this summer

A cry for help
No subtitles were needed for Kobe Bryant's postmortem after the Lakers' loss
to the Suns: "Do something and do it now. Personally, for me, it's beyond
frustration. Three years and still being at ground zero. This summer's a big
summer. We have to see what direction we want to take this organization. Make
those steps and make them now." The clock is indeed ticking for the Lakers,
for while Bryant is still young, he has played almost 10,000 more minutes
than Michael Jordan had at the same age. That's roughly three-plus seasons.
So expect the Lakers to back up the bus and make everyone available, save, of
course, Kobe (who does have a no-trade clause). The presumed targets are
Kevin Garnett (even more minutes than Kobe) and Jermaine O'Neal. Either would
likely cost the Lakers their young center, Andrew Bynum, and neither would
elevate the Lakers to the top tier in the West. What about Paul Pierce? Would
Danny Ainge do a deal in which he could get Lamar Odom, Bynum, and a
re-signed Luke Walton and send Pierce and Telfair to the Lakers? (This would
presume he'd be able to draft Kevin Durant.) Just a thought. But expect the
Lakers to be burning the phones this summer.

Lamar Odom

JUST THE SIGHT OF LAMAR ODOM, standing a massive 6’10” tall, is enough to stop anyone in their tracks. Seeing him dominate a basketball court at virtually any position – dishing a show-stopping no-look pass, knocking down a 26-foot jumper, snatching a rebound or throwing down a one-handed tomahawk jam – is enough to leave the most seasoned NBA fan slack-jawed in wonder. But when he begins to speak – when he begins to tell you his roller-coaster tale of staggering hoops success, heart-wrenching personal losses, and remarkable persistence – it’s really then that you begin to glimpse the remarkable life that 27 year-old Lamar Odom has led.

In the Beginning
Born on November 6, 1979, Lamar Odom, like the rapper 50 Cent, grew up in South Jamaica, Queens, an area of New York City ravaged by the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. Drug deals took place literally feet from the steps of his childhood home. “Any time you see these inner city kids in the NBA, as well as these kids from Detroit and California,” he said, “you’ve got to understand that their background wasn’t peaches and cream.”
During his early childhood, Lamar was raised by his mother, Cathy Mercer. A corrections and traffic officer, Cathy worked hard to provide for her son, never letting the relentless challenges of single-motherhood affect her. “She was really outgoing, the light in everybody’s eye,” he said. “The life of the party. People loved her. A lot of my personality, the way I deal with people, it’s definitely through her.”

Tragically, Cathy Mercer was struck by colon cancer when Lamar was 12.

“She got sick in January, and in July she was gone,” he remembered. “It was tough to see somebody who you love so much hurting like that. I was there. I left right before the last breath, so I knew she was going to pass. For the pain that she was going through, I’d rather her not have to go through that pain.”

Parentless, Lamar might have vanished into the urban jungle without his grandmother, Mildred Mercer. A child of the South, Mildred arrived in New York City in the 1930s, and in 1957, moved into the house where Lamar spent a significant part of his childhood. It was there that he learned the values that would ultimately define him.

“[She taught me] all the little things that I stand for, the things that in today’s world get overlooked, as far as family, trying to put back into your neighborhood,” he said. “Being spiritual, believing in God. Having principles, and morals, and treating people the right way. Respecting people so you can earn respect.”

While Lamar was developing as a person, he was also developing as a basketball player. He had loved the game since he was first introduced to it, and from as early as seven years old, saw himself playing in the NBA one day.

“I was always tall for my age,” he said. “I remember being in fourth grade, fifth grade, I’m just daydreaming. The teacher comes up and says, ‘What you doing? Why you writing your name in your book a hundred times?...You better think of something else?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m going to the NBA. There is nothing else. This is what I’m going to do.’ I always tell people – they always say, ‘What would you do if you weren’t playing basketball?’ I can honestly say – I’m not trying to give you an ignorant answer – but I don’t know. I knew I was going to play basketball.”

