All the Olympic commentators made a huge deal out of Odom's play during the Olympics. I thought Odom did a great job, but nothing spectacular. Now I'm hearnig these sports show callers from L.A. calling Kobe and Odom the new Jordan and Pippen. So can Odom really be as good a complimentary player as Pippen was? When he played for the Clippers, the entire offense ran through Odom, who tends to pout if he doesn't get his touches and likes to launch up ridiculous three pointers just for fun. I heard Odom was a solid player for Miami last year, but I didn't get a chance to watch many Heat games. I guess Odom does all the little things, but so did Robert Horry. So is Odom really that good or are some of the Laker fans grasping at straws for any bit of good news from this terrible summer?
Really? Please elaborate! Will he be able to withstand Kobe's ego? Maybe Kobe will mellow out after some chronic.
Lamar seems more versatile than Pippen on offense but pippen in his prime was a very good defender which I don't see much of in Odom. He's a good defender but not as good as pippen in his prime. Of course pippen's skills dropped off after he left chicago and deteroriated big time though. Odom is solid but not in the class of pippen. I know many ofyou guys hate pippen and trust me so do I but I can still respect his game for what it was in his prime even if he is a big baby whiner.
Offensively, Odom has a much more well-rounded game than Pippen did. But Pippen was an elite defender and Odom still has defensive lapses. Different styles, different games. I don't see the similarities, except that Odom could be Kobe's sidekick. But if the Lakers get Pippen-esque production from Odom, they would be very, very happy.
Well I admit that I have been saying this also. I believe Odom can be Kobe's Pippen if he keeps his head on straight first and foremost. It would be a similar situation in that Odom can set up the offense, much as Pippen did in his prime in Chicago, but let Kobe, like Jordan be the finisher. Odom is also a good rebounder and good defender, like Pippen. Odom, like Pippen, has franchise player ability, but is just missing that it that Kobe has, and Jordan had. I find the two situations very similar, in style of play, as well as one guy being the clear number 1 and the other being 2.
I wouldn't call Odom better than Pippen. In his prime (90 through 98) he was good for 20 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 2.5 spg, and at least 1 block per game. Odom had his best year last season with 17, 10, and 4, and he has never been close to Pippen defensively (he's good, Pippen was first team all-defense 7 times). Now I like Odom as a offensive facilitater. He can really make things work, just like I think LeBron will. Problem is, he's only effective in that role with the ball in his hands. I find it hard to imagine anyone on the Lakers getting many touches so long as Kobe is out there dominating the ball. Rudy will likely allow Kobe to walk all over him, Kobe will have the ball 90% of the time, and Odom's talent will go to waste. The only hope I would have is if Odom brings up the ball and initiates the O (which should happen, considering their pathetic collection of PGs). Evan
Pippen is a better defender while Odom is a better offensive player. Similar situation, similar franchise guy they have to support. The rest of the supporting group is kind similar too. However, I doubt that Kobe will eventually get a Rodman kind guy though
In what way is Odom's offensive game better than 90s Pippen's? Pippen is a 47% FG and 33% 3Pt career shooter, ringing people up for 20 points and 6 assists a game in the 90s, while Odom is 44%, 31%, 16 and 4.5 for those same stats?
hmmm tough one.. i think pippen is better than odom in these category: 1. Passing 2. Vision 3. Awareness 4. Defense 5. Pressure Odom is better than pippen in these category: 1. Agility 2. Rebound 3. Position but overall they are pretty much the same IMO
You're probably right -- I went back and looked at Pippen's numbers, and those are some damn good stats. I'd forgotten how good a rebounder he was. These are both players' 5th year numbers: Pippen (1991-1992): 21 points, 7 assists, 8 boards, 2 steals, 1 block, .506 shooting. Odom (2003-2004): 17 points, 4 assists, 9.7 boards, 1 steal, 1 block, .430 shooting. Both stat lines are excellent, though Pippen's offensive numbers easily beat Odom's. To be fair, Odom was 24, and Pippen was 26 and playing with the best player in NBA history. But Pippen was clearly the better all-around offensive player at similar stages in their careers.
I'm not underestimating Pippen, and not overvaluing Odom. I remember how great Pippen was in Chicago. He put up unbelievable numbers. One of he best all around players ever, he could do everthing. I'm just talking about Odom's potential, and his role on the team.
Also, those statistics for Pippen are from 1 of his 2 or 3 best seasons ever in his career. For his career he is a 16,6,5 player. I'm willing to bet Lamar hasn't had his best season yet as a pro.
Do you guys think Kobe will inspire Odom to become the best player he could be the way Jordan did with Pippen? What exactly is Pippen's relationship with Jordan anyway? People always talked about them as some kind of sacred tandem, but how did they bond together so well?
I have to disagree. If you watched the Olympics you saw Odom was clearly an effective player while not handling the ball. His shots came off a lot of offensive rebounds, fastbreak, and other opportunity baskets. Just like Scottie Pippen.
I agree. I think Odom has the potential to be better than Pippen, and Pippen was an elite player. I can see Odom getting into 20/10/7 range at his peak. But potential is different from production, and (so far) Odom hasn't been as productive as Pippen.
No contest, LO resembles Pippen at best but would have to become top a 5 player in the league to be the equivalent of Mj and Pip. I'd say it would be like having Kobe and Tmac with one of them being more of a team player and playing to win.
Pippen is a great player, and he did well the season Jordan retired. But he is no Tracy McGrady talent. He was a perfect complimentary second star.
