Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesLamar Odom's lawyer, Saam Zangeneh, wrote a letter to ESPN in response to Stephen A. Smith's declaration during an airing of First Take that Odom was on crack.
Odom shared the letter Friday:
LAMAR ODOM @RealLamarOdom#slander #ihopewearebetterthanthis https://t.co/rcG1mPFTKR
Smith's comments were part of his criticism directed toward New York Knicks president Phil Jackson, as the show shared on Twitter:
First Take @FirstTake.@stephenasmith is just not a fan of Phil Jackson’s decisions as the Knicks president. https://t.co/zeCEejEBP4
Zangeneh pointed out Odom passed the physicals and medical tests to play in the NBA and noted Smith's "conduct was outrageous and unacceptable" with so many people dealing with addiction and the former Los Angeles Laker actively working within the addiction community.
Odom's work with the addiction community comes after he was found unconscious as the result of an apparent overdose in Nevada on October 13, 2015.
In December 2016, Sierra Marquina of Us Weekly cited a source who said Odom checked himself into rehab "for his kids" and to "start fresh for the New Year."
Marquina noted Odom was hospitalized and placed in a coma after he was found in 2015.
Odom was a two-time NBA champion, an Olympic medalist and the 2010-11 NBA Sixth Man of the Year during his 14-season career with the Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks.
As for Smith, he is known for his often outlandish comments on First Take and recently tweeted that talking about Jackson "makes it hard for me to keep my cool!"
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