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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 04: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Brendan Haywood #33 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 04: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against Brendan Haywood #33 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

15. Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers

12.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 3.0 APG in 3 seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 1X Sixth Man of the Year (2010-11), 2X NBA Champion (2009-10)

Before he married a Kardashian and succumbed to serious substance abuse issues, Lamar Odom was known as a fun-loving, incredibly talented hybrid forward from Queens, N.Y.

Odom was a point forward before it was cool, combining a point guard’s handle and passing ability with the size and athleticism of a forward. Add in a versatile scoring ability and you had a player who was able to impact every facet of the game.

Although he originally gained notoriety as a member of the “New Era” Clippers alongside Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, Corey Maggette and Elton Brand, Odom became a household name as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Originally starting at the small forward spot as the only player able to hold his own outside supernova Kobe Bryant, Odom was asked to move to the sixth man spot at the start of the 2008-09 season following the addition of Pau Gasol and the rise of Trevor Ariza.

Despite his initial reluctance to come off the bench for the first time in his career, Odom thrived in the role, averaging 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks per game for the season.

During the team’s run to the Finals, Odom played major minutes at the power forward spot in the absence of young center Andrew Bynum and was a huge factor.

He posted 12.3 points a night on 52 percent shooting from the field and 51 percent shooting from three in addition to 9.1 boards a game. Odom upped his totals to 13.4 points and 7.8 boards a night in the Finals against the Magic, including a 11-point, 14 board game in Game 1 and a 17-point, 10-board outing in the championship clinching Game 5.

While his scoring numbers went down the next season, his rebound and assist averages went up as he once again was a crucial factor in a Laker championship run, helping them defeat the Boston Celtics in seven games to win their second consecutive title.

Odom would have a monster year in 2010-11 season, putting up 14.4 points per game on career-best averages of 53 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent shooting from three on his way to winning the Sixth Man award that year.

Unfortunately, the Lakers would be ousted in the second round of the playoffs that year and Odom would be moved to Dallas in a trade that ruined his and the Lakers’ respective futures the next season.

Thankfully, both have begun to pick up the pieces and despite his recent fall from grace, Lakers fans will always hold a special place in their hearts for Odom because of how he gave his all every night for the team.

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