Los Angeles Lakers’ greatest sixth men: 2. Lamar Odom (2008-2011)
Lamar Odom was with the Los Angeles for more than just four seasons but his job as the sixth man came about during the 2008-2009 season. Prior to that, he was a good secondary scoring option behind Kobe Bryant that was acquired in the Shaquille O’Neal trade.
While his scoring numbers were obviously better as a starter, it is Odom’s role as the team’s sixth man on the two title-winning teams that he is most remembered for by Laker fans.
His first season in this role was not as a traditional sixth man as he did still start 32 games for the Lakers, who threw at different starting lineups at different times that also could have included Luke Walton and Trevor Ariza.
However, he still started on the bench more than he did in the starting lineup but was fourth on the team in minutes per game. That is the sign of a sixth man. He really transitioned into the role with the addition of Ron Artest for the 2009-2010 season and even won the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2010-2011 season.
Odom is the only player in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history to win the award since it started being recognized in 1982.
So why is Odom second? Well, the best sixth man in Lakers’ history held the role longer, is an all-time franchise great and probably should have won the award at least once or twice.