Watch: Lamar Odom Reveals Kobe Bryant Tattoo On Neck

As Sharpe noted, to get another man’s face tattooed on you that isn’t a child or parent or any other close family member is the ultimate sign of respect, but that just shows the level of impact Bryant had on Odom. The love and respect went well beyond playing basketball on the Lakers together and Odom will always view Kobe in the highest light.

Odom has gone through an unreal amount of difficulties and circumstances in his life and Bryant was someone who helped guide and motivate him through some dark periods. Plenty of people took the tragic death of Kobe hard, but few had the relationship with Bryant that Odom had and putting his face on his neck permanently shows just how much he loves and idolizes the Lakers icon.

Lakers coach JJ Redick learning not everyone is wired like Kobe Bryant

One of the things that made Kobe Bryant iconic was that he is truly wired differently or, as Lakers coach JJ Redick would say, a basketball “sicko.” Everyone is not wired that way and Redick is figuring that out as he grows as a coach.

Redick spoke about the things he learned in his first season as a head coach with the Lakers and he talked about recognizing that not everyone is wired that certain way that Kobe was and that he has to be able to meet these players at a certain level without sacrificing the standards he has.