The Heat got O’Neal on a discount. They gave up Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and a future first-round pick to land the veteran center. The Lakers were insistent on Odom, who played a critical role in helping the Lakers win back-to-back NBA titles in 2009 and 2010. However, his arrival in Miami was due to an agent’s mistake.

 

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In 2003, Heat point guard Anthony Carter was entering the final year of his deal with the franchise and had a $4.1 million player option. He had averaged only 4.1 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.5 rebounds the previous year and wasn’t going to receive any substantial offers. The NBA has a June 30 deadline for players who want to opt-in to the final year of their contracts. However, Carter’s agent missed the deadline, and his client became a free agent.

The gaffe gave the Heat breathing room on their cap space and they offered a six-year, $65 million deal to Odom, who was a restricted free agent. The Heats then traded Odom to the Lakers for Shaquille O’Neal, who helped Miami win their first championship.

Shaq reminds others of how Heat was able to make a move for him pic.twitter.com/BzlCQwfQgQ

— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) February 21, 2024

After Anthony Carter lost out on a massive payday due to an unforgivable error from his agent, he was forced to sign a $750,000 deal with the San Antonio Spurs. He played for eight more years in the NBA after his exit from the Heat and earned only $7.2 million. The agent whose error led to Carter losing out on $3.35 million in 2004 paid out the amount to the former Heat player in 18 installments from 2003 to 2020.

Carter’s agent forgetting to call the Heat and informing them that their player wanted to opt into the final year of his deal altered the course of NBA history. O’Neal shared the video of the timeline of these events on his Instagram page to remind his followers how a minute error proceeded to help add another title to his resume.

Anthony Carter and Lamar Odom’s career paths after the 2003 mishap

Carter retired from the NBA in 2012 and took up coaching. He was on the Sacramento Kings’ coaching staff during the 2015-16 season before returning to the Heat in 2018 in a player development role. He spent five years with the franchise before joining the Memphis Grizzlies as an assistant coach.

Lamar Odom spent one year with the Heat before being shipped off to LA as the main asset in the O’Neal trade. The big man spent seven seasons as a Lakers and became a fan favourite. He helped the franchise win two NBA titles and is remembered fondly by the team’s fans. In the end, Carter’s agent’s mistake worked out well for Odom and O’Neal, while he lost $3.35 million and presumably some potential clients.

The post Shaquille O’Neal Recalls How a $3.35 Million ‘Mistake’ Helped Him Win 4th Championship With Dwyane Wade appeared first on The SportsRush.

Gilbert Arenas dove into the Los Angeles trade that took place in 2011 during one of the episodes of Gil’s Arena. He talked about how the league intervened in the Chris Paul trade that prevented him from going to the Lakers.

“So the trade was Chris Paul was getting traded. He’s getting traded for Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, so one player for two, right? So, Lamar Odom’s going somewhere, Pau Gasol is going somewhere. Now you have Chris Paul and Kobe. 

“On the back end, which no one really knew at the time was Bynum was being pushed for Dwight Howard. So, now you would have had Dwight Howard, Kobe, and Chris Paul. Which no one really gave a sh*t about that. The actual problem was after the trade was done, Lakers had 24 million dollars in cap space.”

“You would have had Dwight Howard, Kobe, and Chris Paul..No one really gave a sh*t about that. The actual problem was after the trade was done, Lakers had 24 million dollars in cap space.”

Gil breaks down why the CP3 trade REALLY was stopped pic.twitter.com/HgDFtwSKgO

— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) February 5, 2024

Gilbert Arenas went on to talk about how $24 million in cap space meant two max contracts at that time. And that would’ve been a problem for the league as the Lakers could’ve brought in more superstars from around the NBA.

While Arenas may have made a solid argument, when crunching down numbers, he might not be entirely accurate. Even if Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom left and the team brought in Chris Paul, the two players had somewhat similar contracts. Gasol’s salary for the 2011 season was $18.7 million and Paul’s contract that year had a guaranteed $16.3 million.

