Lamar Odom's Clippers Coach Speaks Out
Lamar Odom's coach on the Los Angeles Clippers spoke up about the NBA free agent amid reports that the 33-year-old basketball player is struggling with substance abuse.
Odom averaged 4.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 82 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Vinny Del Negro, the former Clippers' coach who coached Odom last season, spoke about his feelings concerning the troubled NBA player who was recently arrested on suspicion of a DUI.
"I understand he is going through a lot right now. It is never easy," Del Negro told The Los Angeles Times. "He has always had some difficult obstacles and they weigh on him a lot. You feel bad, but you hope he is all right."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Odom's former coach insisted that the two-time NBA champion can still contribute to a team, although it is questionable if he will do so this year.
"Lamar can still play," Del Negro told The Times. "It's not the basketball skills that are the problem. Once he gets himself in shape and gets his mind wrapped around basketball, he can help [a team]."
Odom's agent Jeff Schwartz insisted that he is still planning to continue his professional basketball career.
"Playing in the NBA is still very much a part of Lamar's plans," Schwartz told ESPN.
The free agent seems to have the support of his fellow NBA players. Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder forward, was recently questioned about players in the league supporting Odom during his tough times.
"Yeah no doubt," Durant told TMZ reporters last month. "It's a brotherhood."
John Wall, the Washington Wizards point guard, seemed to express the same support for
Odom amid media speculation.
"I just hope he figures it out," Wall told TMZ. "That's it."
While People magazine initially reported that Odom checked himself into a rehabilitation center, E! News is reporting that he stayed at the facility one day before leaving.
