Mavs support Odom’s return as he has a good game in win over Utah

After Dirk Nowitzki was done dropping 40, after the Jazz went quietly into the night, after Lamar Odom had returned just hours before to the team instead of beginning an assignment with the D-League, it was a time for reconciliation. And the Mavericks, as teams with good, quality guys do, were ready to stick up for a teammate who had barely been with the team, who had been missing since All-Star with a personal issue, who came under controversial circumstances and brought with him reality television. Because that’s how this league works. You stick up for your guys because they’re the only one in it with you. Not the media, not the fans (not really), not the owners, not management and not coaches.

After Dallas’ 102-96 win over Utah, the Mavericks told team reporter Bryan Gutierrez some things which reflect the character of the team. Odom scored 9 points on 5 shots, had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in 18 minutes off the bench for Dallas in his first game back. And Odom told the team how much he needed them as well.

Odom: “Before the game, I let [my teammates] know how much I need them. I’m fortunate to have a group of guys like this.”

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) March 4, 2012

Odom on what he told his teammates: “I just told them to stick with me. At this point of time in my life, I need them.”

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) March 4, 2012

Terry on Odom: “He addressed the team before we went out. That address was ‘guys, I need you as much as you needme.’”

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) March 4, 2012

Shawn Marion on Lamar Odom: “We’ve got his back. Like I said, this is a family. We’re all in this together.”

— Bryan Gutierrez (@BallinWithBryan) March 4, 2012

The Mavericks are a veteran locker room and that’s one of its biggest strengths. The players may not know each other exceptionally well but they’re in a position o know how to stick by one another and stand up for each other. Odom needs that. Beyond the frustrations, he needs support, or there’s going to be simply no survival. The first steps have been taken. Odom came back. He played well. The Mavericks won. The team rallied around him. Now they only need that to happen for another 30 games.