Los Angeles Lakers: Remembering Lamar Odom
By Chris Walton
The date of Nov. 6 means about as much to me as the hands with which I complete my writing. As a lifelong basketball fanatic, I am also fortunate enough to share this date, my birthday, with two big names in the sport. The first is the pioneer of the game itself, Dr. James Naismith.
I could go on and on about the peach basket and rule establishments, but of course the weight he holds in the world of roundball is evident today. The next figure is one of the NBA’s most unique talents and intriguing stories: Lamar Odom.
As my love for the game grew, I was able to affectionately develop a soft spot of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, celebrities, and basketball at the Great Western Forum. Before the lights were dimmed at Staples Center, this arena was the stomping ground of Magic Johnson and friends.
It even paved the way for Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, and a brief encounter with Dennis Rodman. History at its finest, I tell you!
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As mentioned, Staples Center would become home to the new look Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and some kid from Philadelphia. A 16-1 playoff record in 2001, a lot of Kobe Bryant-to Shaq alley-oops, and three NBA titles sum up the legacy of one of the most dynamic duos in sports.
As Shaq aged, the franchise eventually chose Kobe as the bearer of the torch to carry into the future (technically today). In Shaq’s departure to the Miami Heat, the team acquired an interesting piece to their puzzle in the aforementioned Lamar Odom.
Odom was a 6’11″ lefty who could handle it like a point guard, but use his size-speed combo in the point against slower forwards and centers. The question was never about Odom’s talent, but always what happened outside of basketball. He was never known as a bad kid.
Just a man who loved the game, and would give it his all whenever competing. Life never seemed to provide Odom with breaks.
Dating back to his time as a youth, the uphill battle began early. At only age 12, Odom lost his mother to colon cancer, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother. During this time, he started to excel in basketball, befriending NBA counterparts Elton Brand and Ron Artest on the AAU circuit.
Odom was outstanding as a prep star, receiving a scholarship to play basketball at the UNLV. Shortly after entering the school, Odom would be released due to academic issues.
A second chance at redemption came when he would transfer to Rhode Island. In his freshman season, he led the team in scoring at 17.6 points per game and eventually would enter the 1999 NBA Draft. Selected as the fourth overall pick, his rookie season was remarkable.
Odom posted 16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and more than four assists per game. Those numbers earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team.
The success with the Clippers was short-lived, as Odom would end up violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy during the 2001-02 season. His violations ended up as two suspensions that year, limiting him to 29 games.
Quite like his collegiate career, Odom was able to bounce back from his troubles and produce in Miami (17.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game) alongside rising star, Dwyane Wade. His one year in Miami was enough to intrigue the Lakers, as he became the centerpiece of the Shaq acquisition.
Fans would fall in love with the game of Lamar Odom as a Laker. His versatility and abilities were fascinating, but his personality was even better. Odom seemed to be the buffer to the super-competitive nature of Kobe Bryant. He was the ultimate glue guy.
Combined with Phil Jackson and Pau Gasol, it didn’t get much better than that.
Rough times still followed Odom, and the news was like watching your own family member fight countless battles. Family deaths and uncertainty about his basketball future loomed in Odom’s later tenure with the Lakers.
After winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, the road grew rockier and Laker Nation lost one of their own. The team moved Odom to the Dallas Mavericks for a mere $8.9 million trade exception after the failed Chris Paul trade in 2011.
What did Odom leave behind for the Lakers? Countless memories, including a crucial role in two NBA title runs, tears of joy after a Game 7 victory over the rival Boston Celtics, and a lovable nature marred by unfortunate tragedies. I ,for one miss everything that was Lamar Odom.
He epitomized the constant struggle that many of us face in this world. Basketball seems to be a game that we may not witness Odom play on the professional level again. If that is the case, we have the memories of a hardened warrior on the court and an even better person.
We haven’t forgotten about you Lamar Odom. We still reminisce.