KoriEllis
09-10-2004, 06:17 AM
Shaq won't deliver Mailman to Miami
www.sun-sentinel.com/spor...-headlines (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-heat10sep10,0,5205991.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines)
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted September 10 2004
The best answer to the Heat's uncertainty at power forward remains the offseason's biggest remaining question mark.
Karl Malone, the free-agent power forward who apparently intends to persist with his assault on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record, continues to make it clear he is in no rush to resolve his free agency.
Recovering from offseason knee surgery, the 41-year-old veteran had been recruited earlier this summer by Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, who lured Malone to the Lakers last summer. However, an O'Neal associate said it was the center's belief that Malone eventually would elect to return to the Lakers. That possibility appears even stronger now that Malone's children have been enrolled in schools in suburban Los Angeles.
Media reports in recent days also have linked Malone to the Timberwolves and the Spurs.
Like the Heat, the Spurs could offer only the NBA minimum of $1.1 million for the coming season. The Lakers could offer slightly more, with the Timberwolves not believed to be a factor.
With less than a month until the Heat's Oct. 5 start of training camp at AmericanAirlines Arena, the team's options for its starting forward are limited to Malik Allen, its starter at the position two years ago, and Udonis Haslem, its rookie starter at the position last season.
Other options should the Heat elect to bolster its rotation at power forward could include Christian Laettner, the 35-year-old, 12-year veteran who was waived Thursday by the Warriors.
www.sun-sentinel.com/spor...-headlines (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-heat10sep10,0,5205991.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines)
By Ira Winderman
Staff Writer
Posted September 10 2004
The best answer to the Heat's uncertainty at power forward remains the offseason's biggest remaining question mark.
Karl Malone, the free-agent power forward who apparently intends to persist with his assault on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record, continues to make it clear he is in no rush to resolve his free agency.
Recovering from offseason knee surgery, the 41-year-old veteran had been recruited earlier this summer by Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, who lured Malone to the Lakers last summer. However, an O'Neal associate said it was the center's belief that Malone eventually would elect to return to the Lakers. That possibility appears even stronger now that Malone's children have been enrolled in schools in suburban Los Angeles.
Media reports in recent days also have linked Malone to the Timberwolves and the Spurs.
Like the Heat, the Spurs could offer only the NBA minimum of $1.1 million for the coming season. The Lakers could offer slightly more, with the Timberwolves not believed to be a factor.
With less than a month until the Heat's Oct. 5 start of training camp at AmericanAirlines Arena, the team's options for its starting forward are limited to Malik Allen, its starter at the position two years ago, and Udonis Haslem, its rookie starter at the position last season.
Other options should the Heat elect to bolster its rotation at power forward could include Christian Laettner, the 35-year-old, 12-year veteran who was waived Thursday by the Warriors.