Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom believes Lonzo Ball will be a special player.
Former Los Angeles Lakers versatile forward Lamar Odom recently to discuss his basketball career and other possibilities. Odom sat down with Shams Charania of The Vertical to discuss those things in what was a very good read.
Odom opened up about being traded away from the Lakers following the 2010-11 season. Odom was coming off a Sixth Man of the Year award winning season but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
Odom said that trade essentially ended his playing career and purpose. The NBA was in their lockout and Odom was dealing with a lot of things off the court. His off-court troubles became well documented, as Odom suffered a life-threatening drug overdose in 2015 while in a Las Vegas brothel.
Los Angeles Lakers
Odom suffered multiple strokes, kidney failure and was in a coma on life support. It was the lowest of lows for Odom after experiencing the highest of highs during his basketball career. Since then, he has been trying to get his life back on track.
The Lakers have gone what they can to help. In the sit-down, Odom also discussed how the Lakers had plans to sign him during training camp so that he can retire with the organization. Odom was an integral part of two Championship teams alongside Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, two people he spoke highly of.
There was also an offer to join the coaching staff with the Lakers. The Lakers talked to Odom about a player development coaching job, but he was unable to commit. Coaching is something Odom could get into once he has more time to figure himself out.
One of the players Odom would have had the pleasure to work with, had he taken the job, is Lonzo Ball. Ball was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Lakers, and there is high hopes for the UCLA product.
Magic Johnson has already dubbed Ball the face of the franchise. His teammates speak highly of him, and many are looking forward to taking the court with him. Could you blame them after seeing him play at the Las Vegas Summer League?
Count Odom as someone that is on the Ball bandwagon. While speaking with Charania, Odom spoke highly of Ball.
"“I’ve thought about coaching with the Lakers, but I don’t know if I’m ready to commit myself,” Odom told The Vertical. “It was cool being back around that environment, watching Lonzo [Ball] work out. You could tell he will be special.“It’s always good to be back around the Lakers’ facility. There’s nothing but good memories, besides that trade.”"
Odom is not the first, and certainly won’t be the last person, that is a fan of Ball. Ball has exceptional passing skills, which will endear him to his teammates. His playing style is something fans will enjoy to watch as well.
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While he is only a rookie, the sky is the limit for Ball. His skill set is one rarely seen and gives the Lakers a lot of hope for their future.