As for Arenas’ hypothetical take, he mentioned that the Lakers would still have $24 million in cap space left even after bringing in Dwight Howard, he isn’t quite accurate there either. After all, Howard’s salary for that year was $18.09 million for the 2011-12 season.

So, to put things in perspective, if the Lakers had gotten Chris Paul, the team would’ve been far over the cap space when paying salaries to players. In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers still ended up spending $81,659,758 in salaries while the cap was set at $58,044,000 that year.

CP3’s take on missing out on the chance to play with Kobe Bryant

The entire league did not bat an eye when the Chris Paul trade to the Los Angeles Lakers got nixed. Though, if there was someone who was deeply affected by this, it was none other than the Lakers’ fanbase.

But apart from the Lakers fanbase, Chris Paul wasn’t too happy with how things went down either. While making an appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Paul finally opened up about how he felt about the trade getting vetoed.

“One of the biggest issues and why I was mad and there was a tweet that I sent out right after the trade got nixed. I said, ‘Wow.’ And a lot of people don’t know the biggest frustration was because, at this point, it was about money.”

Paul did mention how he lost out on the chance to play with the Lakers, alongside Kobe Bryant. But the trade getting vetoed ended up messing with Paul’s bird rights which could’ve gotten him an extra year while signing a new deal with the team. CP3 did mention that there were a lot of other things that played a role then but the whole ordeal did affect Paul more than it did anyone.

The post “Lakers Had $24 Million In Cap Space”: Claiming Nobody ‘Gave A Sh*t’ About Kobe Bryant With Chris Paul, Gilbert Arenas Breaks Down The 2011 Vetoed Trade appeared first on The SportsRush.

What contributed to Magic’s confidence in the Lakers was Kobe’s promise of ensuring the Lakers’ unity and dedication. Kobe had declared to the media that the Lakers were ready and prepared for the upcoming finals against the loaded Boston Celtics. The Celtics were represented by the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Kendrick Perkins, which required a battle-ready Lakers squad to defend the fort.

But Magic’s confidence didn’t last long. Before game 2, he spotted Lamar Odom returning from a shopping spree, just three hours before tip-off. Watching the Lakers star walking around in 95 degrees when he should be resting before the game irked the Lakers legend.

Magic, who was also staying at the hotel, decided to take up the matter with the Lakers coaching staff. The incident is described in detail in his book ‘When The Game Was Ours’. The book noted:

” Johnson rode down the elevator with the Lakers coaches and informed them of what he’d seen. ‘They don’t grasp the magnitude of this moment,’ said veteran assistant Frank Hamblen. ‘They don’t understand they might never have this chance again.’ “

Magic’s fears unfortunately turned out to be true as the Lakers would fall to the Boston Celtics in six games. The loss was a devastating one, as many had predicted the Lakers to take the chip home. As for Lamar Odam, he would eventually get the chance to redeem himself, winning back-to-back Championships in ’09 and ’10.

The Kobe Bryant-led Lakers weren’t the first team to fumble the ball in the NBA Finals and they wouldn’t be the last. Many teams, from the Charles Barkley-led Phoenix Suns to the Shaquille O’Neal-led Orlando Magic, have made the fatal mistake of taking it easy before preparing for the NBA Finals. The lights have been too bright for many teams, including the 2008 Lakers, who had the stone cold Kobe Bryant as their leader. However, the Lakers would get a chance to redeem themselves the very next year.

Kobe and the Lakers bounced back

Magic had predicted the downfall of the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, which was inevitable. The Lakers lacked coordination and Kobe would look like a one-man show during the entire series. Not only did Boston dominate the series, but they did so in a manner that lit a fire under Kobe and the Lakers.

