Why Lamar Odom Is the Luckiest Man in the NBA Right Now

Two-time NBA champion, FIBA World Champion and 2011 NBA Sixth Man of the Lamar Odom had a wretched season last year, where his field-goal percentage nosedived to .352, his rebounding numbers were cut in half and his player efficiency rating fell to just 9.2.

However, here are a few reasons why he is the luckiest man in the NBA and should be counting his blessings.

He's Still in the NBA

Many similar players after such a drop-off, particularly in years with new CBAs, have been cut and never heard from again. Instead, Odom has a legitimate shot at a third ring in the next year or two.

He's Still Married

Odom is one of a few handful of players whose wife (Khloe Kardashian) is making more than he is. His marriage to Khloe has lasted roughly 1,000 days longer than his sister-in-law's marriage to fellow NBA forward Kris Humphries.  

If this whole NBA thing doesn't work out, Lamar can go back to doing dumb things in Khloe's pool.

He's Back in Los Angeles

It looks like Odom is one in a series of players, a series of players that began with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, from big cities like New York and Los Angeles (Odom is from Queens) who can only thrive when playing in big cities like New York and Los Angeles. Now Odom is back in the big city.

And finally...

Despite His Awful Season, He'll Still Win a Gold Medal Next Month

Lamar Odom was at the bottom of just about everybody's list of the 22 players in the Olympic pool (the original 20, plus Davis and Harden). Unfortunately for Team USA, most of the other players who play his position (Chris Bosh, LaMarcus Aldridge, Anthony Davis) have gotten hurt and decided not to play.

This means that if the U.S. opts for seven frontcourt players, Odom will be the seventh, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler and Blake Griffin.

In conclusion, Odom is one lucky guy.