World Peace: Kobe was 'furious' over Odom hospitalization
When Lamar Odom was hospitalized in October, there was a loud outpouring of support by former teammates and the NBA community at large, including Kobe Bryant visiting Odom in the hospital when the Lakers were in Las Vegas for a preseason game. And during the entire ordeal, Metta World Peace provided updates and his insight on the situation. He voiced his concern about Odom's children being able to see their father, and he questioned the motives of some people who involved themselves in Odom's recovery.
Earlier this week, World Peace clarified his thoughts in an interview with VladTV, making it clear that Bryant was "furious" when he heard the news about Odom, supported his former teammate and reached out to him repeatedly:
When I found out Lamar was in the hospital, I was a little bit hurt. I was a lot hurt. Actually, I hated everybody. Anybody who’d ever known Lamar that’s not from Queens, New York. Very bitter. You got somebody you grew up with on their death bed. I don’t even know how else you could feel.
So I was a little bitter toward the Kardashians without even knowing the situation. I was bitter toward every single one of his friends from L.A. without knowing the situation. Because all I know is that my buddy, there were reports that my buddy isn’t going to make it. [...]
But Kobe’s apparently by his side. And he’s home. He’s not doing excellent, but he’s home. He’s alive. He’s in the hospital, I mean, but he’s home. Close to home. I’d rather him be in the hospital than in Vegas. You know what I’m saying? It’s a miracle from what I heard. He’s definitely tired and he’s resting. It was definitely unfortunate. [...]
Kobe supports Lamar. When Kobe found out Lamar was in the hospital, he was furious. I was in tears. It was right before a game. … Kobe FaceTimes Lamar, Kobe tried to reach out to Lamar plenty of times before this incident happened. I was reaching out to Lamar, and sometimes Lamar won’t text back. And we still support Lamar. That’s our boy. Through thick, through thin, negative, positive, I support Lamar 100 percent.
You can watch the full interview for yourself below:
(h/t TMZ)