After a checkered past as a Los Angeles Clipper, the Miami Heat was taking a gamble when they signed Lamar Odom as a free-agent last season.  

But the gamble paid off as Odom produced for a surprising Heat team.

Now the multi-talented forward is heading back to Los Angeles in the Shaquille O'Neal trade, hoping to keep his career moving forward as a Laker.

Some did not think Odom would ever reach all-star status in the NBA, let alone become an Olympian.

"I saw them on television," Odom said, "and decided I wanted to play in the Olympics and have been dreaming of what it would be like ever since."

Odom was stunned when coach Larry Brown first brought up the possibility of an Olympic spot.

"Man, I just didn't believe him when he said that," Odom said. "I had a pretty good night. I was hitting shots, making passes, grabbing rebounds and playing defense. Just an all-around good game.  Then [Brown] tells me that he's going to do whatever he can to get me on the team. There really was nothing I could say after that."