Is it? The guy lost 2 people close to him during the offseason. Imagine how that would effect your work. Now throw that out the window because playing basketball in front of thousands, millions if you talk about TV, is completely different. Who knows how something that tragic would effect you if you were performing in front of thousands on a nightly basis. It's not like this came out of nowhere. Everyone knew he was considering taking the year off since very early in the season.
He wasn't released. Just put on the inactive roster, so Dallas can trade him after the season is over.
I'm almost certain she makes more money than him. That whole Kardashian brand is insanely profitable... Not sure why.
To be fair, they were only talking about trading the #1 pick for Odom. Once Yao was on the team, they loved him.
I totally get the sentiment but if a couple really close people died, I'd be back at work after the funerals. Even if it did affect my work, it wouldn't all freaking year. Again, I totally understand that it could mess him up emotionally but I think enough time has passed since then that it can't be used as an excuse anymore.
You take personal time to grieve. You don't have license to mail it in at work and keep cashing paychecks for as long as you're affected by the loss. And easy on the spin - he lost a cousin. He was also involved (passenger) in a car accident that killed a teenager on a bike. I'm not saying those are insignificant events, but he didn't lose a parent, spouse, sibling, or child. I lost an uncle this December, but I didn't shut down at work for 6 months over it. I have a responsibility to my employer. If I lost my wife or son, I would take well over a month off, and if I did come back, it would be when I could commit myself to my responsibilities again. Odom wasn't going to give up this year's $8M, but he's in breach of contract dialing in minimum effort on and off the court and pulling shenanigans like his extended all star break to "take care of his sick father" (who was fine, and told media outlets as such) Odom was dogging it because he wasn't in LA, not because he was grieving. Odom is also a guy that's never been known for his work off the court, and the lockout let him get seriously out of shape.
You can't use losing someone as an excuse, if you're still filming a reality show....I don't watch, so i dont know if it's still airing new episodes, but from what i hear, it sure sounds like it. He's got the money to take the year off from both, so that's not an issue. Either you can work or you can't. I hope this isn't about getting back to LA to make it easier on the show, but it sure seems like it.
Damn shame. Odom's a unique talent when he cares. He should've sucked it up a bit but too late for that. Moving out of the L.A. spotlight didn't agree with him, I guess. Maybe the Clippers can sign him when Dallas finds no one will take him in trade. (Of course, the Clips already have a pretty good 4 named Blake Griffin.)
that comment from Kobe makes him look delusional if he thinks the Lakers can scoop him up and everything will be just magic in Laker land next season. I do actually see him going back to a former team- just not the Lakers. the Heat as someone mentioned, or the Clippers would make him a happy camper.