Lamar Odom seemed to be in good spirits while he dined at a Los Angeles restaurant with a friend for lunch. The NBA player was spotted with a male friend wearing a broad smile and his wedding ring. Despite rumors that the athlete was battling an alleged drug problem and dealing with marital troubles Odom seemed like he was in an upbeat mood.  

The 33-year-old former Lakers player briefly talked to a TMZ photographer about life, his future in basketball and his marriage to Khloe Kardashian. He also stressed the fact that he was eating a healthy meal - salad, water and a turkey sandwich.

Odom hinted to TMZ that he was on the right track to getting his basketball career together but wasn't sure if he would be returning to the Lakers or the Clippers.

"We'll take things day by day," he said, "That's all you can do. I'm alive."

He also said that there were bigger things in life than just sports. Odom was reportedly supposed to be flying to New York City to meet with NBA executives but he ended up canceling his flight. Sources told TMZ that he was getting ready to sign a deal with an East Coast team and had proof that he was sober and had finally kicked his alleged drug problem.

"Good luck in life bro," he said. "It's not just about basketball. For some people basketball is life but to some people family is life, finances... whatever it may be. It's all about treating people good, being a nice guy and I've always been that."

He also briefly mentioned his reality star wife hinting that the two are talking after the photographer asked him when he had last spoken to her. The athlete hasn't been hiding away from the cameras lately. He was recently spotted at a child's birthday party.

Reportedly the little boy asked Odom for a picture and after a slight hesitation he decided to sit the kid down and give him some advice... don't do drugs. He also told the boy how important education was, encouraged him to play basketball and then took the picture.  

Check out the video here.