Toni Kukoc or Lamar Odom

[SportsGuru08]

Both 6'10 guys who played more like guards, both sixth men on Phil Jackson-coached championship teams. Toni had more consistent range and could post up while Odom was quicker and a better rebounder. Passing is about equal.

Which one do you prefer?

[penbeast0]

I don't agree with a couple of those characterizations. While Kukoc did often play like a guard, I always thought Odom played like a 3/4 though he did like to dribble (maybe too much).

Second, Kukoc always seemed to have better passing skills and when I look at the numbers, his assist% is about 20% higher while his turnover% is about 10% lower. Just seemed a smarter player.

On the other hand, I think Odom's defense against forwards was clearly better; he was stronger and more able to body.

If I choose one for a prime, though, it's going to be Kukoc. The focus was more consistent. Odom went through bouts with addiction and depression where Kukoc had both foot and back issues.

[SportsGuru08]

I don't agree with a couple of those characterizations. While Kukoc did often play like a guard,I always thought Odom played like a 3/4 though he did like to dribble (maybe too much).

Second, Kukoc always seemed to have better passing skills and when I look at the numbers, his assist% is about 20% higher while his turnover% is about 10% lower. Just seemed a smarter player.

On the other hand, I think Odom's defense against forwards was clearly better; he was stronger and more able to body.

If I choose one for a prime, though, it's going to be Kukoc. The focus was more consistent. Odom went through bouts with addiction and depression where Kukoc had both foot and back issues.

Odom could certainly rebound like a PF, but offensively he was more guard-like. He did a lot of slashing but wasn't exactly a back-to-the-basket post-up type of scorer.

[One_and_Done]

It's Odom. Not terribly close.

[xb3at band1tx]

Odom, a great swiss army knife in his prime.

[carlquincy]

Think peak to peak, Odom might be the better player. But Odom needed to be the 3rd offensive option and strong leadership ard him to shine.

[AEnigma]

I think Kukoc is a better talent and a clearer franchise building block, but Odom did show a lot of value in lesser scoring roles. So Kukoc as your first through third option, Odom as your fourth or later option (obviously either of them as a fourth piece means your team is likely 60+ win good).

[SportsGuru08]

Wow, Odom was dominating this poll for a while but I see some Kukoc votes have come in

[GSP]

I think Kukoc is a better talent and a clearer franchise building block, but Odom did show a lot of value in lesser scoring roles. So Kukoc as your first through third option, Odom as your fourth or later option (obviously either of them as a fourth piece means your team is likely 60+ win good).

Odom as best player on a team won 31 games and led a below avg team in 01

Kukoc as best player on a team led a 21 win team (adjusting for lockout when they were 13-37) in 99 to a bottom 3 team in the league

They were both 2nd option to Elton Brand in the same time frame.

In 24 games with Kukoc and Brand in 2000 they played at a 27 win pace.
In 29 games with Odom and Brand in 2002 they played at a 39 win pace.

Odom was better 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th option......Lakers were 60+ win teams with Odom as 3rd best player. Bynum took more shots but he wasnt a better overall player than Odom.

There is no case here for Kukoc in Nba play

[Owly]

I think Kukoc is a better talent and a clearer franchise building block, but Odom did show a lot of value in lesser scoring roles. So Kukoc as your first through third option, Odom as your fourth or later option (obviously either of them as a fourth piece means your team is likely 60+ win good).

Odom as best player on a team won 31 games and led a below avg team in 01

Kukoc as best player on a team led a 21 win team (adjusting for lockout when they were 13-37) in 99 to a bottom 3 team in the league

They were both 2nd option to Elton Brand in the same time frame.

In 24 games with Kukoc and Brand in 2000 they played at a 27 win pace.
In 29 games with Odom and Brand in 2002 they played at a 39 win pace.

Odom was better 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th option......Lakers were 60+ win teams with Odom as 3rd best player. Bynum took more shots but he wasnt a better overall player than Odom.

There is no case here for Kukoc in Nba play

Haven't formed strong thoughts in general.

But sub-30 games with one common teammate (though even he is at a different level of production) isn't exactly ... a fair control.


At their best you'd love to have either. Both are elite "never all-stars". Think otoh Kukoc's box peak is higher, Odom is the better defender, both seemed to be impactful iirc. Odom might require more attention, support.

[AEnigma]

There is no case here for Kukoc in Nba play.

Correct, but the argument was not “1999/2000 Kukoc versus peak Odom”.

You also do not seem to know what “first/second/third option” means. Rudy Gobert, Ben Wallace, and Dikembe Mutombo have never been their team’s first options, although they have often been their team’s best players.

[Bubbachuck2]

Odom! The only skill/trait Kukoc has over is shooting. Passing is pretty equal tho!

[youngcrev]

I think Kukoc is a better talent and a clearer franchise building block, but Odom did show a lot of value in lesser scoring roles. So Kukoc as your first through third option, Odom as your fourth or later option (obviously either of them as a fourth piece means your team is likely 60+ win good).

Odom as best player on a team won 31 games and led a below avg team in 01

Kukoc as best player on a team led a 21 win team (adjusting for lockout when they were 13-37) in 99 to a bottom 3 team in the league

They were both 2nd option to Elton Brand in the same time frame.

In 24 games with Kukoc and Brand in 2000 they played at a 27 win pace.
In 29 games with Odom and Brand in 2002 they played at a 39 win pace.

Odom was better 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th option......Lakers were 60+ win teams with Odom as 3rd best player. Bynum took more shots but he wasnt a better overall player than Odom.

There is no case here for Kukoc in Nba play

Elton Brand was a rookie in 1999-00 vs an all star in 2001-02. Same guy in a short time period, yet pretty different player.