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opinion
Lamar lights it
up on and off court
Across the board,
every true sports fan must unanimously agree that of all the
spectacular games that have been played this week, one particular
event has certainly overshadowed them all.
Could it be the Arizona Diamondbacks defeating the no-longer-destined
New York Yankees in a thrilling Game 7 of the World Series?
Yawn. Try again.
How about his "Airness" Michael Jordan appearing
in his Washington debut wearing a Wizards uniform?
Wrong. Pardon the Chef while he rubs the boredom out of his
eyes.
Actually, those two events were very significant in the world
of sports and were probably headline news in most newspapers
around the country.
However, we live in Southern California and need to know what's
going on with our local teams. Coincidentally enough, one
local breakthrough sports story has totally eclipsed both
normally monumental moments.
Ladies and gentlemen, Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamar Odom
was suspended Monday for five games by the NBA for violating
its anti-drug policy, according to a report by The Associated
Press.
Now that's funny.
Less than a year ago, the 6-foot-10 Odom, the team captain
and go-to guy down the stretch, was suspended for the exact
same infraction.
"It was kind of immature," he said after returning
last season. "I'll never miss another game because of
a suspension or anything like that again ... Now I'm doing
what I have to with the NBA and myself, so I wont be put in
that position again."
Whoops, it sure is strange how words can come back to haunt
you, right?
As far as comments from team management, Clippers' Vice President
of Basketball Operation Elgin Baylor posted a statement regarding
his thoughts on the Clippers' Web site.
"I am very disappointed," Baylor said. "Lamar
has let his teammates down as well as our entire organization.
But, at the same time, we must remain supportive and available
to help him confront this issue in a positive and corrective
way."
In a corrective way? Why?
Odom has averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and 3.7 assists thus
far in the young season, despite the influence of whatever
drug he was using. So, it really is not necessary to correct
anything.
He seemed to be doing pretty well already and the Chef says
just leave him alone.
By the way, the team earned its first win of the season during
the first day of Odom's suspension. But that 109-86 victory
Monday night at Staples Center had very little to do with
Odom's absence, because they beat the Atlanta Hawks - who
have trouble beating a couple of eggs into an omelet.
Let's recap - the Diamondbacks won the first professional
championship in Arizona state history, Jordan plays in an
awkwardly looking blue Wizards jersey and Odom is suspended
for fives games after violating the NBA's anti-drug policy.
What an exhausting week it has been in the world of sports.
Ben Dimapindan
is a journalism major at Cal State Long Beach.
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