Why Is Lamar Odom So Terribly Inconsistent?

Lamar Odom is one of the most exciting and frustrating players in the league right now.

The Los Angeles Clippers drafted Odom fourth overall in the 1999 NBA draft. Odom stayed in Clipper land from 1999-2005 but then signed with the Miami Heat during free agency. 

Odom was very productive in Clipper land and Miami, but fans were expected more from the lanky 6'10 forward.

Pat Riley once said that Odom was the only forward coming into the NBA who had a similar skill set to the great Magic Johnson. 

After one year with the Heat, Odom was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Laker fans were expecting Odom to play the role of Pippen to Kobe's Jordan.

That obviously didn't happen, as the Lakers missed the playoffs his first year there while also being consistently average the next two years until Andrew Bynum's emergence and Pau Gasol's arrival. 

The 6'10 forward has an extremely long wing span and a versatile skill-set.

Odom can handle the ball, take you off the dribble, shoot the perimeter shot, pass, post-up (though he doesn't do it as much now), start a fast-break, play great individual and help defense, you get the point. 

Ever since Gasol arrived, Odom has been on the bench while Bynum starts. Once Odom accepted his sixth man role, he understood that any hopes of still becoming a star player would end.

Odom isn't a scorer like Terry or Crawford, so he won't get the media recognition like those players get.

Laker fans will never forget Odom's sacrifice and thought that role would suit him best but he is still as inconsistent as ever. He had a terrible post-season last year and fans are getting restless with these inconsistent performances. 

Here are some reasons as to why Lamar Odom has been inconsistent all these years. 

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