Anybody having crossed paths with Kobe Bryant has a story about him to tell. Legends speak at length about Bryant’s ace balling skills and rigid mindset. Even young NBA stars have admitted that Kobe was a sensei to many of them.

But Khloe Kardashian’s ex-husband, who had played with Kobe Bryant, has a unique experience about him to share. And it has nothing to do with the Black Mamba’s on-court exploits.

Kobe Bryant’s helping hand gesture

During his recent appearance in The Bootleg Kev podcast, two-time NBA champion and Khloe Kardashian’s ex-husband Lamar Odom talked about his difficult days after retirement.

Odom wasn’t making much money. And his addictive gambling habits were only making matters worse for him.

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He once got into real trouble after gambling heavily. “I’m in a hole. I can’t get myself out of it. I don’t got the money to pay it,” Odom recounted.

The basketball veteran had no one but his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant to call despite him being “extra frugal.”

“Called him [Kobe] after he cursed me out, he said, ‘so you will just have your people call my people,'” Odom added.

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The host asked how much money Kobe had spent to get Odom out of trouble. “If it was north of six figures?” Odom said yes in response.

But since that helping hand gesture, Odom has come a long way.

Lamar Odom renders selfless acts to help the needy

Apart from his gambling addiction, Lamar Odom was into cocaine. The 43-year-old once even had a near-death experience due to an overdose.

Odom soon set things straight and overcame the addiction. He’s now helping the ones battling similar problems.

Odom has opened three recovery homes in San Diego county. “Me opening rehab centers was just, I guess, would be like an act of God,” Odom told cbs8.com.

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From a gambling-cum-cocaine addict to a recovery home Samaritan, Kobe Bryant’s good old friend has indeed come a long way.