Lamar Odom found out about BIG3 deactivation on social media

Lamar Odom’s brief time playing in the BIG3 came to an end this week when the league announced that he and three other players have been deactivated, and the former NBA star addressed the decision on Thursday.

In a lengthy statement he posted on Instagram, Odom said he is “extremely disappointed” with the way the BIG3 and founder Ice Cube handled the situation. He said it has been embarrassing for him and that he had to find out he had been deactivated by reading it on social media.

View this post on Instagram

As most of you have heard, the @thebig3 decided to deactivate me for the remainder of the 2019 season. I respect @icecube & the other league executives, however, I am extremely disappointed with the way that this has been handled. Besides the embarrassment, it’s disappointing to read on IG that this decision had been made, especially without sharing it with myself or my manager. Only after I heard from the media, I was then told that the big boys cutting checks decided that they had to deactivate me with no real specific explanation. TMZ apparently did manage to get a clear answer from Ice Cube, “my health was their concern.” I have been 100% transparent about my condition before signing the contract, but at that point it wasn't an issue. I was told after game #1 that I had been given extra time to get stronger. I have been working hard daily to get in better game shape. The willingness & intent has always been there to play. The Rhode Island game that is happening tomorrow was the game I have been looking forward to the most as many people know that this is where it all started for me. I am aware that at some point in life we have to accept & surrender to what God has planned or not planned for us — so I am staying positive. I worked very hard to make a comeback in my life & no rejection can stop me. Thank you @TheBig3. I would love for you all not to express any negativity towards the Big3 as I am proud & rooting hard for Ice Cube to build this league to the next level. He is the only black male owning a sports league in the USA, just let that one sink in for a moment. We must always think about the big picture, supporting our brothers & sisters. Let's all be open to live with the concept of feedback because this can help us to improve. I hope that we can use this situation as a lesson to grow, heal and become better people. I salute all of you, thank you for the love & energy. S/O to Ed Brown for letting me wear his jersey for the Slam photoshoot. Much love! -Lamar. #GO #TEAM #ENEMIES !

A post shared by Lamar Odom (@lamarodom) on Jul 12, 2019 at 9:24am PDT

“Besides the embarrassment, it’s disappointing to read on IG that this decision had been made, especially without sharing it with myself or my manager,” Odom said. “Only after I heard from the media, I was then told that the big boys cutting checks decided that they had to deactivate me with no real specific explanation.”

Odom then addressed the comments Ice Cube made to TMZ, in which he indicated health and decreased ability may have been contributing factors in the league moving on from odom. The 39-year-old said he was “100% transparent about my condition” prior to signing his BIG3 contract and has been working hard to get in better shape.

For what it’s worth, Odom also praised Ice Cube and urged fans to not express any negativity toward the league. It’s not all that surprising that Odom didn’t last in the BIG3 considering everything he has gone through over the past several years, but you can’t blame him for being upset if he found out he had been cut the same way the rest of us learned about it.