Shawn Marion vs. Lamar Odom

[magicfan4life05]

1. Who is the better player?

2. Who do you want on your team?

Shawn Marion
Miami Heat
Position: F
Height: 6-7 Weight: 230
College: UNLV
Player file | Team stats
2007-08 Statistics
PPG 15.4
RPG 10.2
APG 2.2
SPG 2.0
BPG 1.4
FG% 0.508
FT% 0.707
3P% 0.333
MPG 36.7

VS

Lamar Odom
Los Angeles Lakers
Position: F
Height: 6-10 Weight: 230
College: Rhode Island
Player file | Team stats
2007-08 Statistics
PPG 14.2
RPG 10.6
APG 3.5
SPG 1.0
BPG 0.9
FG% 0.525
FT% 0.698
3P% 0.274
MPG 37.9

[Silk Wilkes]

Both players' middle names are Versatile. However, if I had to pick I'd take Marion simply because he may be the slightly more versatile of the two.

[tracey_nice]

Odom easily, Marion is so overrated, not only that he is also delusional.

[Basileus777]

Marion is unquestionable better at SF, but its not quite at clear who is better at PF. Personally I'd rather have Marion. He is the much better defender and can hit a jump shot (which helps spacing, especially at SF). Odom is a much better passer and is better at creating for himself, but thats less important for a 3rd option. Both score mostly off garbage points and shots created by someone else anyway.

[dockingsched]

at pf, odom destroys marion.

[tsherkin]

Tough call, depends on the team. They have differing strengths.

Rebounders of comparable value (Marion is a little better) and both capable of playing the 3/4, they are versatile defenders and nice all-around talents.

Odom is a more capable isolation scorer (most especially when you put him backdown in the post but even on the wing) and obviously a considerably better passer.

Marion is 3" shorter but concordantly more capable at defending small guys... including the Tony Parkers of the league, in short bursts, which doesn't work with Odom.

So it really depends on your guards. Are your guards capable of holding their own defensively? Do you have a really big-time point-forward type or a high-volume wing passer at the 2?

Marion is one of the best off-ball movers in the league; he can score 16-20 points a game just off of alleys and cuts and what-not, being in the right place at the right time isn't a skill with him, it's a state of being, kind of like with Antawn Jamison (only with more athleticism and less post skills).

I think they're roughly equivalent players, a little edge Marion's way, but they are different enough that they are situational selections.

I'd take Marion back on the Suns, for example, because D'Antoni refused to use DJ Strawberry to back him and Raja up on defense to spell them so they didn't wear down. Plus, his perimeter D was nasty, so even if Mike D's replacement opens up the rotation a little and embraces DJ, he's still going to need someone else... unless Grant Hill is healthy all year but even still. Marion could defend Parker; Hill, not nearly as well (but still better than Nash).

I'd definitely stick with Odom on the Lakers, though; Marion's offense isn't needed as much with Gasol around and because Gasol is a good low-post defender, the need for defense on the lightning-bug guards of the league is lessened. Too, Kobe's a great defender when he's got help and that negates the need for a really nasty wing defender. And then when Bynum comes back...

[shawngoat23]

Odom for both. Unless you're talking about fantasy teams, and then I'll take Marion for my team. Oh, except that he sat out with a phantom injury.

[Relentless88]

I'll take Odom, he is playing unbelievable basketball and seems like he'll fit in with any team. Very good complimentary player. Marion maybe the better player but I'll take Odom.

[Alex_De_Large]

I thought Marion was better, but he definitely made good stats thanks to D'antoni system, he was nothing special before 2004, a good player but nothing else, Odom in the other hand is a more talented player, and i think he is better basketball player than Shon Marion.

If i have to choose someone for the Rockets, i choose Shon Marion cause he is a better fit for the team.

So
1. Odom 2. Marion

[Ballings7]

Odom is the better basketball player, but unique

Marion generally is a better fit

I definitely like Odom more though

[That Nicka]

Marion for SF
Odom for PF

[The Diesel]

Marion.

[Hunter]

Marion went from being underrated to overrated. In part because of how highly Marion rates himself. This is just a general impression I've gotten, and maybe I've wrong but he comes across as being high maintenance and requiring a lot of ego stroking.

I love the guys game, but between his attitude and his salary I'll take Odom pretty easily.

[Patterns]

Odom is a more talented player and I'd want him right now over Marion for the Lakers. But next year when Bynum comes back, give me Marion because he can space the floor and do the dirty work.