Odom gives Mike Trudell an exclusive interview at Lakers.com. There, Odom talks about training with Denzel Washington and Wladimir Klitschko, winning his first NBA championship, Malibu bike rides, growing up with Ron Artest in Queens, and more. Here’s a sampler:
MT: Is this the first time you’ve tried to punch things in an organized manner?
Odom: It is the first time I’ve boxed, but I’ve always had an appreciation for the fight game. I’ve always followed it, and the hand-eye coordination you need is incredible. You have to have great lateral movement and be really strong in your core, which is similar to basketball.MT: I’m trying to picture what kind of fighter you’d be, Lamar. At 6-10, you’ve got certainly got the length handled. What’s your reach, anyway? You measured it?
Odom: Nah … but I’d say … long (insert big Lamar laugh).MT: Ha, I’d say so. Long, to quite long.
Odom: Right? But I have a hell of a jab right now, I’m telling you. I jab with my left, so they’d call me a converted southpaw. I keep my chin cocked, ready for war, and I’m learning how to turn that right-handed punch over. So I’ll work off the jab, throw in the left hook, you know. It’s pretty fun. Just to learn something new and different because I love learning new things.
