Lamar Odom's Former Teammates, Coaches Check in on Him
Current NBA players talk about visiting Odom while he's recovering.
— -- While Lamar Odom is fighting to recover in an undisclosed location in Los Angeles, some of his former teammates and current NBA coaches are keeping the two-time champion in their thoughts.
Los Angeles Clipper All-Star Chris Paul held a benefit Sunday night in Beverly Hills, along with other players like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The basketball stars opened up about their dear friend, even talking about their visits to see Odom, 35.
"He's doing a lot better now, so I'm happy about that," Jordan told People magazine. "It's tough seeing an ex-teammate like that, but I like to focus on the positive."
Odom, a Sixth Man of the Year Award winner in 2011, played for the Clippers early in his career and came back to Los Angeles for his final NBA season in 2012-2013.
"I'm glad I got to be there," Griffin added about seeing Odom. "I want him to know we're here for him"
Griffin continued, "he's obviously doing much better."
Odom was found unconscious in a legal Nevada brothel Oct. 13 and opened his eyes days later in a local hospital. He has since been moved to an undisclosed location in Los Angeles to continue his recuperation.
Doc Rivers, who coaches the Clippers, said he checks in on Odom from time to time.
"This now has nothing to do with basketball. It has to do with his life," he told the magazine. "It shows you what type of guy he is with the love and support. Everybody doesn't get that. Now, we're hoping that he comes out of this and that same love and support he had while he was going through this translates. That's my prayer."
Added Paul: "We're all going to be there for [Lamar], through thick and thin."
Odom's family released a statement last Tuesday, one week after Odom was found unconscious, calling his progress nothing short of "miraculous," adding he had even taken a "few steps."
"We couldn't be more overjoyed,” a rep for the Odom family told ABC News. “We realize Lamar's continued improvement will not be easy, however his unrelenting strength and faith in God will pull him through.”