The Lakers would come back the next two years, hungrier than ever before. The following two Championships would possibly be the toughest back-to-back Championships ever earned. The Lakers would also get their revenge against Garnett and the Celtics in the 2010 Fimals, as the contest would culminate in an epic game 7 face-off.

Kobe would take home Finals MVP honors, averaging 28.6 points, 8 rebounds and almost 4 assists a game. But it wasn’t just Kobe who showed up to play that year, as Pau Gasol anchored the Lakers on both ends of the floor. The Lakers would have to wait until 2020 to see another Championship, something that unfortunately Kobe never got to witness.

The post “What is He Doing?”: Magic Johnson’s Trust in Kobe Bryant’s Promise Vanished Following Lamar Odom’s Shopping Spree During 2008 NBA Finals appeared first on The SportsRush.

“Changing your lineup and not practicing is sabotage. Phil Jackson had us putting in the work, the man had 11 rings as a coach for a reason.”

Changing your lineup and not practicing is sabotage. Phil Jackson had us putting in the work, the man had 11 rings as a coach for a reason. https://t.co/yvsP4NbbsN

— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) January 12, 2024

Odom cited an example of how hard Phil Jackson made the 2009-10 Lakers roster work. On the LADE Show podcast, the two-time NBA champion said:

“When we won the second championship, I remember Phil Jackson writing on the board how many times we practiced and how many times we played. It was like 145 practices and 125 games. Like damn, bro. How you gonna perfect and how you gonna climb a mountain if you don’t practice? Changing your lineup and you don’t practice? That’s sabotage.”

Like the rest of the league, the Lakers have a lax practice schedule. In a post-game interview in December 2022, Ham said:

“We barely get to practice, so shootarounds have become like our practices.”

Darvin Ham with a few takeaways from tonight’s win over the Orlando Magic. pic.twitter.com/fdNNuLuChW

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 28, 2022

Last month, the Lakers gathered to practice before their In-Season Tournament quarterfinal against the Suns. According to the LA Times, that was the team’s first full practice in over a month. The Lakers have used ten different starting lineups this season but practice less than four times a month. At times, they’ve gone six weeks without a proper practice session.

The Lakers’ lackadaisical attitude towards practice, partly due to their arduous travel schedule, is evident in their lack of chemistry on the court. They are 19-2o and staring at the prospect of missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Odom is correct. The team must pull its socks up and hit the practice facility as often as possible. He even suggested that the team should deploy “The Triangle.” Phil Jackson won 11 NBA titles as a coach, six with the Chicago Bulls and five with the Lakers, with his famed philosophy. However, as Odom revealed, the Lakers practiced more than they played. That helped the team understand the playstyle Jackson demanded. The Lakers’ casual approach toward practice won’t help them even if they heeded Odom’s suggestion.

Is Darvin Ham on the hot seat?

The Lakers 19-20 record has the franchise’s fans demanding changes. Darvin Ham’s underwhelming tactics have been the primary source of frustration for fans on social media. Despite calls for his dismissal as the team’s head coach, Ham claims he isn’t worried about losing his job. Before the Lakers’ dismal 127-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies last week, the head coach said:

“I’m solid. My governor, Jeanie Buss, the boss lady; our president, Robert Pelinka, we’re all aligned. As long as they’re not saying it, I guess I’m good. Which I know how they feel about me and the situation we’re currently in.”

Since then, the Lakers have gone 2-2. The lack of improvement hasn’t deterred the Lakers brass’ trust in Ham. According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka have assured the head coach that his job is not in jeopardy.

The Lakers have lost 11 of their 16 games and are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings. As much as the franchise’s top brass are resisting a change, there could come a point of no return if the team continues in its current trajectory.

The post Using Phil Jackson’s 145 Practices As An Example, Lamar Odom Calls For LeBron James And The Lakers To Practice Amidst Changing Lineups appeared first on The SportsRush.

