LOS ANGELES — Nuggets fans remember the Lakers’ vulnerability for much of the first four games against Denver. They also remember the final two games, when Lamar Odom became a factor and the Lakers were overwhelming.
Well, Odom is at it again in the NBA Finals, providing Los Angeles with another big-man weapon. He scored 11 points with 14 rebounds in the Game 1 win against the Magic, following his 20-and-8 effort in the Game 6 clincher against Denver and his 19-and-14 in Game 5.
“I’m just patient, focused, taking my time,” Odom said Friday. “My (injured) back feels better, and I’m a lot more mobile. And I know what to expect, and I’m making my open jump shots.”
Said teammate Trevor Ariza: “He’s so versatile, and that gives us another weapon that nobody can really stop. He’s 6-11, can dribble the ball, handle the ball, go inside, shoot — he can do it all.”
Odom is a free agent next season, but the longtime Laker said: “Most likely — hopefully — I’ll be wearing a Laker uniform.”
Heck of a stat.
When Lakers coach Phil Jackson wins Game 1 on any series, whether it’s a best-of-five or a best-of-seven, his teams are 43-0. With the Bulls, he was 24-0. With the Lakers, 19-0. Jackson has 206 playoff victories, second-most postseason victories in any major sport, trailing only hockey coach Scotty Bowman, also a Hall of Famer.
Clever ad.
Throughout the playoffs, Vitamin Water featured commercials with fans in a debate — Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James.
Well, since James’ Cavaliers failed to make the Finals, the company creatively taped a new ad — Dwight Howard vs. Dwight Howard. And instead of fans, the commercial features the goofy Howard debating himself. The camera flashes back and forth, features him in one outfit, saying “More dunks than a doughnut shop!” And then the camera will flash to him again, this time, say, in a Jheri-curl wig, boasting: “First team, all- galaxy!”
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
