Lamar Odom Launches Spirit-Filled Clothing Line

L.A. Laker's Lamar Odom has had a tough year. His infant son died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in June, his aunt passed over the summer and Odom himself was robbed at gunpoint for cash and a watch while he walked around in his old ‘hood in Queens, New York. But Odom is holding his head up high as he launches a new clothing line called “Son of Man”, a collection of tee shirts, polos, and jeans with images of Jesus Christ and other Christian figures.

"For years I've been seeing my young brothers wearing Scarface T-shirts, John Gotti T-shirts, Rick James T-shirts," Odom told ESPN Page 2’s Sam Alipour. "We don't have any icons or idols to look up to, just rappers and professional athletes. Before us, it was pimps and drug dealers. Remember when Jay-Z wore a Che Guevara T-shirt? Nobody knew who Che was. Then Jay-Z wears it, and it's everywhere. That's what I'm trying to do with this. My Man [Jesus Christ] don't get his props and he's the biggest icon in the world."

The idea for the line came to Odom in May after he went home to New York after the Lakers lost their series in the playoffs. He was disappointed in the condition of his neighborhood and the mindset of the people living there.

"Where I'm from, you're a square if you go to church, or if you decide to read the Koran or Bible,” Odom said. You're not cool unless you're standing on the corner selling drugs or smoking weed. If we can get some of their idols wearing this T-shirt, then maybe my brothers will want to talk and walk like Him."

Odom is still busy running his record label, Rich Soil Entertainment, which drops its first project from rapper Ali Vegas next year. He’s also getting into the movie biz by producing "You're Nobody (Until Somebody Kills You)” (named after a Notorious B.I.G. song), a film about two detectives who unravel a murder plot targeting rap artists. The film is executive produced by Spike Lee and written by Lee's longtime assistant director Michael Pinckney.

Looks like Odom is setting up his career after basketball very nicely. Keep doing your thing!

Carmelo Anthony Coverboy Once Again

The season has barely started and Carmelo Anthony is already breaking records. EA Sports has announced that Melo will be the cover boy for its upcoming video game, NBA Street: Homecourt, the fourth in the NBA Street series which features 3-on-3 matches and the latest in streetballin’ moves. This cover will be Melo’s third game cover. He also modeled for NCAA March Madness 2004 and NBA LIVE 2005, which is the first time one athlete has appeared on the cover for three different EA Sports basketball games.

“I credit a lot of who I am today as a player to my days playing on the streets in Baltimore,” Melo said. “My homecourt in Baltimore will always be a part of who I am, because that’s where I gained the skill and desire that has made me successful in basketball. NBA Street Homecourt represents real street basketball and the place where it all started for me.”

NBA Street Homecourt will focus on the home courts of the NBA’s hottest stars. The game is set to drop in 2007 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Now only if Melo can get the Nuggets out of the first round!

Cobi Jones Helping Iraqis Play Soccer

Even though his L.A. Galaxy was a bit of a disappointment this season, soccer star Cobi Jones is looking toward the positive. Jones has teamed up with Little Feet, Little Goals and The Sports Authority for a national awareness campaign to bring 50,000 soccer balls to children in Iraq.

“To provide soccer balls to a child who wants nothing more than to share a smile with their family or friends is a priceless gift,” Jones said. “Soccer provides such an instant enjoyment and communication between one another, and I’m happy to share my love for the sport while also lifting the spirits of Iraqi children.”

At a press conference in Denver on Monday, Jones announced that Sports Authority stores nationwide will feature store displays welcoming consumers to donate a soccer ball for $10.00. Every soccer ball donated will be distributed overseas.

Chris Paul joins Team Jordan

After Chris Paul's amazing rookie season as a point guard for the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, it’s no surprise that he’d scoop some endorsement deals. NIKE subsidiary, Jordan, announced that they have added Paul to their Team Jordan squad along with Joe Johnson (Hawks) and Josh Howard (Mavericks).

"Chris Paul proved in his first season that he has the special qualities that our brand looks for in a Team Jordan athlete," said Larry Miller, president of Jordan. "His will to win, his ability to make those around him better, and his maximum effort night in and night out are characteristics that embody the essence of the Jordan brand. With Chris and our other signings, we're extremely excited about the young talent on our basketball roster."

Paul, Johnson and Howard will appear in all promotional ads for Jordan sporting the latest shirts, shorts and shoes from the company. Unfortunately, they aren’t getting any signature shoes, but at least they get free gear and get paid to wear it!