Yeah, he was definitely a big show player, I mean his stats was good too but not amazing, he was never a "winner" but when he played, you really wanted to watch him, and his dunk contest was one of the better ones. I wish more players invested during their playing careers, into things that made them money.

But some of them go bankrupt even while playing, like literally while they are playing. So it is clear that these players have variety different approach. Some are great, some are okay, and some are just terrible.

It is right that the terrible ones just lose all their money by spreading around to all they know, and spending like crazy. I am sorry but a dozen bottles of drinks every night at some club will make you run out of money of course.

Lamar odom journey as a player is from great to worse, right now lamar odom after being evicted in a rented house, he is trying to be in the right track and is starting an academy, he has some money left, but for sure this is his last shot to be in a better spot, hopefully he will not return to his old habits and stay away from girls like what happen to him before, also gambling, if not then he will eventually end in the streets.

You can read his rise,fall and recovery in this article https://yen.com.gh/facts-lifehacks/biographies/288334-lamar-odom-net-worth-rise-fall-recovery-a-basketball-legend/

And so far its great to see that Odom is doing well in life now after he suffer from major seat backs on his career.

For sure he learn a lot from his past mistake and correct those things since for sure he don't want to get broke anymore. He's having good now in showbiz scene and this is good since somehow with that this could help on his full recovery.

I remember Delonte, he's one of the guys that has ended up badly after having a successful career in the NBA. It's all about lifestyle and how they have handled their finances. People like him that the spotlight and lime career during his stay in the NBA will never be gone. I also remember Allen Iverson barely recover from his financial problem. And that's another fact you've said, while we're not wishing that there will be another bad story in the after-NBA career but it's very likely that one star on this era will end up badly if they don't become wise with their money.

You know, it's getting worse now. Players are getting caught up in plenty of negative and illegal activities while they are still actively playing in the NBA. People like Delonte suffered the consequences of their actions after they got out of the league, if I'm not mistaken.
Some have even been caught in possession of illegal drugs. I don't know if it's part of being young and dumb, but LeBron did a very outstanding job on and off the court, and what's really impressive about him is that he grew up without a father.

Delonte West really is a prime example of how you can lose control despite having it all. Guy got money, a career, even supposedly slept with Lebron's mum  , and what is he now, a street bum. So sad, especially considering how many people tried to help him. When the news first came out about his downfall Marc Cuban helped him, checked him into rehab and everything looked promising. Then he even tried to get a spot in the Big3 league participating in a tryout (can be seen on youtube). Well, it all went bad again and he is back on the streets now, stoned out of his mind and looking worse than ever. Such a sad example.

Yes, it was really a wake up call for him and be able to see that something is not right for him that time. And maybe he just surround himself with the wrong people that's why he was influence in not a right way. Good thing he recovers and hopefully he already learn from his mistakes and those new players who have seen him and others life turning into upside down after their NBA career, will not follow it.

Not much news on the trade with Kuminga, still very silent and it means that he might have to play with the Warriors this season. Only news that I saw is Free agent forward Javonte Green is finalizing a one-year deal with the Detroit Pistons.

Michael Porter Jr gave an interview (with Stevewilldoit’s old assistant turned nelkboy) where he talked a lot about sports gambling, named a lot of names, and explained why they do it. Here’s a clip of the interview on X, or you can catch the whole thing on YouTube (one night with steiny).

https://x.com/thedunkcentral/status/1955349932597997968

Lakers are building not a bad team at all. Marcus Smart and Ayton joined this season, they already had Lebron and Doncic. They also have not bad rotation players around them, Hayes, Reaves, Rui, these are all decent level players. I am not entirely sure how great Lebron can be this season, or how they will make it work with Doncic, but I think they have what they need from both guards and bigs now.

Marcus Smart and Reaves at guard, Hayes and Ayton at bigs, with Doncic and Lebron at wings, with Rui helping out? That feels like a team that should be able to have a good deep playoff run at least. I can't of course know what's going to happen, but it feels like that could be working out properly for them. It is not going to be like last year, they can definitely make it work better this year.