This shouldn't really come as a surprise, but Vegas bookmakers have ranked the Los Angeles Lakers as the favorite to win the NBA championship in the upcoming season regardless of how the Lamar Odom situation plays out.
Jay Rood, the director of the MGM/Mirage Race and Sports Book, who was quoted by the L.A Times, stated "Getting [forward Ron] Artest is better than losing Lamar. The core of that team still is what it is, and as long as you keep Kobe [Bryant] and [Coach] Phil [Jackson], nothing changes."
At MGM/Mirage, the Lakers are an 8-5 favorite to win the NBA title, followed by the Boston Celtics, and recent addition Rasheed Wallace, at 3-1, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Shaquille O'Neal joining LeBron James, at nearly 4-1. The Orlando Magic are 13-2 and the San Antonio Spurs are 7-1.
"We didn't change anything when they got Artest, and if they lose Odom it'll just be a wash," said Jay Kornegay, executive director of the Las Vegas Hilton's Race and Sports book, which has the Lakers as the 2-1 favorite over the 3-1 Cavaliers and 5-1 Celtics.
"Odom's a component, but he's not a star. As that team has already shown, if they lose someone, they'll find someone else."
I can see what they're saying about it being a wash after acquiring Artest, but what they dont really consider in this article is the fact that Ariza is now in Houston. I don't think one could make the argument that gaining Artest is better than losing Lamar and Ariza, two intregal factors in the Lakers run for NBA supremacy.
I like the attributes that Artest can bring to the table but for now he is bringing some uncertainty as well, where as the guys were already proven to mesh with the team.
With that said, I like the picking up of Artest over Ariza(sadly), but I would not like to see this Lamar situation go the same route. Lamar, please do yourself and the fans a favor by kicking your agent in the nutts and getting this damn contract negotiation over with. Miami is a fun place to visit but L.A. is your home, and in the wise words of Adam Sandler's character Happy Gilmore "go to your home."
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