PG: Jrue Holiday, Kirk Hinrich, Keyon Dooling
SG: Keith Bogans, Alexey Shved, E'Twaun Moore
SF: Kevin Durant, Mickael Gelabale
PF: Josh Smith, Lamar Odom, (Jason Thompson)
C: Kendrick Perkins, Jason Thompson, Hasheem Thabeet
I really like the idea of this team with Lamar Odom at center instead of Perk in a running team. Paul Westphal is the coach. He'd be great with that type of a team.
Josh Smith would be incredible at power forward in that type of a setup.
I disagree, there's no way Lamar Odom can be a center unless it's in a celebrity basketball game. Nowhere near strong enough nor committed enough to taking contact.
I think Odom has enough size and physical toughness to play the five. Similar to Bosh (physical makeup, defensive ability, rebounding ability). Not the ideal or typical profile for a center but he can do it if required.
The big question for me is could he get his offensive game in track. Obviously, it is not worth it if Odom can't get his game back to a high level. But if Odom can, then he will have an easier time defending opposing fives than they will defending him. They (opposing centers) will cause Odom some problems defensively but he will cause even more problems for them with his offensive game. A net positive.
The matchup advantages Odom would create in the high post with his quickness, ball-handling, passing and driving game would be a major asset to Oklahoma. Combined with the similar qualities Josh Smith possesses and Oklahoma would have one of the toughest big man duos in the league to matchup against because of their skill-set + quickness.
Even if Odom cannot regain his top form, I still think he is the best man for the backup center job playing 20-25 minutes a night there behind Perk. Probably wouldn't have a running game with J.Thompson but, even with a more limited Odom, it would be fun to see Lamar Odom and Josh Smith play together.
I always wanted to see Odom play the five in Phoenix alongside Nash and D'Antoni.