Empty the Bench

By: Zachariah Blott

Lakers’ SF Lamar Odom did it right on the first day of 2010 by posting a 20-10 in LA’s 109-108 victory over the Evans-less, Martin-less, I’m-not-kidding-they-really-are-near-.500 Sacramento Kings. And not just any old 20-10, like the 30 and 11 posted by Sacramento’s Spencer Hawes, but an exact 20-10: 20 points and 10 rebounds. It had the numerical simplicity and purity that Woody Allen’s friend Rob in “Annie Hall” alluded to when describing his dating life: “Twins, Max! 16 years old. Can you imagine the mathematical possibilities?”

The game will be remembered for Kobe Bryant’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and Pau Gasol’s double-doubles are frighteningly frequent for someone who has to collect 4 offensive boards a game to even get a respectable amount of shots for someone shooting 55%, but Odom is the Laker who hit calendar perfection on the opening night of 2010.

Good job, Candy Man! I’m sure Nostradamus is smiling from the grave.

Zachariah Blott cannot recommend Rick Telander’s “Heaven Is A Playground” enough.

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