Los Angeles is a truly beautiful city, a city of angels. Throughout recent decades, LA has become one of the most desired destinations for professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association thanks to franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers and the emerging Los Angeles Clippers.
After a brief stint with the Miami Heat in 2003-2004, Lamar Odom was part of a trade deal that brought Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to the Heat. In turn, Lamar was sent back to the city he was drafted into in 1999 and was set to play for the fan-favorite Lakers. In Lamar’s first season with the Lakers, they struggled, failing to reach the playoffs for just the fifth time in franchise history. The team then signed former coach Phil Jackson to help turn the team around.
Fast forward to the 2008-2009 season, the Lakers were desperate to return to greatness and earn a championship ring. Phil Jackson named Odom the team’s sixth man, a move that added depth to the bench. Moved to the starting lineup midway through the season, Odom shined. Eventually moving back to his former role before the playoffs, Odom assured fans that he was capable of playing at a high level.
During the playoffs, Odom helped the Lakers through each round. The team would eventually secure a title after defeating the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Finals. The next season, the Lakers lost in the finals to their longtime rival, the Boston Celtics.
Odom continued to play strong for a few more years, winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award for the 2010-2011 season. After playing brief stints with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks, and overseas, Odom decided that it was time to call it quits.
In his personal life, Odom has had his fair share of struggle. During his career, Odom lost several close relatives as well as his infant son in 2006. In 2009, he married Khloe Kardashian in a marriage that made him a household name to millions that may not have known him from his basketball career.
During his marriage to Khloe, Lamar has been cited for drunk driving several times along with speculation of his abusing of drugs. In July of 2015, divorce papers were signed by both parties.
Odom was in the news frequently for his run-ins with the law and the speculation surrounding his drug use. On October 13, 2015, Odom was discovered unconscious at Love Ranch South, a brothel in Crystal, Nevada. Lamar was rushed to the hospital where he remained unconscious for a period of time.
There are multiple reports that Lamar Odom was under the influence of drugs that may have caused this incident. However, we cannot be sure at this time. What we can be sure of is that Lamar has a history of drug usage.
Hopefully, if this situation was induced by drug use, Lamar will be able to understand the effects of his actions and will be able to put drug and alcohol use behind him for good.