Odom took to X(Formerly Twitter) amid the Lakers’ recent struggles to close out games. Odom ended up giving a one-stop solution for the Lakers to turn things around. “There is only 1 way to fix the Lakers… RUN THE TRIANGLE!!!!”

There is only 1 way to fix the Lakers… RUN THE TRIANGLE!!!! https://t.co/C169qUDtPR

— LAMAR ODOM (@LamarOdom) January 6, 2024

The former 6ft 10″ forward who won two championships with Los Angeles believed that LeBron James and the Lakers would benefit if they ran the legendary Phil Jackson’s triangle offense. Not only would that help them win but also somehow fix the team as well.

Odom’s two championships with the Lakers came in back-to-back years in 2009 & 2010. The Lakers were spear-headed by Phil Jackson’s expertise and his years of experience coaching Hall of Famers.

Phil Jackson revolutionized the ‘Triangle Offense’ that served his purpose the best on the floor. Unlike relying on a single-star player to provide a crucial bucket in crunch time, the triangle offense did quite the opposite.

Jackson was able to win 11 NBA titles with the help of his triangle offense. However, since his latter years coaching the New York Knicks, the triangle offense has since died down and hasn’t been used by anyone in ages. So, while the system may have been revolutionary for its time, it may be a bit outdated for the current game, making Odom’s advice something the Lakers should likely ignore.

What could help LeBron James and the Lakers?

The Los Angeles Lakers made history this season, as they played stupendously to win the first-ever In-Season Tournament and clinch the NBA Cup. However, since the tournament, it seems as if the Lakers tend to fumble the game late in the third and fourth quarters.

Many fans believe that the Lakers’ problems stem from poor coaching on the sidelines, targeting head coach Darvin Ham. After the Lakers’ recent loss to the Heat, Ham pointed the finger at constant injuries as the reason why the team hasn’t been able to build a rhythm and momentum.

However, when asked about the views of the players, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves had entirely contradicting statements instead. Even former All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas decided to go off on the Los Angeles Lakers.

He went on to circle out a few players and berate them before finally dropping the hammer on Dravin Ham. Now, with yet another loss added to the total, the Lakers are 17-19 (11th in the West) going forward as they host their intercity rivals, the Clippers next.

The post “Only 1 Way To Fix The Lakers”: LeBron James And Company’s Shortcomings Have Lamar Odom Wanting To Bring Back Phil Jackson’s Philosophies appeared first on The SportsRush.

Dwyane Wade was one of the top prospects entering the NBA in 2003. Being picked #5 in the draft, Wade was expected to be the face of the franchise. In only his first season, D-Wade left everyone impressed. Even though he didn’t win the coveted Rookie of the Year trophy, Wade’s 16.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 2003-2004 marked a very good rookie year. Unfortunately, his talent could only take the Heat till the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Pacers in six games.

Lamar Odom praises Pat Riley and Dwyane Wade

Even though Stan Van Gundy was the coach of the Miami Heat, Pat Riley, Team President, had a huge influence on Lamar Odom. During his lone season with the South Florida side, Odom was pushed by Pat to work hard. On the podcast appearance, the big man credited Riley for helping him bulk up and reach the 250-pound mark.

“Pat (Riley), I looked up to him. He was the head coach for the Lakers. That’s Magic Johnson’s coach. That’s how I look at him. He told me what I needed to do… For the first month of working out, y’all remember how skinny I was? I got to like 250 (pounds) up in Miami,” Odom said.

Odom was a part of the Heat’s roster during Dwyane Wade’s rookie season. Speaking about the dominance of the 22-year-old Wade, Lamar stated how the rookie had a massive size advantage over his competitors.

“I remember calling home about D (Dwyane) Wade. I’m like ‘Yo… we got one. Y’all remember that dude, that we seen, get that triple-double?’ He like that

Too big for the points and like too quick and strong for the two. He gonna f**k ‘em up. And he in the Hall-Of-Fame.”

