Lamar Odom Talks Health, Basketball and Marriage with Paparazzo
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Tommaso Boddi/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — Lamar Odom has finally spoken out. During a run-in with a paparazzo on Monday, the 33-year-old athlete was eager to share his thoughts on health, basketball and his relationship with Khloe Kardashian-Odom.
While he has had a tumultuous relationship with paps in the past, Odom was friendly with photographers during the lunchtime chat. A video of the chance meeting posted to TMZ features the NBA player dining with a friend at a Los Angeles restaurant. Odom opened up as the camera drew nearer, savoring compliments on his healthy eating choice.
“Look, even my water is upscale,” he teased, showing off a chic bottle of seltzer water before digging in to his turkey sandwich and salad.
“That’s the only way you can become a champion is if you eat healthy,” he added.
Odom continued his musings on the importance of healthy food choices, arguing eating well is “the only way to be in the parade” – a possible allusion to the annual NBA celebration parade for the winners of the championship title. Odom participated in the Los Angeles Lakers championship victory parade in 2010. When asked to clarify his statement, Odom was all smiles.
“The parade. What’s important to the fans of LA? Winning, right?” he asked with a grin. “Parades.”
While, Odom neither confirmed nor denied his return to the NBA, the free agent appeared hopeful with short, sweet and, at times, philosophical replies.
“We’ll take things day by day. That’s all you can do,” he said. “I’m alive. You’re alive. Does it beat the alternative?”
While Odom was playful in the early part of the meeting, the interview took a somber turn when the paparazzo wished him “luck” on his return to basketball.
“Life, bro. Good luck in life. It’s not about basketball,” he said. “To some people basketball is life, but to some people family is life, finances, success, whatever it may be, being a chef, whatever it is. It’s all about treating people good, being a nice guy. And I’ve always been that.”
Odom grew dismissive as the conversation continued, insisting that the photographer leave, but not before dishing on his marraige with Keeping Up With The Kardashians star Khloe Kardashian-Odom.
After rumors of trouble in paradise for the celebrity couple, Odom had this to say in response to reports that the couple had split: “My man, do you see my wedding ring?”
The happy pap concluded the brief run-in, stepping from behind the lens for a high five and hug with the basketball star.
“Why do tabloids make up stories about you?” he asked Odom.
“I’m too handsome.”
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