By high school, Lamar was closing in on his dream. During his sophomore year at Christ the King High, he burst into the national consciousness, scoring 36 points en route to the city championship. His senior season, Parade Magazine named him the 1997 Player of the Year.

No matter what, we still believe

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, it was announced today.

The arthroscopic procedure, which lasted 40 minutes, was performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum at the Kerlan Jobe Surgery Center in Los Angeles. Odom will wear a sling for 10 days and then begin rehabilitation. He is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of training camp in October.

Odom, who averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 56 games this season, suffered the injury March 2 vs. Sacramento. After going 0-5 without Odom following the injury, he returned to play in each of the Lakers final 23 contests (including the postseason) with the torn labrum. Despite the injury and an additional 21 game absence due to a sprained MCL in his right knee, Odom finished the season ranked 23rd among league leaders in double-doubles (25) and ninth in minutes played (39.3).

In five postseason contests, Odom averaged 19.4 points and 13.0 rebounds while posting double-doubles in all five games and a playoff career-high 33 points May 2 at Phoenix.

WIN

every basketball need win. to get that goal,they should pay their mind on that thing,basketball.
Kobe is my favorite baskeyball player in this world,i like not only his dunk,but every thing on him.I like his decision,and attentiveness.he always pay all his attention in every game.this the main reason why i like him so much!!
watching him play is kind of enjoyment,and yelling for every shot is my job.

basketball player

It's somewhat hard to evaluate how Ronny truly played this season, since he was so clearly phoning it in with such zombie-like enthusiasm. Kidding. Actually, I think Turiaf was the team's most improved player, especially during the season's second half when the Lakers were low enough on big men that Michael Clarke Duncan almost got a ten-day contract. The balls-out energy one expects from Turiaf was always on display, but a 12-15 foot jumper began to fall with more regularity and he led the team in blocks per 48 minutes. I have my doubts as to whether he could- or really, should- start at power forward in the near future. Turiaf's frenetic style often provides a huge lift, but playing with reckless abandon can result in being a foul machine. As it stands, Ronny would struggle to play 30 minutes (much less 40) without a DQ. A middle ground would need to be found, and who knows how that would affect his performance (or if the skills are even there to begin with, since he's often a more energetic defender than a truly effective one). But no matter what Turiaf's role is next season, he's proving himself both with his play and as a teammate. Plus, he maintained a high standard of sideline-dancing even in the face of increased minutes. That's dedication.

Walton

The end of Walton's season garnered most of its headlines for news that he wasn't dating Britney Spears- Luke's got a steady lady, but it's nice knowing if things go bad, a post-rehab, head-shaved wacko on a public rebound from this guy remains an option- but the early ink was all about his improved play. Phil Jackson expected to use Billy Boy's to spell Vlad Radmanovic, but Cat Stevens' training camp began on a lousy note and he never picked up his game. In the meantime, Luke bumped his stats in just about every major category and his November was ridiculous from behind the arc. And when Lamar Odom went down, he did a solid job picking up some slack. The additional heavy lifting caused by Kwame Brown's simultaneous absence eventually took its toll on Walton, who began struggling before suffering his own ankle injury. Upon returning, his now-slower step (combined with a bad finger) conspired to crap up his playoff series. He remains a defensive liability and is likely better served coming off the bench. But there's no arguing his value as a role player (considering how the team struggled almost immediately after he began watching games in civvies), especially in a system like Phil Jackson's, which caters to his strengths. I think Luke is smart enough to realize that he wouldn't thrive on certain teams and all indications seem to point towards him resigning with the Lakers. Assuming the dough's not outrageous, good news for both parties. And good news for Britney, who could use a local source of inspiration during this difficult time

my father

when i was young,my father had already worked abord for some time.in my childhood i seldom saw my father,so i did not have too much contact with him.when him took a phone call for me,i always say hello then i do not know say what to him.mom alway tell me that my dad is sad about it.
now,my father decided to find another job which can stay in taiwan.last week we go to sogo department store together.we look like family!!