 

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After seeing what the 6ft 4’ guard was capable of, Lamar was beyond accurate with his prediction. ‘The Flash’ did go on to establish himself as one of the better players in the league. Merely two seasons later, the Marquette alum led the Heat to their first Championship win in franchise history. Clearly, Riley’s Odom-Heat trade in 2004 worked out in their favor.

Wade’s love for Odom

Unfortunately, Lamar Odom donned the Miami Heat uniform for merely one season. In that 2003-2004 campaign, the 6ft 10″ forward lodged 17.1 points and 9.7 rebounds. Despite sharing the locker room with Dwyane Wade for only a season, the latter credits Odom for having a significant impact throughout his career.

“He’s one of the good ones, just a good human being. You don’t run into too many people like that who is just a genuine, good person. He’s just somebody you love to be around. He has had that infectious personality on everyone he has met. The impact he had on all of us individually (in 2003-04), I can’t even explain it.” 

Dwayne Wade was among the many personalities who expressed his concerns with Odom’s drug addiction. The Miami Heat legend has supported and done everything in his capabilities to help Odom fight his addiction.

The post Marveling At ‘Magic Johnson’s Coach’ And His Own 250Lb Transformation, Kobe Bryant’s Former Teammate Sings Young Dwyane Wade’s Praise appeared first on The SportsRush.

Thompson, who previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside superstar LeBron James, recently made headlines for a rather disappointing reason. During his playoff stint with the Lakers, the 30-year-old athlete earned a meager $16,700, which is a shockingly low amount considering his caliber as a player. Unfortunately for Thompson, after the playoff run ended, he has not received any offers from other NBA teams, leaving his professional future uncertain.

Khloe Kardashian’s Sympathy for Tristan Thompson Amidst NBA Struggles

Interestingly, Tristan Thompson’s name has been making more news because of his relationship with Khloe Kardashian than for his contributions on the basketball court. Despite enduring numerous instances of infidelity and heartbreak during their on-again, off-again relationship, Khloe recently revealed that she feels bad for both Thompson and her ex-husband, Lamar Odom.

“Every single day, I feel bad about Lamar. Every single day, I feel bad about Tristan not being on a team right now.”

The Kardashians, known for their reality TV series, have always been open about their personal struggles. On a recent episode of their Hulu series, Khloe visited her sister Kim Kardashian, who was visibly upset over the fallout surrounding her ex-husband Kanye West’s controversial remarks. In an attempt to offer support, Khloe compared her own feelings of guilt over Lamar Odom’s troubled past to her sympathy for Tristan Thompson’s current situation.

Thompson’s Threat to Lamar Odom on Khloe Kardashian’s Instagram Post

Khloe Kardashian was married to Lamar Odom, a former Los Angeles Lakers player, from 2009 to 2016. Odom’s substance abuse issues and infidelity marred their relationship. On the other hand, Khloe split from Thompson in December 2021 after his paternity scandal, where he fathered a child with another woman while engaged to her. Despite their tumultuous history, Khloe and Tristan maintain a cordial relationship due to their shared parenting responsibilities for their daughter, True, and son Tatum.

Adding another layer to the ongoing drama, Tristan Thompson threatened Lamar Odom on Khloe Kardashian’s Instagram post. When Khloe shared a captivating bikini picture, both Thompson and Odom left complimentary emojis in the comments section. However, Thompson’s comment took a hostile turn as he wrote:

“God brought you back the first time. Play if you want, different results .” 

 

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A post shared by Khloé Kardashian (@khloekardashian)

This provocative statement alluded to Odom’s near-death experience due to his substance abuse issues.

The tension between Thompson and Odom has been evident for some time now. In 2017, Khloe attempted to reconcile the two by arranging a meeting, which nearly resulted in a physical altercation. 

The post Falling Out After $16,700 Contract With LeBron James’ Lakers, Tristan Thompson Has Khloe Kardashian Feeling ‘Bad’ for Him appeared first on The SportsRush.

