Magic Johnson has spoken at length to Us Weekly about his sadness over Lamar Odom's hospitalization — and his hopes that his friend with "the biggest heart in the world" can pull through his current struggles.
Talking to Us at the Habitat of Humanity of Greater Los Angeles Builders Ball on Wednesday, Oct. 14, the NBA champ, who was joined by his wife, Cookie, was emotional as talk turned to Odom.
"I'm devastated, because Lamar is a friend of mine. We had been compared when he was in college," Johnson said of his pal. "He reached out once he got in to the pros because our game was similar," the 56-year-old told Us. "We became really good friends. To see his growth as a basketball player and as a man, [and then] to see this happening, it hurts us all."
"We just hope that he pulls through, and that he'll be okay," the sportsman added. "Then we've got to support him. He's had so much bad happen in his life. Hopefully, this time there can be some good happening in his life, and he can pull through this thing."
Johnson spoke about the outpouring of love that's currently occurring as Odom fights for his life in Las Vegas' Sunrise Hospital, explaining that the NBA champ was one of the most popular players on the circuit.
"I think locker-room-wise, he was the most popular Laker when he was on those teams. I'm talking about within the players. Kobe [Bryant] loved him, Derek Fisher, you could ask anybody. He was the most loved Laker among Laker players. So that's why the outpouring is so big. Because he had the biggest heart," he told Us.
And the retired player urged everyone in Los Angeles, and elsewhere to come together in prayer for his friend.
"[Los Angeles] has always embraced their stars who played for a great organization like the Lakers. We're praying for him to pull through. I know this is a crucial time. We've all just got to send up our prayers and hope that everything works out," he said.
Johnson hasn't had the opportunity to be with his buddy yet, but he has no doubt what he will do when he gets the chance to catch up with the man nicknamed Candyman.
"I would bring him a bag of Skittles," he said, smiling at the thought. "Because that was his thing. Candy was this thing. He loved candy. I just want to see the smile. Because [then] I know he's okay,” he said. “I just hope that everything works out. I was in New York when this all happened, of course watching my Dodgers. Then flying back. So it's been a tough situation for me trying to support my team as well as trying to find out if he's okay," he added.
