Lamar Odom -- Don't Blame Issues On 'Kardashians' ... Ex-Teammate Says (VIDEO)

Lamar Odom's former Lakers teammate is DEFENDING the decision to feature him on "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" again ... telling TMZ Sports the show is NOT the root of his problems.

We spoke with Devean George -- who recently reconnected with Lamar at Kobe's last game -- who says people who are critical about Lamar being back on the show don't really understand Lamar.