Over the years, the Hall of Famer has developed quite a reputation for himself in the stand-up community. And, that comes down to a variety of reasons, chief among them being the All-Star Comedy Jam. A show that he has presented from 2009 to 2014.

Well, the 2010 edition featured such comedy greats as George Willborn, Michael Blackson, Mo’Nique, Paul Mooney, and Corey Holcomb. But, it was Holcomb’s joke about the man the Lakers traded him for that caused quite the uproar.

Corey Holcomb left Shaquille O’Neal howling with laughter with his Lamar Odom joke

In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat in return for quite the package. One that included Caron Butler, Brian Grant, and Lamar Odom.

Of course, Shaq wasn’t particularly happy about the trade. After all, he felt that he deserved more respect and reverence from the Lakers. So, put two and two together, and for the longest time, he wasn’t exactly a fan of Odom. So, when Corey Holcomb roasted Odom and his then-wife Khloe Kardashian at the All-Star Comedy Jam in 2010, Shaq was obviously amused.

The joke in question was staged and saw a particularly hefty man in a wig run across the stage. This prompted Holcomb to question the Big Aristotle and ask him how he allowed Lamar Odom’s wife to run across the stage.

 

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A post shared by Laughs Direct (@laughs_direct)

However, it wasn’t just Shaq, the entire crowd was having fits of laughter. Although, a joke like that probably won’t fly in today’s world.

Lamar Odom was flattered to be traded for a great like Shaq

Jokes aside, the Shaquille O’Neal trade in 2004 was a huge one. It completely altered the league and put the Miami Heat on the path to winning their first championship in 2006. As mentioned earlier, Lamar Odom was a part of that deal. And, when asked to share his thoughts on it with Graham Bensinger, he revealed how flattered he was to be traded for a great like Shaq.

“I was flatter at the time. Being involved with two other guys in a trade for Shaquille O’Neal. It was flattering!”

It certainly is an understandable outlook. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a part of a deal that sees you move from one big market in Miami to another big market in LA?

The post “Shaquille O’Neal, Why Did Khloe Kardashian Run Across The Stage”: Corey Holcomb Had Lakers Legend In Splits Over Lamar Odom Joke appeared first on The SportsRush.

The Lakers have staged quite a strong comeback to finish the 2022-23 NBA regular season. They were 5 losses below .500 just 9 weeks back, but have finished the season 17-8.

Acquiring D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt has bolstered their lineups significantly. While D’Lo has been a capable playmaker and shooter, Malik Beasley spaces the floor well and Vanderbilt is a great hustle guy.

Vanderbilt, in particular, has been their most invaluable addition as he adds much-needed steel to their lineup. The forward will likely take up the Lakers’ toughest perimeter defensive assignments over their playoff run.

With Anthony Davis also rounding out into form of late, the onus is on LeBron James to lead the Lakers. And given his 20 years of excellence, one can safely assume that James is definitely geared up for these big moments.

on this preview of Lakers-Grizz from @forumbluegold. A stat he mentions: Lakers are 18-7 in playoffs when both AD and LeBron play.

They’re also 9-2 when both have played since the trade deadline. LAL outscored opponents by 17.1 points per 100 possessions w/both on court. https://t.co/8wNO6uECyv

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) April 15, 2023

Lamar Odom calls LeBron James the God of basketball

Lamar Odom last played in an NBA game over a decade ago. The former Sixth man of the Year was a crucial cog with the Lakers as they made 3 straight Finals from 2008-2010.

Odom knows what it takes to win an NBA championship the hard way, having done it twice with Kobe. And the former NBA veteran is reposing the same faith in King James, whom he calls ‘God’.

“God James. His name is God James. The god of basketball,” Odom said. “As long as we healthy, we’re gonna win a championship.”

“God James. His name is God James. The god of basketball.”

