Because Lamar Odom quit the Dallas Mavricks, people have started reaching to explain how he slid from the LA Lakers to the Mavricks’ d-leagues to the bench. Without too much blaming his wife or her fame-whore family for wasting Odom’s time on reality television not even tangentially related to his day job, sources are speculating that Odom is to blame for his own demise. More specifically, he’s been distracted and unprofessional since being compelled to join the Mavricks in December. Mavricks owner Mark Cuban reportedly worried about Odom’s perfunctory efforts, speculates a source: ‘The decision was made by the team owner Mark Cuban after Lamar did not play in the second half of a game against Memphis. The team was upset by his inconsistent effort on the court and was concerned about how his demeanor could impact the team’s younger players.’
Despite Odom’s insistence that the separation was mutual, sources say he was basically fired for causing drama: ‘The Mavericks are parting ways with Lamar today. Too much drama, not enough focus on basketball. He just couldn’t get past all his issues, whatever they may be, and concentrate on playing basketball.’
Moreover: ‘It’s not anything with Khloe, in fact, she has been the smartest one in his group and has been pushing him hardest to stay focused on his job.’
Adds another source, Odom has been behaving oddly: ‘Lamar hasn’t gotten over being traded from the Lakers, and he has been depressed and moody ever since the trade happened. Lamar felt that he was ripped away from his Laker family with no warning or notice. He couldn’t fathom the fact that the Lakers traded him after all of his years with the team. Khloe has been extremely supportive of Lamar, but she is growing increasingly concerned for her husband because she has never seen him like this before… Lamar is just lost right now, and Khloe is hoping once they move back to Los Angeles and he is back in familiar surroundings, he will get out of his funk. Lamar wants to keep playing basketball but it might be time for him to retire, which has Khloe even more concerned.’
