So much for Lamar Odom being drunk and depressed.
With reports floating around the Internet that this troubled former NBA star has fallen hard off the wagon, Odom sat courtside on Wednesday night for a professional basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
He was invited to attend the contest by close friend Kobe Bryant.
The iconic shooting guard, who is retiring at the end of this season, visited Odom many times while Lamar lay in a hospital bed after falling unconscious inside a Nevada brothel in October.
“It’s a miracle, honestly,” Bryant told reporters after the game. “In Vegas, he was [on death’s doorstep]. To see him walking around now, like nothing happened. It’s really a miracle. It’s beyond good to see him.”
Odom also played for the Heat during his career.
This marks the first time since the health scare that Odom has attended a sporting event.
He appeared to be in good spirits throughout the game, despite chatter that he’s in such rough shape these days that Khloe Kardashian is begging him to check into rehab.
Odom was given a standing ovation by the Staples Center crowd when he was shown on the scoreboard during the third quarter.
The Lakers actually prevailed over the Heat, 102-100, but Miami star Dwyane Wade Tweeted after the game that Odom’s presence eased the pain of the loss.
“Made losing this game not matter “as much” after getting a chance to spend time with my guy LO. #GodisGood,” Wade wrote.
Unlike Odom, Lakers rookie D’Angelo Russell was booed every time he touched the ball. For very good reason, too.
