The conversations surrounding Lamar Odom have taken a swift departure.
No longer do they contain dire predictions about Odom’s slim chances of survival. That seemed understandable, given the former Lakers and Clippers forward was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital last week after falling unconscious at a local brothel.
Instead, Odom has shown enough steady improvement in recent days at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center that he has started physical therapy, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Odom has not experienced any setbacks after breathing without the help of a ventilator in the past three days. He showing marked improvement with his breathing, vision and the ability to have simple conversations, sources said.
Odom is slated to begin physical therapy that will show whether the 35-year-old former basketball player can walk, said sources familiar with Odom’s progression. But it remains unclear how well he can navigate that challenge.
Odom has experienced frequent fatigue and has received constant treatment on his lungs and kidneys, sources said. Odom could also have serious brain damage considering a 911 call released last Wednesday reported Odom took cocaine and 10 doses of a sexual performance enhancer over three days.
That left Lakers forward Metta World Peace feeling optimistic about Odom’s recovery. But World Peace told Los Angeles News Group that he has become upset regarding something else about Odom, who grew up with the former Ron Artest in the New York City area.
World Peace has publicly praised Kobe Bryant and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak for visiting Odom following last Tuesday’s exhibition in Las Vegas. But World Peace argued the subsequent celebrity visitations have come at the expense of Odom’s children spending time with him, including his 17-year-old daughter Destiny, and 13-year-old son Lamar Jr.
“This is nothing against Khloe [Kardhasian]” World Peace said, referring to the reality television star and Odom’s estranged wife. “This is for the celebrities that are coming to see Lamar. They should know they’re taking time away from Lamar’s children.”
Golden State interim coach and former Lakers teammate Luke Walton planned to visit Odom on Sunday night in Las Vegas on the team’s scheduled day off. The Warriors played the Lakers on Saturday in a preseason game in Las Vegas. The Clippers’ Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan visited Odom last Wednesday and Thursday after the team’s week-long trip in China.
World Peace also thought of visiting. But he decided not to for multiple reasons. The Lakers have preseason games today at Staples Center and Thursday in Anaheim with practices in between games. World Peace does not feel comfortable skipping any of those sessions as he is on a non-guaranteed contract through training camp and wants to mentor the team.
His brother, Daniel, also visited Las Vegas, but was told he could not see Odom.
World Peace also feared his presence would come at the expense of Odom’s children.
“The only Kardashian that needs to be there is Khloe,” World Peace said. “Not every Kardashian needs to be around. They need to keep it simple, so Lamar’s children can see him whenever they want to see him. They’re waiting in line to see their own father.”
