NBA players react to Lamar Odom's hospitalization; Kobe reportedly visits
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom was hospitalized Tuesday after being found unconscious in an adult establishment.
According to Mark Medina of Los Angeles Daily News, the Lakers' team flight was delayed following Tuesday's preseason game so that former teammate Kobe Bryant and general manager Mitch Kupchak could visit Odom. Bryant, who told USA TODAY Sports in February that he had been in contact with Odom, recently compared rookie Julius Randle to Odom in the most complimentary sense.
Others from the 2009 and 2010 Lakers championship squads were also noticeably affected by thew news.
Metta World Peace, cleary distraught, shakes his head when asked about Lamar Odom: "There's nothing I can say."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) October 14, 2015
"Lamar is a brother to me. I love that man. My prayers are with him" -- Warriors interim coach Luke Walton
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) October 14, 2015
The outpouring of love, hope, and support from players around the NBA has been remarkable, with several of Odom's former teammates taking to Twitter to wish the 14-year veteran well.
Dwyane Wade
Wade played with Odom in his sophomore season. Along with leading scorer Eddie Jones, Odom and Wade pushed the Miami Heat to an appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals before bowing out to the Indiana Pacers.
PRAYERS all the way UP for my brother Lamar Odom!!!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) October 14, 2015
I can't help but to be up right now... THINKING about my ex teammate/ friend LO.. On my knees praying...please God let him pull thru..
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) October 14, 2015
Baron Davis
Davis never played with Odom, but the two were selected third and fourth respectively in the 1999 NBA Draft.
Praying for my bro L.O ??... Real talk to young for this ...
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) October 14, 2015
Eric Gordon
Gordon never played alongside Odom, but the New Orleans Pelicans guard was nearly traded for him in a nixed deal involving Chris Paul.
Prayers up for Lamar Odom. Hoping he keeps fighting and makes it through!
— Eric Gordon (@TheofficialEG10) October 14, 2015
Paul Pierce
Pierce also wished Odom well while overseas in Shanghai as part of NBA Global Games China 2015. Pierce and Odom squared off in the 2008 and 2010 NBA Finals, with each winning a championship apiece for the Lakers and Boston Celtics, respectively.
Prayers go out to Lamar Odom and his family please God anything u can do to help him thru this?
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) October 14, 2015
Quentin Richardson
Richardson was teammates with Odom on the Los Angeles Clippers from 2000-2003.
Praying for @RealLamarOdom!! ??????????
— Quentin Richardson (@QRich) October 14, 2015
Other NBA notables
Praying for Lamar Odom today.
— Roger Mason Jr (@MoneyMase) October 14, 2015
Prayers go out to Lamar Odom. #NBAfamily
— Jonas Jerebko (@JonasJerebko) October 14, 2015
I'm praying really hard for my bro @RealLamarOdom please God bring him through this! He needs you! I'm praying for him and his family!
— Rasual Butler (@RasualButler45) October 14, 2015
Prayers go out to Lamar Odom, he's been through a lot, an incredible person, praying for you bro, just fight another battle. #QueensBoys
— Charlie Villanueva (@CVBelieve) October 14, 2015
Prayers out to my favorite player Lamar Odom! Looked up to him growing up. He is the reason I play ball to this day. Sad to see. ?? #LO
— Mitch McGary (@mitchmcgary) October 14, 2015
Prayers to Lamar Odom. One of the lefties I looked up to growing up! God bless
— Justise Winslow (@IAmJustise) October 14, 2015
Prayers up for Lamar Odom and his family! ??
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) October 14, 2015