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spurster
10-01-2004, 05:24 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1893135

Friday, October 1, 2004

Forward hasn't announced retirement yet

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Karl Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history, has informed the Los Angeles Lakers he won't play this season.

But Malone isn't ready to announce his retirement just yet. Team spokesman John Black said Friday that Malone met with Lakers owner Jerry Buss to inform him of his decision.

Malone underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late June. Black said last week it was his understanding that Malone was at least a couple months away from being ready to play.

Black said Buss offered Malone another role in the organization.

After playing 18 seasons for the Utah Jazz, Malone joined the Lakers in July 2003 in search of his first championship. The Lakers reached the NBA Finals this season before losing to the Detroit Pistons.
Duff McCartney
10-01-2004, 05:25 PM
Well that covers that.
2pac
10-01-2004, 05:30 PM
Until he files the retirement papers, I am not convinced. However, I am convinced that he will not play for the Lakers this season.
Shelly
10-01-2004, 05:31 PM
ESPN news just reported that too.

Baseline can take down his picture now...:lol
picnroll
10-01-2004, 05:35 PM
Rumor has Eddie Griffen going to the T Wolves too.
Geno Billy
10-01-2004, 05:57 PM
Next best thing to him being on the Spurs is......

not having that brotha' on an opposing team.
timvp
10-01-2004, 06:00 PM
This article is wrong. There is an updated story on the wire.
Kori Ellis
10-01-2004, 06:01 PM
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- Karl Malone told the Los Angeles Lakers he's not ready to play, but he didn't rule out returning sometime this season or beyond.

"Karl's not playing, but he's also not retiring," Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, said Friday. "He's leaving his options open. Nothing's carved in stone.

"He will be 100 percent physically in the next couple months and his skills are obviously still great. He still could play this year. Anything's possible -- the door is still open."

The 41-year-old Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late June. Malone opted out of his $1.65 million contract with the Lakers at season's end, making him a free agent. Several teams, including San Antonio, Minnesota and Miami, expressed interest.

Malone and Manley had lunch with Lakers owner Jerry Buss on Thursday to let him know Malone wouldn't be at training camp, but that he wouldn't sign with another team, either. Buss offered Malone an unspecified job with the Lakers, Manley said.

The Lakers open camp Tuesday at the University of San Diego. Their first preseason game is Oct. 12 against Seattle in Anaheim, and they open the regular season Nov. 2 at home against Denver.

Manley said if Malone does return to play in the NBA, it will only be with the Lakers. "He doesn't want to move his family," the agent said.

After playing 18 seasons for the Utah Jazz, Malone joined the Lakers before last season in search of his first championship. He took a pay cut of about $18 million to sign for $1.5 million.

Lakers spokesman John Black said last week it was his understanding that Malone was at least a couple of months away from being ready to play.

Regarding Buss' offer of another position within the organization, Black said: "I think he was flattered and is inclined to accept, but nothing has been decided."

Malone played in 1,434 of a possible 1,444 regular-season games with the Jazz, but missed 40 games with the Lakers -- 39 after tearing a knee ligament Dec. 21 against Phoenix.

He returned in March, and played a key role as the Lakers reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Detroit Pistons in five games.

Malone reinjured his knee in Game 2 of the finals, was limited in Games 3 and 4 and didn't play in Game 5. The Lakers lost the last three games.

Malone played in 193 straight playoff games with the Jazz and Lakers before having to sit out the last game of the finals.

Considered one of the best power forwards in NBA history, Malone averaged a career-low 13.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in 42 games last season, leaving him with career averages of 25.0 points and 10.1 rebounds.

His 36,928 points in 1,476 games trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who finished his career with 38,387 points in 1,560 games.

Malone grew close with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant during his only season with the Lakers.

O'Neal was traded in July to the Miami Heat for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and Caron Butler. Bryant opted out of his contract to become a free agent before signing a seven-year, $136.4 million contract with the Lakers.
Kori Ellis
10-01-2004, 06:02 PM
The first story has been pulled from all the wires and exchanged for the one I just posted.
timvp
10-01-2004, 06:08 PM
I would celebrate but this is probably just Malone trying to keep his name on SportsCenter.
ducks
10-01-2004, 06:10 PM
why would he have to move his family if it was just one year deal
or for half of a season?
timvp
10-01-2004, 06:52 PM
why would he have to move his family if it was just one year deal
or for half of a season?

Exactly.

This is just a play for him to get his name back on the news. I'll believe when he signs a contract somewhere.
ducks
10-01-2004, 07:07 PM
wonder is spurs started off strong how quickly mailman would change his mind
1Parker1
10-01-2004, 07:51 PM
What a jerk. If his decision is that he isn't planning on returning for a while, why did he have to go and create such a big hoopla? He went to the media a couple weeks ago and said that he made his decision, but just wasn't ready to say it yet. What was the big deal?
Such a drama queen !!! Malone, Shaq, Kobe, Payton = 4 Drama Queens
xcoriate
10-01-2004, 08:00 PM
Just when you though he couldn't create any more hype...
Kori Ellis
10-01-2004, 08:29 PM
I don't think he'll play this season. He may try to come back midseason, but I think he'll end up retiring. Just a hunch.
ChumpDumper
10-01-2004, 08:36 PM
Could've used him, but don't necessarily need him.

Now Malik can be Malik again, or Kurt Thomas can be Kurt Thomas in his stead.
timvp
10-01-2004, 08:45 PM
Could've used him, but don't necessarily need him.

Now Malik can be Malik again, or Kurt Thomas can be Kurt Thomas in his stead.

Don't you think the Spurs crossed Kurt Thomas off their list once he got the extension?
ChumpDumper
10-01-2004, 08:54 PM
Don't you think the Spurs crossed Kurt Thomas off their list once he got the extension?Probably. Since their contracts expire at the same time I personally would rather pay a guy who Pop would actually play. Just my prejudice.

What else could there be at this point?

Yogi and Kendrick Perkins?

Hope Malik plays well.