There’s no denying that Lamar Odom has had a devastating week. Since being found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, Odom has been in a coma and on life-support. Reports about Lamar Odom’s condition have varied between optimistic and dire, but it seems that now the former NBA basketball player is on the mend.
TMZ reports that as of Saturday, October 17, Lamar Odom is conscious and breathing on his own with the help of an oxygen mask. According to various reports, Odom has also able to communicate, though the extent to which he can communicate varies depending on the source. With Odom conscious, the reality of his situation is about to sink in. But exactly what is Lamar Odom’s situation, and what’s waiting for him if and when he leaves the hospital?
During a press conference on Wednesday, October 14, Nye County Sheriff Sharon Wehrly said that her department had obtained a search warrant and drew blood from Lamar Odom. According to sources who spoke with TMZ , cocaine was found in Odom’s system when he was admitted. If the county sheriff can prove that Lamar had cocaine, it’s “possible that he will be prosecuted for cocaine possession.” Sheriff Wehrly would not rule out a suicide attempt during the press conference. If Lamar admits to a suicide attempt, he could be admitted to a psychiatric facility. If he admits to cocaine possession, he could be facing prison time. That would be especially bad news for Lamar, because it would destroy his hopes of returning to the NBA.
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According to E! Online , 35-year-old Odom spent the summer getting back into game shape with the hope of joining one of the NBA team training camps. Odom spent most of his career in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers before playing one season for the Dallas Mavericks and one season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Odom played his final NBA season with the New York Knicks. He was released by the New York Knicks at the end of the 2013–2014 season, following an arrest for driving under the influence and rampant speculation about his drug use. The fact that cocaine was found in his system could destroy the 6’10” forward’s chance of returning to the NBA.
But the biggest question on the minds of fans of Lamar Odom’s reality television work is no doubt where she stands with the Kardashian family.
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Most members of the Kardashian family have sent well wishes to Lamar Odom and asked that fans pray for him. Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian-West, Kendall Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian have all visited Lamar Odom at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas. But there has been speculation since their 2013 separation that Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian’s marriage deteriorated because of his drug use. Though Khloe has reportedly been by his side during his hospitalization, it doesn’t seem likely that a reunion is in their future.
Radar Online reports that Khloe Kardashian blames herself for soon-to-be ex-husband Lamar Odom’s suspected overdose. According to sources who spoke to Radar Online , Khloe believes that her recent relationship with Odom’s former colleague, James Harden, is to blame for his strange behavior leading up to his collapse at the Nevada brothel. However, this seems unlikely given the fact that Khloe Kardashian and James Harden have been dating since at least July — the same month in which Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian signed their divorce papers. Another theory is that Lamar spiraled out of control after viewing an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which was particularly critical of his continued association with his ex-wife. Given the fact that Odom has been a reality television star since he began dating Khloe Kardashian in 2009, during which time the demise of his relationship with Kardashian was shown, that also seems unlikely.
It seems that, for Lamar Odom, surviving whatever caused him to collapse in Nevada may be the first of many battles to come.
[Photo by Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images]