5 Latest Lamar Odom Developments: Theft, Recovery, Apologies

Lamar Odom — the former Los Angeles Laker and reality TV star who was rushed to the hospital last week after being found unconscious in the Love Ranch brothel in Nevada — appears to be on the mend.

But all is not good news for Odom, the estranged husband of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star Khloe Kardashian.

Read on for the latest updates in Odom’s health crisis.

Also Read: 'The View's' Candace Cameron Bure Teases Real Reason for Lamar Odom's Recovery

Odom has begun speaking again. As reported Sunday, the former basketball star’s condition continued to improve over the weekend and he has begun “speaking sentences” from his hospital bed, communicating with family and friends.

He’s also “getting stronger,” his aunt says. Odom’s aunt JaNean Mercer said in a statement Monday that her 35-year-old nephew is “getting stronger and reaching significant milestones” in his recovery.

“Lamar has always been blessed with a tenacious, fighting spirit, overcoming insurmountable obstacles to achieve the impossible. These past few days have been no different,” Mercer said. “He is defying the odds in his toughest battle to date with God’s grace. Each day Lamar is getting stronger and reaching significant milestones in his recovery. We are committed to remaining by his side as a family for our champion, who we love immensely.”

Also Read: Lamar Odom's Belongings Stolen While Unconscious at Brothel

Master P backed down on his comments about Odom and Kobe Bryant. Rapper Master P ignited a firestorm last week when he suggested that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who rushed to visit Odom in the hospital shortly after the brothel incident, could have done something to save Lamar and could get Odom back on the Lakers. Bryant responded with a thinly veiled message on Twitter stating, “When WE feel the need to question the support of others in moments as critical as a life hanging in the balance, then we must question the kind of culture we have created that has led US to such insensitive suspicion.”

The rapper now appears to have blinked over the weekend, posting on Instagram, “There’s a man in the hospital fighting for his life right now. My opinion doesn’t matter at this time and I am man enough to admit it.”

Odom’s belongings were stolen from the brothel he was visiting. While medical improvements and social-media truces have marked the past few days, not all Odom-related developments have been positive. As reported Monday, an unknown thief entered Odom’s suite while the former NBA star was unconscious, stealing his cell phone and belongings.

Also Read: Lamar Odom's $75,000 Brothel Binge: How He Racked Up That Massive Bill

Khloe Kardashian’s family returned to Las Vegas to support Odom. As reported by Entertainment Tonight, Kendall Jenner, Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian flew from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Saturday to join Khloe Kardashian in supporting Odom’s recovery. Kim Kardashian later posted of the visit on Instagram, “Lammy, I’m so happy Kendall and I could make you smile today! God is good!”

Lamar Odom and 13 Other Sports Stars Who Battled Addiction (Photos)

Michael Phelps
The Olympic swimmer got DUIs in 2004 and again in 2014, resulting in a suspension from U.S/ Swimming. Kellogs also dropped Phelps as a spokesperson in 2009 when photos leaked of him apparently smoking marijuana from a bong.
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Darryl Strawberry
The former Mets, Dodgers and Yankees slugger was suspended three times by the MLB for substance abuse, which resulted in a number of arrests and visits to rehab.
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Diego Maradona
The Argentinian soccer legend battled cocaine addiction from the mid-80s to 2004. After being rushed to the hospital in 2000 with heart problems, he was treated for alcohol-related hepatitis.
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Josh Hamilton
Texas Rangers outfielder started experimenting with drugs in 2001. He then got clean after being confronted by his grandmother, but relapsed in 2009, 2012 and most recently, in Feb. 2015.
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Ricky Williams
The New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins player began taking marijuana to ease social anxiety disorder, prompting a surprise retirement from the NFL in 2004. He later returned but failed at least two subsequent drug tests after being reinstated.
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Lawrence Taylor
New York Giants linebacker tested positive for cocaine in 1987. He quit shortly after but relapsed upon retirement.
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Donte Stallworth
The Cleveland Browns wide receiver was charged with DUI manslaughter after he struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his car in March 2009. Following a plea deal, he received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail and 8 years probation.
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Charles Barkley
The NBA star turned TNT analyst was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008 for DUI after running a stop sign. According to the police report, Barkley was in a hurry to receive oral sex from his female passenger. He spent three days in jail and entered an alcohol treatment program.
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Michael Irvin
In March 1996, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver was arrested on charges of cocaine possession when police found him lying on the floor covered in cocaine with multiple strippers. Irvin pled no contest to the charges and the NFL suspended him for five games.
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Nate Newton
Nate Newton made six Pro Bowls in the NFL before being busted for marijuana, earning him two-and-a-half years in a federal prison.
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Todd Marinovich
The quarterback was busted for cocaine at USC before being drafted by the NFL. While playing for the Oakland Raiders, he began taking LSD during games. After numerous NFL suspensions, he ended up at the Canadian Football League, where he started with heroin. At one point Marinovich severely cut his hand with a crack pipe during halftime.
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Len Bias
Bias, an All-American college basketball forward at the University of Maryland, was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. He died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose at age 22.
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Dock Ellis
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ellis threw a no-hitter on June 12, 1970, claiming to have done it under the influence of LSD. He also had a substance abuse problem, and acknowledged after his retirement that he never pitched without the use of drugs.
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