In this era where superstars are crowned off hype, premature of any accomplishments, Lamar Odom remains humble and unaware what power he possess. At his size, quickness, ball handling capabilites and 3-point range he appears to have a European skill set. But his style is purly playground-esqe. Lamar has yet to achieve true awareness to how unstoppable he can truly be. There are a limited few big men in the league that could defend him.

Maybe the reason Odom has yet to reach his potential is due to the large shield he stands behind named Kobe Bryant. Having a player that does all the tough stuff, like scoring routinly as the clock runs down makes you stagnant. Trevor Ariza had the pleasure of watching Kobe get him a championship ring. Ariza then went to a team where he was watched by the other players expecting him to know what to do. When MJ retired Scottie Pippen got to go a season and a half being watched, and was thrilled to have MJ back. Unfortunately for Odom, Kobe isn’t going anywhere. But since when is winning championships a bad thing.

During this years Playoffs Odom has showed flashes of greatness. He is averaging 10.9 points and 9.3 boards, and had 19 points and 19 boards in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers are unstoppable if and when Odom plays at the level everyone knows he is capable of. Hard part is Odom realizing this himself.

(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant- Fundamentally Sound

Kevin Garnett cusses at Lamar Odom(this has 76,000 views)

Kobe Bryant Dunk BLOCKED by Lebron James

NBA: Definition of the Zone

36.4 ppg/ 5.2 rpg/ 2.8 spg/ 2.6 apg

This past week for Kobe must have felt like the old days. No Pau Gasol, no Andrew Bynum, just Kobe and and friends. He averaged 26.4 shot attempts a game, and they were all needed. Ron Artest is slowly gelling with the team, and Lamar Odom has his perennial ups and downs. With defeats of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets in overtime on back-to-back nights Kobe scored 31, and 41. He has put up 41 points three times this week, leads the league in scoring and is second in steals. Congratulations Kobe, on being the Truth Sports Player of the Week (11/01-11/08)