I have heard NONE of the sports “gurus” mentioning the name of Lamar Odom in MVP talks for this or any other season – and it’s time this player received the accolades he deserves. It is my firm belief that Lamar Odom has been the MVP of the NBA for at least the past two years and is a lock for league MVP this year. You want proof? Keep reading.

Okay, it can definitely be argued that others in the NBA are more viable candidates for most “valuable” player. Value is quite a subjective attribute and – as they say – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But I speak of a much more objective measure – most “versatile” player. In that regard, Lamar Odom has no peers.

Odom – at 6’11’’, with slick ball handling skills and excellent defensive prowess – can, hands down, do more things on the basketball court than any other NBA player. Some shoot better, rebound better, defend better, etc. But no one does as many things well. And this is the kicker that I submitted to a friend months ago – a purely objective appraisal of basketball ability. Lamar Odom is the only player in the NBA that can adequately both play AND defend all five positions on the basketball court.

He can adequately play and defend the 1) point guard , 2) shooting guard, 3) small forward/swingman, 4) power forward, and 5) center positions. Lebron James is the only other player in the league that comes close – and he can neither play nor defend the center position nearly as well as Lamar Odom can.

I believe that it is time for the NBA to recognize the most versatile players in the league and award them a trophy and an MVP2 status. Lamar Odom is clearly [as Mark Jackson would say] “that man”. Which begs the question: Why is the most versatile player in the league not even mentioned in the running for sixth man of the year – much less Most Valuable Player. It is my contention that Odom’s versatility should garner him serious consideration for both. As always, I welcome comments and additions to the conversation.
[Psst. Lamar! When the press eats this up and you get more endorsements, salary and incentives; break a brother off.]