It’s all about winning for Lamar Odom

MANILA, Philippines — NBA legend Lamar Odom said yesterday he’s open to play in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup where the ceiling for imports if 6-10, which happens to be exactly his height, but at the moment, his focus is winning the Dubai International Championships on Feb. 1-9 with Mighty Sports.         

Since his arrival here last Wednesday, it’s been a hectic schedule for Odom with team practices, one-on-one conditioning supervised by trainer Bryant Austin and media appearances keeping him busy, excited and exhausted. “Maybe, after the tournament in Dubai, I’ll come back and enjoy the country,” he said. “I’d like to get to know more about the Filipino people and culture. Before flying over, what I knew about the Philippines was the Thrilla In Manila because of Muhammad Ali who’s my inspiration in coming back to become a better athlete and performer.”

Odom, 39, hasn’t played organized basketball in over four years. But he’s determined to return to form. His foreign agent Zoulikha El Fassi said he started getting in shape six months ago but has been back on the court only for two weeks. Austin, who operates a basketball academy in Hong Kong, said it’ll take some time for Odom to be 100 percent again but he’s getting there. 

“Lamar had offers to play in China then I was contacted by Sheryl (Reyes) on Instagram checking on his availability,” said El Fassi. “We thought it was a wonderful opportunity for Lamar to play for a country that loves the game.” 

Odom said at a year younger than Manny Pacquiao, his basketball career is far from over. For Odom, age is just a number just as Pacquiao often says. “I’ve won two NBA titles, played on the US team that took the gold medal at the FIBA World Cup (in 2010) and the bronze medal at the (2004) Olympics,” he said. “But even with those accomplishments, my goal is still to win basketball games, to be a better player and to continue to play at a high level. I’m excited to play for Mighty Sports and win for the Philippines. My teammates are great. I love our guard Juan (Gomez de Liano). I’ve met (Santi) Santillan’s wife and son. Randolph (Morris) is a beast and I know (Justin) Brownlee can help us win the championship. We’ve got a celebrity coach (Charles Tiu), too. I’ll do whatever it takes for us to win games, on the bench or on the floor.”

Whether it’s in the NBA or the Olympics or Dubai, Odom said the game is the same all over. “It’s about winning,” he said. “Basketball has grown all over the world. It’s evolved. Now, you can’t say only New Yorkers have the best handles. Players are improving. Basketball is becoming more and more competitive. It’s the same thing in the Philippines. I’m seeing a lot of basketball talent among Filipinos and I’m hoping someday soon, there will be a Filipino playing in the NBA.”

Odom said playing on different platforms is a new experience at every level. “In the NBA, it’s a business,” he said. “In the Olympics and the World Cup, it’s playing for national pride. Each level has a different degree of fierceness of competition, physicality. You’re challenged to play your best wherever you play.”

In the NBA, Odom played for four teams in 14 seasons, 12 of which he averaged in double figure points. His closest teammates were Darius Miles with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers and Dominique Jones with the Dallas Mavericks. He said the best advice a teammate ever gave him was from Bryant who told him to “shoot it more.”

Odom said the most memorable basketball moment in his life was when he received his first basketball at six and went out to the playground to shoot hoops. Two of the biggest influencers in his life were his high school coach Jerry DeGregorio and his father Joe. Odom’s mother Cathy died of colon cancer when he was only 12 and his father, then a heroin addict, couldn’t attend to him and two siblings growing up. Eventually, his father turned straight and reconnected with Odom. 

One of Odom’s cherished awards was the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 2011. “It was difficult adjusting from being a starter to coming off the bench,” he said. “I was doing my TV reality series at the time and my contract was expiring so I had to work hard to make things right. So winning the award was a big thing. It was also the year when Kobe and I cemented our relationship.”