[轉錄]Lakers' Malone talking to Spurs
※ [本文轉錄自 Lakers 看板]
作者: chpan (chimp) 站內: Lakers
標題: Lakers' Malone talking to Spurs
時間: Tue Jul 13 16:58:36 2004
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA071304.
1D.malone.1d3907b.html
Lakers' Malone talking to Spurs
Web Posted: 07/13/2004 12:00 AM CDT
Mike Monroe
San Antonio Express-News
Karl Malone sounds like a man itching to become a Spur.
Declaring that the biggest obstacle to signing on with the Spurs isn't the
money they have — or don't have — to offer him, but his own desire to be "
100-Karl Malone percent" after surgery to repair a torn right knee ligament,
Malone said that since he became a free agent on July 1 he has had
productive talks about joining the Spurs.
"Without a doubt I'm serious (about the Spurs)," Malone said by phone Monday
evening. "I'm past the game-playing. It's not like going to college and you
want to talk to every team interested. That's not my intention. If I want to
continue to play I'd definitely like to be closer to back home."
Malone has a ranch in El Dorado, Ark., and grew up in Louisiana.
"I've had serious dialogue with them, and more than once," Malone said. "I'
ve talked to coach (Gregg) Popovich two or three times and (general manager)
R.C. (Buford) one or two times. They call about every other day. I've had
great dialogue with them."
Stressing that he won't make a decision about continuing his career until he
is satisfied, in his own mind, that he can be entirely effective, Malone has
begun rehabilitating his damaged knee. He first injured his knee early in
the regular season, then re-injured it during Game 2 of the Los Angeles
Lakers' NBA Finals series against the Detroit Pistons.
His doctors already have authorized him to ride an exercise bike, and Malone
said it would not take him long to get back into the kind of legendary playing
condition that has characterized a 19-year career during which he became the
No. 2 scorer in NBA history.
However, until he is certain in his own mind that he can be in top form, he
won't commit to returning to the game for any team.
"You know it don't take me long, really," Malone said of his efforts to get
himself ready for the pounding of another long NBA season. "Right now I just
need to be smart about my rehab and not try to do anything like Superman. Just
take time and heal up, But if it's not my 100 percent, then I walk away.
That's how I am. I won't cheat myself or my family or my fans.
"If it happens to be I'm in San Antonio, I won't cheat those great fans. I'
ll give it everything I got. Everything has to fall in line for it to work."
After 18 seasons in Utah, Malone last season signed on as a free agent with
the Lakers, taking the $1.5 million exception for a chance to play alongside
center Shaquille O'Neal and guard Kobe Bryant.
This summer, he watched as the franchise he had hoped would bring him his
first NBA title dismantled the unit he volunteered to be part of, dismissing
coach Phil Jackson and agreeing to trade O'Neal to the Miami Heat.
"I've just watched everything pan out with Shaq," Malone said. "I don't know
what the right word is. Not disappointed, but kind of interesting.
"You need to know this: I came here (Los Angeles) to play with Shaquille and
Kobe. I really did, and I don't think that's a secret. For them to basically
say one of them is not going to be here, or possibly neither one, that's why I
have the luxury to go either way. I could say, 'Thanks, I don't care to play
anyway.'
"But you're around people you talk to, and I have talked to coach Pop a couple
times, and it's been refreshing to hear his sincerity. It really has."
The Spurs tried to lure Malone when he became a free agent last summer. When
the Spurs told Malone they first needed to see if they could entice New Jersey
point guard Jason Kidd before making him a firm offer, he thanked them for
their candor and turned his attention to the Lakers.
Malone has followed the moves the Spurs have made thus far this summer,
reaching agreement with Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen about resigning and
agreeing with Seattle guard Brent Barry about joining the team.
The Spurs won't know whether they will be able to offer Malone or another
big man much more than $1.5 million until the league announces the salary
cap tonight. They also have not ruled out trying to sign Argentine forward
Luis Scola or re-signing Robert Horry, who also may get an offer to join O'
Neal in Miami.
"I like the moves they've made," Malone said. "But I also think if it is one
of those things that if it does work out, I don't want to be sort of a hired
gun. I want to be able to contribute and really be a part of it. If I am going
to play I want a legitimate opportunity.
"We've had some really good dialogues. The way they were straightforward
with me last year, coach Pop, it just wasn't one of those situations that
worked out. But I've loved hearing what they've had to say (this summer)."
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"I'm trying my hardest, but I can't have everything.
I can't have the looks, the rapping ability, the scoring,
and the free throws."
-- Shaquille O'Neal
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