Friends, ex-teammates praying for Odom
Ex-NBA player fights for his life in Las Vegas
Through the negative headlines about DUIs and drug problems and the daily chronicling of his now-broken marriage with reality TV star Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom still inspired an affection from pro basketball players, friends and fans.
And now as the former NBA star faces a life-and-death battle in a Las Vegas hospital, those feelings echo across the country.
“I’ve been going around the house, and all I’ve been saying is, ‘Fight man, fight. Just fight it. Fight, fight.’ That’s all,” said Daniel Artest, 32, who met Odom as a 6-year-old while growing up in New York through his older brother Ron Artest (now the Los Angeles Lakers’ Metta World Peace).
“I’ve been reading the news and stuff like that online and that whole situation, like how he was found and what not, but I don’t care, man. I don’t care. I just want you to come home, man. Keep fighting. Just come home. We’re here. We love you.”
Odom was discovered unresponsive at a legal Nevada brothel Tuesday, according to the Nye County sheriff, and was transported to Las Vegas. Visitors included Kobe Bryant, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Kardashian.
“I couldn’t sleep last night. Sitting and thinking about LO as the person I know him as and thinking about what he has gone thru in his life,” tweeted Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, a former Odom teammate. “I pray this morning formy brother. Dear God he’s one of the good ones. PLEASE watch over him and listen to his heart speak #Prayers For Lamar.”
New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher, an Odom teammate with the Lakers, praised Odom. “I view him through the heart and soul of the person he really is,” Fisher said. “I’m obviously hoping he can pull through this.”
“I just hope he makes it, so that he knows howmany people love him,” Lakers President Jeanie Buss said.