Former Lakers and Clippers forward Lamar Odom reportedly checked into a rehabilitation center. John McCoy/Staff Photographer
After continuously struggling with drug addiction, former Lakers and Clippers forward Lamar Odom has checked himself into a rehabilitation center, according to a report by People.com.
Police arrested Odom Friday morning on the suspicion of driving under the influence after California Highway Patrol officers saw him moving erratically on the 101 Freeway in Sherman Oaks. CHP spokesman Officer Leland Tang said the 33-year-old Odom was driving well under the speed limit at just 50 mph in a 65 mph zone before he was pulled over at 3:25 a.m. Odom also will have a suspended license after failing several field sobriety tests and refusing to take a blood test or breathalyzer. Odom is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 27. Odom’s arrest coincided with a week-long flurry of reports on his apparent addiction to crack cocaine.
Odom’s publicity team and agent, Jeff Schwartz, haven’t responded to numerous requests for comment.
Both the Lakers and Clippers had expressed varying forms of interest in him as an unrestricted free agent. Despite meeting with Odom in early July, the Lakers’ interest soon dwindled. The Clippers wanted to resign Odom despite spending half of last season out of shape and averaging a career-low four points on 39 percent shooting and 5.9 rebounds per game. But the Clippers’ interest quickly declined this week in the midst of reports surrounding Odom’s personal problems. The Clippers, instead, acquired former Lakers forward Antawn Jamison.
Odom provided the most production during his seven years with the Lakers from 2004-2011 where he won two NBA championships (2009, 2010) and won the league’s sixth man of the year (2011).
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