Latest Lakers Trade Rumors: Odom for Iguodala talks fizzled because of Odom

Trade talks between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers for a switcheroo between Andre Iguodala and Lamar Odom may have been squashed because of Lamar Odom.

Let me explain, according to HoopsWorld, "Philadelphia wasn't going to trade Iguodala for Odom if the latter was going to be unhappy and unmotivated. That's when the talks died."

Basically, the 76ers don't want Odom on the team if he didn't want to be there, remember when he used to play for the Clippers?

Odom has been the subject of numerous trade rumors since weeks before the draft. He has been connected with the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard, the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis, and other teams around the NBA for their draft picks.

Odom is perhaps the Lakers most tradable asset because of his contract.

He is fresh off of winning the Sixth Man of the Year Award and a power forward in the league making only $8.9 million next year. He also has a team option for the same amount next year, or the team can buy out his contract for about $2 million, freeing up salary cap space for the team.

In addition, Odom is only 31 years old averaging 14.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in his 12 year career.

Iguodala is younger than Odom and may have more potential at 27 years of age. In his career, Iguodala has averaged 15.6 poitns and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Like Odom, Iguodala has also been linked in numerous trade rumors including with the Golden State Warriors in a trade for Monta Ellis.

Ron Artest's 'Abused Women of Afghanistan Rap Video' No Picnic...

In what first appeared to be a set up for a perfect slam dunk of a parody rap video...comes a serious (yes, this is for real folks) piece from the only NBA player to fail his pre-draft mental evaluation, Ron-Ron has taken time out from his busy schedule of writing court order apology letters, applying for a job at Circuit City in order to get an employee discount, recording a country song with an elderly woman neighbor, showing up to practice in a bathrobe, smashing a 100k HD Camera, not feeding his dog, recording a Michael Jackson tribute song (yes this is real), and evidently picking #37 to grace his new Lakers jersey because of MJ's 'Thriller' (you can't make this stuff up), making nice-nice with Kobe, anyone remember this?, and being arrested for domestic abuse himself, to put together this high quality rap video for the abused women of Afghanistan.

In his rapping ode to “all his Afghani women,” the video intertwines clips of battered women from the war-torn country of Afghanistan juxtaposed with apparently a bunch of hand-held camcorder shots of a walk in the public park with Artest rapping while families enjoy, um... picnics in the background.

Michael Jordan allegedly commented on his charitable attempts as “not a very good way to make money for himself.” But Artest is not letting that get him down, he is always about doing it his way...whatever way that is. Thanks for showing us your sensitive side, Ron ('cuz you know he's all about the ladies) and for making this country proud...

On The Road Again...

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Now playing: Bob Segar - Turn The Page
via FoxyTunes
...and they are going to have to be firing on all cylinders as they start this 9 game road trip off against the Pistons tonight.

Here are the numbers:

2 - Division Leaders
9 - Games
14 - Days
.454 - Opponent Winning Percentage
8,713 - Miles

Tough Game tonight against a 4 on the floor, high-reving horsepowerhouse...the Pistons lineup:

R. Hamilton: 19 PPG, 50.3% FG, 46.7% 3PT
C. Billups: 17.9 PPG, 7.1 Assists, 45.8% FG
T. Prince: 13.1 PPG, 38.1% 3PT
R. Wallace: 12.6 PPG, 7.3 Rebounds

Detroit is: 32-13 This Season

Lakers have not won in Motor City since 2002, so its going to be a rough start to this 9 game road trip. The roster tonight is running on fumes as Ariza and Bynum are not in Detroit tonight, Walton and Mihm are riding along, but neither one will dress. In addition, DJ Mbenga is also along for the ride, but the coaching staff have decided not to activate him, because this would have been his second 10 day contract, and are opting to lease him later in the week, when the Lakers machine will no doubt be in need of a refueling on this long road trip.

What's that mean Laker Fans? Yes, you guessed it, that leaves one 7 footer...Kwame Brown. I'm hoping Phil will use Ronny Turiaf in the center position more than not, sorry Kwame, but you are the clog in the wheel of this Lakers machine.

Farmar Selected For Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam

For the second consecutive year, Lakers Guard Jordan Farmar will be apart of All-Star Weekend after being selected to compete in the 2008 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam.

Lakers Down 2 Vs. Suns: Home Game Thursday

Eclipse Of The Sun

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Pre-Game Ramble: Lakers Vs. Orlando Magic

TheLakers are currently leading this season's series 1-0, winning last seasonls series against Orlando 2-0, sweeping the Magic for the second time in the last three seasons and for the sixth time in eight years. The Lakers are currently 7-0 all-time against the Magic at Staples Center and have won their last nine consecutive games against Orlando in Los Angeles. In their last meeting, five Lakers scored double figures as L.A. defeated Orlando 106-93. The Lakers are 13-6 this season when five or more players score in double-figures.

Starting for the Lakers tonight: Brian Cook, Luke Walton, Andrew Bynum, Smush Parker, Kobe Bryant

Starting for the Magic: Tony Battle, Hedo Turkoglu, Dwight Howrd, Jameer Nelson, Grant Hill.

Kobe: Youngest Player To Reach 17,000 Points

There was something in the air before I entered the Staples Center tonight. Was it the fact that the last time these two teams met, Kobe scored an incredible 81 points in one game? Could be, but it was another potential record that loomed, hovering in the air at Staples, there was speculation that Kobe may reach a milestone number tonight; the youngest player ever to reach 17,000 points...and he did.

Not only did Kobe help usher in a "W" for the Lakers, but he did it with a game high of 31 points tonight, (and a double double, his first of the season), topping off his career total to 17,024. Kobe also had 7 assists, who said in an interview right after the game that getting everyone involved was important,"that was what was going to keep us going, to get everyone involved, every body's a threat, and down to key situations, hopefully I can deliver for us." And deliver he did, and the crowd was definitely involved, too. When Kobe was asked about how he liked the new "Lights Out", he said "Oh, I love it, love it, it adds a certain romanticism to Staples Arena."

Although the defense left a lot to be desired, the offense was enough to get it done, kicking it up a notch in the third quarter. Another problem was turnovers, come on guys...19 turnovers? Turnovers mixed with the bad defense equals a recipe for disaster. Final score was 100 to 107, and by all accounts Lakers need to be grateful. There is a lot of depth on this team, so come on Phil, I know you're experimenting with different combinations, but let's find one that works and go with it. It seems like in past games when a player is getting hot, you take him out, let him play if it's working.


Another notable performance was from UCLA rookie Jordan Farmar, who said,"I'm just trying to do my job" and that he did with 7 tonight and 4 assists, with only one turnover in limited minutes. When the Lakers were really struggling in the second half, his performance was crucial, hitting 5 consecutive points, 1 a tres and the other a duece. Smush also came out strong at the beginning of the game.

Ok, so now the Lakers need to find their rhythm, because they are going to have games every other day (thanks Dad, for reminding me of that before the game). Sunday against the Bulls, and right back here at Staples on Tuesday. Lakers have taken the first 6 of 9, and the next game is at Staples at 5:00 on Sunday. Oh yeah, Lamar where were you tonight? And a message for Bynum, get ready for Ben Wallace on Sunday, he's no slouch. Also, the return of Kwame Brown.