Los Angeles Lakers: The five best players that were never all-stars

By Jason Reed | Apr 27, 2020

BOSTON - JUNE 08: Derek Fisher #2 and Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Boston Celtics in Game Three of the 2010 NBA Finals on June 8, 2010 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom was a critical part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ back-to-back NBA Championships at the turn of the decade and really blossomed as a sixth man off the bench once the team acquired Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Odom was a big part of the trade package that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat after the 2004 NBA Finals and up until Gasol was traded for, Odom was one of few reliable role players alongside Kobe Bryant.

He was a consistent scoring and rebounding presence, always floating around 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. If Odom would have improved from the three-point line, something that is now a requirement in the NBA, then he really could have blossomed as a great stretch four that could have made an all-star team.

Besides his two NBA Championships, the only accolades that Odom has in his mantle is an All-Rookie nod and the Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2010-2011 season, which is no easy award to pull off.

Odom ranks 15th in total win shares in franchise history and is actually ahead of the next person on this list. However, while Odom might be the better overall player than number three, he does not have the same historical impact.

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