Lamar Odom has said all the right things about his relegation/assignment to 6th man status this season, but I figured it was worth a question to his good friend, Ron Artest. The two grew up in New York City about the same time and have remained close over the years.

“He’s an unselfish player. He never has been. I’ve played with him since I was younger and I know he doesn’t mind at all. He can’t be mad, he’s made almost $ 100 million dollars in this league. He’s doing something right.

“I know Lamar wants to win. He had a championship when he was in high school, when he was a sophomore and I know he wants to win again.

“If that means he has to come off the bench … it’s not about Lamar, it’s about the Lakers.”