Ice Cube is opening up about why Lamar Odom was cut from his BIG3 basketball league -- explaining, "We want players that are actually playing."
As we previously reported, 39-year-old Odom was axed by the league on Wednesday -- essentially ending his dream of returning to pro ball.
Odom was a member of the "Enemies" -- playing alongside Gilbert Arenas and Royce White.
But, Odom only posted 2 points and 4 rebounds in 3 games and our sources told us the guy simply wasn't ready to play.