– Lamar Odom on LeBron

(Via @TMZ_Sports ) pic.twitter.com/WlCzsoUPV6

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 16, 2023

Odom also believes that Tristan Thompson could turn out to be a valuable addition to this edition of the Lakers. Thompson, incidentally, shares 2 children with Odom’s ex-wife Khloe Kardashian.

What are LeBron’s chances of making the NBA Finals?

It is clear that in terms of pure star power – as well as defense – the Lakers can hang with the best of them. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are likely still the league’s most terrifying duo – especially during the playoffs.

If they are able to muster their best performances together, they should definitely get past the undersized Memphis Grizzlies. The going could get tougher in the 2nd round, when they face either Golden State or Sacramento.

However, their real test will come in the Conference Finals – likely against the Clippers or Suns – should they make it to that stage. Both Kawhi and Kevin Durant have experience of beating James in the playoffs.

A Cinderella run to the NBA championship seems exceedingly unlikely. However, the Lakers still have the 7th-best pre-playoff odds to make it to that stage.

The post “LeBron James is The God of Basketball”: Former Kobe Bryant Teammate Tips Lakers Star to Win Their 18th NBA Championship appeared first on The SportsRush.

The former 6th Man of the Year was a key player in the last two championship runs of the Kobe era. Odom averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds and his contributions made him a fan favorite in LA.

Having spent a good 7-year run at LA, Odom was naturally privy to a lot of what made Bryant iconic. Odom confessed to having been a witness to the Black Mamba himself claiming to be better than Michael Jordan even.

Also read: “That was one before the last time I spoke to Kobe Bryant”: Lamar Odom Reveals Last Conversation with the Mamba was About a Gambling Debt

Odom claims to have been the only one who heard Kobe Bryant make his brave claim.

Kobe Bryant was a disciple of Michael Jordan and that isn’t lost to anyone. But, the fact that Bryant himself believed in him being better than his idol to a teammate might come as a surprise. But that was what embodied the Mamba Mentality. Believing that you are the best and striving hard to make it known through your game was what Bryant stood for and instilled among a generation of fans.

Bryant didn’t second guess his intuition either. As Odom revealed, he did question his Lakers captain’s statement only to be met by a signature Kobe scowl. As Odom imitates the look, any Bryant fan can imagine the situation playing out in real time. No one could question Bryant without disapproval, especially when the claim was by Kobe himself.

While Odom seems to be the only person to have been a witness to this instance, it appears there was a public indication from Bryant of his greatness too. Out there for everyone to see, through his now-retired jersey number, according to Kevin Garnett.

Kevin Garnett reveals Kobe’s choice of #24 was a shot at Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan and his iconic #23 are part of NBA lore. And while normally people pick the jersey numbers of their idols, Bryant was different.

Kobe, inspired by #23, opted to take #24 as a “sign to everybody” according to KG. It was Kobe’s declaration of his belief in being one step better than his favorite player.

“People don’t understand what his No. 24 stands for, people don’t understand that was a sign to everybody that he was a step above 23. And that was a shot at Mike, like n—, I’m better than you” said Garnett of Bryant’s reasoning behind #24. Kevin Garnett on Kobe:

“People don’t understand what his No. 24 stands for, people don’t understand that was a sign to everybody that he was a step above 23. And that was a shot at Mike, like n—, I’m better than you.”

(via @shobasketball, https://t.co/XJYKnXBYrt) pic.twitter.com/mnInC3utYA

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 9, 2023

That definitely is the definition of Kobe’s ‘Mamba Mentality’ if there ever was one. Kobe certainly believed he was “him”. Michael Jordan who?

Also read: “I am better than you, Michael Jordan”: Kobe Bryant’s no. 24 jersey was a dig at MJ, per Kevin Garnett

The post “I am Better Than Michael Jordan”: Lamar Odom Revealed Kobe Bryant Once Claimed He Surpassed MJ appeared first on The SportsRush.