Lamar Odom's Former Coach Says Khloe Split Left Star 'Depressed' Before Life-Threatening Overdose: 'She's The Only One Who Can Reach Him'
Oct. 19 2015, Updated 7:17 a.m. ET
Lamar Odom's former coach, who has served as a father figure to the athlete after discovering him at just 14-years-old, believes that the only person to bring him out of his troubled ways is ex-wife Khloe Kardashian.
Jim Harrick, 77, sat down with the Daily Mail, sharing that he is "devastated" and "praying for" Odom, who was found unconscious at the Love Ranch brothel in Nevada on Tuesday and rushed to the hospital soon after.
"Lamar is like a son to me," Harrick told the Daily Mail. "I've known him from when he was very young. My heart goes out to him right now. I know they're doing all they can over there."
"I got to know Khloe and she is a wonderful young lady, a blessing for him," he continued. "It may hurt him that they're not together anymore but that is probably his own fault. I know her family took him in and he told me once they completed his circle of life."
As for Odom's chance at a change of heart should he survive the overdose, Harrick believes the NBA star's former wife is the only person capable of saving him.
"Khloe is the one person that can reach him and the one person he will listen to," he said. "Its good she's there in Las Vegas to support him. We're just praying for him."
But the Kardashian empire has had it's negative effects on Odom as well, Harrick explains: "He told me it was the craziness that drove him out of Los Angeles. I'm sure it was the media attention."
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When asked about the binge leading up to Odom's lethal overdose, Harrick said that "none of us know what's happened yet."
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, before Odom headed to Dennis Hof's Love Ranch South in Pahrump, NV, on Oct. 10, the ex-NBA player began his fateful party spree at The Spearmint Rhino — a high-end gentlemen's club in Las Vegas.
Just three days later, the athlete had track marks on his arms — and cocaine and opiates in his system — and was taken to the Sunrise Hospital of Nevada.
"I know he's been depressed," Harrick said. "I don't know anyone who has lost as many people as he has in his life. It's hard not to be depressed when you lose someone close to you."
"If he passed away I'd be devastated," he told Daily Mail. "It would be like losing a child. We should never bury our children. I hope and pray that won't happen."
Do you think Khloe can save Lamar from his own devices? Let us know what you think in the comments below!