Former NBA star Odom makes debut in Spain

Lamar Odom. AP FILE PHOTO

VITORIA, Spain— Former NBA star Lamar Odom lacked game shape and showed rust in his debut for Spanish club Baskonia, which lost 81-71 to Unicaja Malaga on Thursday.

Odom, a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, joined the Basque team last week after being out of contract since the close of the last NBA season, when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Odom played just six minutes to finish the first half, grabbing two rebounds while committing three fouls.

The 34-year-old power forward showed a lack of match fitness and touch after 10 months out of the game as he also missed a three-point shot attempt.

Odom did not return in the second half of the Euroleague game as coach Sergio Scariolo said Odom’s body was dealing with the aches and pains of a long layaway.

“That’s normal at his age after being 10 months out of the game. But he’s left a good impression,” Scariolo said. “They are typical muscle problems so we just want to be cautious. We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”

Baskonia’s next game is at Valencia on Sunday.

RELATED STORIES
Spanish club baskonia inks Odom to short term deal