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20 questions w/ lamar odom. interesting.
ejones06
Posts: 2,304
20 QUESTIONS
By DAN LEBATARD
Herald Sports Columnist
Twenty questions with $65 million investment Lamar Odom, who talks a very good game:
1. What do you say to South Floridians who are worried you won't behave yourself here after a couple of substance-abuse violations?
``That's the last thing they need to worry about. They won't see me in the newspaper for anything but helping the team win and making buckets. I'm going to kick [butt] in this league. You watch. I understand the concern, but please don't prejudge me. Just get down to AmericanAirlines Arena, sit back and enjoy the ride.''
2. So no reasons to worry about giving $65 million to a guy who, fairly or unfairly, has a national reputation as a head case?
``I tell people who say that to make sure they vote for the right person. There's a lot more important stuff to worry about than an athlete. We're at war, for God's sake. But give me a chance. I'll stay out of trouble. Coach [Pat] Riley has trusted me so much, and I want to give him the rewards. It's so crazy, though, the way athletes are perceived. You can make off-the-court mistakes and average 30 a night, and you are a good guy. Bill Romanowski, he spits in one guy's face and breaks a teammate's eye socket and they cheer him because he has four tackles, a sack and championships. People forgive you a lot quicker if you win. And I've been on losing teams, hurt and suspended, so I must really be a jerk.''
3. How would you explain your childhood to a stranger?
``Tough, man. Raised by my mom. She passed away when I was 12. Then I was raised by my grandmother. I did a lot of learning on my own. Still doing that. How could I not make mistakes? My childhood was just the feeling of being alone. But those are the kind of things that molded me. I'm very strong because of that.''
4. Most annoying thing in the world?
``Playing for the Clippers.''
5. Athlete who impresses you so much you'd pay to watch them work at their craft?
``Does it have to be just one athlete? Can it be all of the Yankees?''
6. Three NBA players you think haven't done enough with their talent?
``Myself first. But that will change. Derrick Coleman maybe. And John Starks just because, when you are in Game 7 of the championship and you can't hit from the outside, just take it to the basket, man. Come on.''
7. Something you believe that very few people do?
``That I'm a good guy.''
8. Your worst character flaw?
``Laziness. No, procrastination.''
9. Number of people in your life you trust?
``Less than a handful. Two. My children. That's it. I've been betrayed some. You are always looking out of the corner of your eye. You know what? Let's change that answer to five, and include me, myself and I. I'm just playing. But let's make it five.''
10. You ripped the Clippers and caught a lot of criticism for being an ingrate who hadn't done much there and still had the audacity to rip on his way out. Did Riley tell you to do that to ensure your exit?
``No way Riley would ever do that. That was the strategy by me and my agent. And it worked. Riley did say, though, that we might have to play hardball.''
11. You described playing for the Clippers as basketball hell. What one example best illustrated what a small-time organization that was?
``Well, every time I talked to the owner or [general manager] Elgin Baylor. But another example would be that our weight room was like something from Riker's Island.''
12. Three people at your dream dinner party?
''Michael Jackson. Got to have an eccentric. I'd just like to ask him, ``Why?'' a lot. Elvis. I'd like to see him perform live, even if it is at my dinner table. The skinny Elvis, though. I'm not into the fat Elvis. And Jennifer López. I just want to watch her eat.''
13. Two famous people who annoy you so much you'd like to watch them in a pay-per-view match involving buzz saws?
``Wow. This is a great opportunity you are giving me here. [Disgraced Baylor coach] Dave Bliss. And the president of the NCAA, whoever that is now. Let them go at it. Does there have to be a winner? Can they both lose?''
14. You are making a rather unique tour, door to door, making surprise visits at newspapers, radio stations and TV stations as part of the Heat's effort to show that the athlete with baggage isn't such a bad guy. How do you convince people of that?
``Just by being me. Once people are around me, they get a good vibe. I'm just a young kid who has made some mistakes, but I'm ready to give back and get fans in those seats. I'm more mature, mind and body, and I can show that door to door.''
15. Dumbest money you've ever seen an athlete spend?
``Wow. That's a hard question because I've seen so many crazy things. I can't tell you the name of the player, but there was a guy who thought he was giving back to the community by putting a marble hallway in the projects where he grew up. In the projects, man. Paid way too much, and it definitely isn't increasing the property value.''
16. Happiest 10 minutes of your life?
``When I heard the Clippers let me go. And the birth of my children. [Laughter] Not in that order, though. But the Clippers letting me go was like a birth, too -- a rebirth.''
17. Funniest conversation you've ever had on the court?
``Well, it wasn't really a conversation. Gary Payton was doing all the talking. He got all in my face. He wasn't really making sense. Just a lot of cursing. A nonstop stream of curse words. I just had to laugh. I couldn't say anything. He wouldn't let me. He really wanted to win, but we beat them anyway.''
18. Best compliment you've ever received?
``Coach Riley comparing me to Magic Johnson has to be up there. But the compliments that I receive from friends, that I'm humble, I like that one.''
19. Most hurtful thing you've ever read about yourself?
``That I'm a character risk.''
20. What's the scariest Riley conditioning story you've heard?
``Worst horror story? Training camp of 1999 when I came in to work out for the Heat before being drafted. Most places have two-a-days and, after the first practice, everybody goes home. Not here. [Laughter] Pat brings the cots out. You are sleeping there. But I embrace that. I want that. I need that. I want to be one of the 10 best players in this league, and Riley is going to help me get there.''
By DAN LEBATARD
Herald Sports Columnist
Twenty questions with $65 million investment Lamar Odom, who talks a very good game:
1. What do you say to South Floridians who are worried you won't behave yourself here after a couple of substance-abuse violations?
