When Lamar Odom’s career comes to a close, we could very well look back on the 2011-2012 season as the year when it all fell apart. Since being traded from the Lakers to the Mavericks, Odom has been a headcase. He was a complete non-factor in Dallas until the team finally decided to part ways with him and pay out the remainder of his contract. To this point, it has been a well-known fact that Odom was devastated when the Lakers traded him. However, a new report suggests his downfall may have had a lot to do with Phil Jackson’s retirement as well.
“Lamar’s old Lakers coach Phil Jackson was like a father to Lamar and when he left after last season, Lamar was really bummed,” a source told HollywoodLife.com. “This sparked the start of the attitude change. Phil was someone that Lamar was able to go to when any and all of his troubles with life and basketball. He was also responsible in using Lamar to his fullest potential, which made him a spectacular player.”
Many believe Odom also grew tired of reality television and has endured relationship struggles with Khloe Kardashian. According to the report, the Zen Master used to help Lamar through those types of issues as well.
“Phil’s nickname is the ‘Zen Master’ and he was very influential to Lamar and his mindset,” the source continued. “He often gave Lamar meditation and philosophical techniques, which were no longer readily available when he left the team.”
It has become obvious that Odom’s rough year is not the result of one particular problem. From the sound of it, everything went wrong at once for Lamar. Hopefully he can get it sorted out over the offseason to finish his basketball career on a better note.
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