“My rook! You’re always going to be my rook!” That’s how Lamar Odom described Dwyane Wade in the Miami Heat HOF video last year. Odom and Wade arrived in Miami the same year. LO was a popular free agent and D-Wade was a 5th overall pick in the draft. While Odom played for only a year, he certainly made an impact on his teammates on and off the court.

Especially on Dwyane Wade as get wrote on his Instagram, “Too big for the PGs and too quick and strong for the 2s! When your peers talk 🫡.” Which was a similar response he did last year on his Instagram story. “PEERS” with a heart and a saluting emoji. Lamar Odom said the first sentence last year during a podcast.

“He is too big for the point and too quick and strong for the two. He’s going to fu** them up. And he in the Hall of Fame.” Odom was on ‘Knuckleheads‘ podcast when he revealed the conversation he had with another ex-Heat player. The 44-year-old said that he had a conversation with Caron Butler and praised a young Dwyane Wade, “We got one“.

Odom highlighted the ability of 3x NBA Champion to be a success on both sides of the court. “Y’all remember that dude that we’ve seen get that triple-double?’ He like that.” After all, even ‘The Flash’ wanted to be great like Chicago native Michael Jordan. He managed to average 16.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 61 games. Meanwhile, Lamar Odom averaged 17.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 80 games.

Not only because of that performance, but LO was also a crucial piece in bringing Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. Despite a short stay, Odom impacted Wade which the Heat icon explained back in 2015.

Dwyane Wade got emotional describing Lamar Odom

In 2015, LO suffered from multiple organ failure and was on life support. His previous vices once again took over and put Odom at risk, even his ex-wife Khloe Kardashian withdrew the divorce request at the time. Many of Odom’s teammates and coaches prayed and even urged others to do the same. Dwyane Wade too expressed his pain, but in his own way.

Dwyane Wade shares Lamar Odom’s clip boasting the dominance he had over guards back during his prime days in the league. “You don’t run into too many people like that who is just genuine, good person. He’s just somebody you love to be around. He has had that infectious personality on everyone he has met. The impact he had on all of us individually (in 2003-04), I can’t explain it.” The Marquette alum spoke to ‘USA Today’. “It is one of those moments where it hurts.”

Even during his rookie season, Wade was ready to take a back seat to veterans like Lamar Odom. He once even thought that the franchise would be built around the 44-year-old. But a shock trade a year later, and the arrival of Shaquille O’Neal helped D-Wade achieve his championship in his third season. But he still remembers his rookie year and has high regard for LO.

“Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.”