``That's the last thing they need to worry about. They won't see me in the newspaper for anything but helping the team win and making buckets. I'm going to kick [butt] in this league. You watch. I understand the concern, but please don't prejudge me. Just get down to AmericanAirlines Arena, sit back and enjoy the ride.''
2. So no reasons to worry about giving $65 million to a guy who, fairly or unfairly, has a national reputation as a head case?
``I tell people who say that to make sure they vote for the right person. There's a lot more important stuff to worry about than an athlete. We're at war, for God's sake. But give me a chance. I'll stay out of trouble. Coach [Pat] Riley has trusted me so much, and I want to give him the rewards. It's so crazy, though, the way athletes are perceived. You can make off-the-court mistakes and average 30 a night, and you are a good guy. Bill Romanowski, he spits in one guy's face and breaks a teammate's eye socket and they cheer him because he has four tackles, a sack and championships. People forgive you a lot quicker if you win. And I've been on losing teams, hurt and suspended, so I must really be a jerk.''
3. How would you explain your childhood to a stranger?
``Tough, man. Raised by my mom. She passed away when I was 12. Then I was raised by my grandmother. I did a lot of learning on my own. Still doing that. How could I not make mistakes? My childhood was just the feeling of being alone. But those are the kind of things that molded me. I'm very strong because of that.''
4. Most annoying thing in the world?
``Playing for the Clippers.''
5. Athlete who impresses you so much you'd pay to watch them work at their craft?
``Does it have to be just one athlete? Can it be all of the Yankees?''
6. Three NBA players you think haven't done enough with their talent?
``Myself first. But that will change. Derrick Coleman maybe. And John Starks just because, when you are in Game 7 of the championship and you can't hit from the outside, just take it to the basket, man. Come on.''
7. Something you believe that very few people do?
``That I'm a good guy.''
8. Your worst character flaw?
``Laziness. No, procrastination.''
9. Number of people in your life you trust?
``Less than a handful. Two. My children. That's it. I've been betrayed some. You are always looking out of the corner of your eye. You know what? Let's change that answer to five, and include me, myself and I. I'm just playing. But let's make it five.''
10. You ripped the Clippers and caught a lot of criticism for being an ingrate who hadn't done much there and still had the audacity to rip on his way out. Did Riley tell you to do that to ensure your exit?
``No way Riley would ever do that. That was the strategy by me and my agent. And it worked. Riley did say, though, that we might have to play hardball.''
11. You described playing for the Clippers as basketball hell. What one example best illustrated what a small-time organization that was?
``Well, every time I talked to the owner or [general manager] Elgin Baylor. But another example would be that our weight room was like something from Riker's Island.''
12. Three people at your dream dinner party?
''Michael Jackson. Got to have an eccentric. I'd just like to ask him, ``Why?'' a lot. Elvis. I'd like to see him perform live, even if it is at my dinner table. The skinny Elvis, though. I'm not into the fat Elvis. And Jennifer López. I just want to watch her eat.''
13. Two famous people who annoy you so much you'd like to watch them in a pay-per-view match involving buzz saws?
``Wow. This is a great opportunity you are giving me here. [Disgraced Baylor coach] Dave Bliss. And the president of the NCAA, whoever that is now. Let them go at it. Does there have to be a winner? Can they both lose?''
14. You are making a rather unique tour, door to door, making surprise visits at newspapers, radio stations and TV stations as part of the Heat's effort to show that the athlete with baggage isn't such a bad guy. How do you convince people of that?
``Just by being me. Once people are around me, they get a good vibe. I'm just a young kid who has made some mistakes, but I'm ready to give back and get fans in those seats. I'm more mature, mind and body, and I can show that door to door.''
15. Dumbest money you've ever seen an athlete spend?
``Wow. That's a hard question because I've seen so many crazy things. I can't tell you the name of the player, but there was a guy who thought he was giving back to the community by putting a marble hallway in the projects where he grew up. In the projects, man. Paid way too much, and it definitely isn't increasing the property value.''
16. Happiest 10 minutes of your life?
``When I heard the Clippers let me go. And the birth of my children. [Laughter] Not in that order, though. But the Clippers letting me go was like a birth, too -- a rebirth.''
17. Funniest conversation you've ever had on the court?
``Well, it wasn't really a conversation. Gary Payton was doing all the talking. He got all in my face. He wasn't really making sense. Just a lot of cursing. A nonstop stream of curse words. I just had to laugh. I couldn't say anything. He wouldn't let me. He really wanted to win, but we beat them anyway.''
18. Best compliment you've ever received?
``Coach Riley comparing me to Magic Johnson has to be up there. But the compliments that I receive from friends, that I'm humble, I like that one.''
19. Most hurtful thing you've ever read about yourself?
``That I'm a character risk.''
20. What's the scariest Riley conditioning story you've heard?
``Worst horror story? Training camp of 1999 when I came in to work out for the Heat before being drafted. Most places have two-a-days and, after the first practice, everybody goes home. Not here. [Laughter] Pat brings the cots out. You are sleeping there. But I embrace that. I want that. I need that. I want to be one of the 10 best players in this league, and Riley is going to help me get there.''
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] EAGLES 2005 SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!!
<< <i>What an airhead. I hope he can live up to the expectations, or he'll look like an even bigger ass. >>
what he said, lamar will proably suck in miami too, i rather have a lineup of jones,butler,and wade than odom but whatever.
-MV7
i'd say 17-19 pts, 7 boards, and 5 dimes.
16.6 pts, 7.8 boards, and 4.2 assists as a rc.
17.2 pts, 7.8 boards, and 5.2 assists.
13.1 pts (only played 29 games), 6.1 boards, and 5.9 assists.
14.6 pts (only played 49 games), 6.7 boards, and 3.6 assists.