Odom, Artest Bring NY to Los Angeles

Now that Lamar Odom is signed, we really have nothing to talk about this summer. By the time Odom and the Lakers finally came to an agreement last week, we'd also pretty much realized that, candy and all, Odom's now essential to the Lakers.

But somewhat downplayed—and with good reason, because it's more buddy movie/reality show/confusing regional identity politics than pure basketball—is what it means to have old pals Lamar and Ron-Ron on the same team. "New York basketball" has sort of fallen into disrepair over the last decade, and unless you think Lance Stephenson's about to tear up the college ranks like no one's ever seen, these Lakers are the biggest NYC ball story going. How? Because Odom and Artest could win a championship together while repping Queens to the fullest.

Odom agrees. From ESPN Radio, via Sports Radio Interviews:

“In New York City, basketball is culture. Just like Hollywood has it’s own world, in New York City, basketball has its own world. They’re gonna be a lot of people that raised both me and Ron in the basketball world that are gonna be past proud. You know what I mean? Especially because we’re from New York, we’re from the inner-city area, and now we’re both playing for the Los Angeles Lakers ... It’s an extreme boost, confidence, everything to be where we’re from and to have two guys on the Lakers that both play in the NBA, it’s gonna bring back hope to a whole community.”

In today's climate of constant player movement, what's to stop Odom and Artest from meeting on the opposite coast and setting up a little colony of their own? After all, it's not like the Knicks are making this type of run at the hearts and minds of the NYC faithful, or like anyone on D'Antoni's team has anywhere near the street cred of these two local legends.

If you need me, I'll be cooking up t-shirt ideas.

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