Odom is very grateful to Kobe for returning millions of dollars in gambling debts to him and helping him become a superstar

On June 16, in the history of the NBA, Kobe Bryant's name is forever engraved in the palace of legends. He is not only a killer on the court, but also a mentor and guide for many young players. Among these players influenced by him, Lamar Odom's story is particularly sad. Odom once publicly expressed his gratitude to Kobe. This gratitude comes from Kobe's selfless help at the trough of his life, including repaying millions of dollars in gambling debts and careful guidance in his career. However, Odom ultimately failed to fully realize his talent due to his undisciplined living habits, and also disappointed Kobe's expectations for him.

Odom's fate with Kobe began in 2004, when Odom was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and became Kobe's right-hand man. At that time, Odom was gifted, had excellent passing vision and comprehensive skills, and was known as the "left-handed magician". However, his career has never met expectations, partly because of his lack of Kobe's almost paranoid self-discipline and concentration. Kobe quickly noticed this and decided to help the teammate. Not only did he strictly demand Odom in training, he also gave him spiritual support off the court. Kobe has mentioned in interviews many times that Odom is one of the most talented players he has ever seen, but he needs to work harder to realize this talent.

In 2009 and 2010, the Lakers won the NBA championship for two consecutive years, and Odom played an important role in these two journeys. Especially in the tiebreak battle against the Boston Celtics in the 2010 Finals, Odom's performance was crucial. Kobe said when hugging Odom after the game, "You did it, brother." At this moment, Odom felt Kobe's trust and recognition, and also made him more determined to follow Kobe's footsteps. However, the good times did not last long. With the changes in the Lakers' roster and Odom's own ups and downs, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. This deal had a huge blow to Odom, and he began to fall into confusion and gradually walked into the abyss of self-indulgence.

Kobe's concern for Odom did not stop because of his departure. In 2015, Odom was in a coma in a Nevada brothel due to excessive drug use and alcohol abuse. After learning the news, Kobe rushed to the hospital as soon as possible and stayed with Odom. He even privately paid Odom a million dollars in gambling debts, hoping he could cheer up again. After recovering, Odom recalled: "Bryant is like my eldest brother, he never gave up on me. Even at my worst, he still believed that I could come back." However, despite Kobe's efforts, Odom failed to completely get rid of his undisciplined lifestyle. His career is gradually coming to an end, and Kobe also unfortunately passed away in a 2020 helicopter accident, leaving Odom with endless regret and regret.

Odom's gratitude to Kobe is not only because of Kobe's help in money and career, but also because Kobe gave him unconditional trust and love. Kobe once said to him: "You can be the best yourself, but you have to give everything for it." This sentence is deeply imprinted in Odom's heart, but he has never been able to fully practice it. After Kobe's death, Odom expressed his nostalgia and gratitude for Kobe many times in public. He admitted that if time could go back, he would definitely cherish every opportunity and every advice Kobe gave him more.

Odom's story is a complex narrative about talent, gratitude and regret. He has the basketball talent that many people dream of, and also met a mentor like Kobe who is willing to teach him all, but because of his own lack of self-discipline, he failed to reach the level he deserved. Kobe's help and expectations eventually became the eternal spur in Odom's heart. Today, Odom is still working to rebuild his life, and Kobe's spirit continues to inspire him. Perhaps, this is the last gift Kobe left to him - no matter how many regrets there were in the past, the future can still start over.

In the NBA world, stories like Odom are not uncommon. Talent and opportunity are important, but self-discipline and persistence are the keys to how far a person can go. Kobe's life proves this, and Odom's experience sounds the alarm for us from the opposite side. A gratitude is valuable, but only by turning this gratitude into action can we truly live up to those who once believed in us and helped us.