan was to ship out a player who was likely to affect the chemistry in the locker room. He took it more personal than Pau Gasol, who understood that it was a calculated business move that would’ve set in motion a chain of events to land not only Chris Paul, but Dwight Howard. There was a bigger picture in mind to keep the Lakers’ championship hopes alive long after Odom would be an integral part of the team.

This is where the disconnect between Odom and Laker fans begins. That our immediate future is skewered, and that unlike everyone else, he took it more personally. And for him to continue to speak about how “surreal” it is, after the Lakers sent him to the reigning champions is overkill. In doing that, Mitch Kupchak showed Lamar more respect than he probably should have.

Not many of us are going to sympathize LO. You’re getting paid millions of dollars. In all reality, you should feel thankful whether you play for the Lakers, or the Bucks. Lakers fans loved you during the years that you underachieved (and let’s face it, last year aside, he was mostly inconsistent), and we appreciated the unique skill-set you brought to our team. I always thought you were a nice player, and a great personality, but after undergoing this process and seeing you as the only player involved in the trade that just can’t get over it, my opinion has changed.

Something tells me you’ve been around the Kardashians too long.

my thoughts exactly

(via hellozoerebecca)