The Lakers are paying for his surgery
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8663875/
Turiaf reportedly to have open-heart surgery
Lakers’ second-round pick’s career threatened by diagnosis
NBCSports.com news services
Updated: 11:45 p.m. ET July 21, 2005
Ronny Turiaf's NBA career may be over before it ever started.
Turiaf, the Los Angeles Lakers' second-round pick at No. 37 overall and the West Coast Conference player of the year as a senior, has an enlarged heart and will need open-heart surgery, ESPN reported.
Turiaf's condition was confirmed by his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, who said the problem was diagnosed during extensive medical testing in Los Angeles. Lakers spokesman John Black reportedly said Turiaf will have the surgery in 4-6 weeks. A press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT on Friday in Los Angeles.
The Lakers signed Turiaf to a two-year guaranteed contract on July 14. He played in a summer pro league, but was held out the final four games.
Ndiaye reportedly said Turiaf would remain in Los Angeles to meet with more doctors Friday before determining when and where to have surgery.
"His aorta is too large for his heart," Ndiaye said. "This is open-heart surgery. He could come back if everything goes OK and he works hard."
Ndiaye said the contract would be voided but Lakers owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak would "take care of the medical costs and told us they would keep his rights."
"They are showing us the good human part," Ndiaye said. "Ronny is down. He's a winner and he's determined to get back one day."
Black said the contract Turiaf signed was conditional on passing the physical and once he didn't the contract becomes void. But Black said the league lawyers might not agree with that interpretation. Black said the Lakers want to pay the medical costs, but once again this is up to the league's interpretation of his contract.
Damn. That just sucks. Poor kid...you've just got to root for him. Here's hoping he makes it back.
On a much cheerier note: does this mean the Lakers are cursed? How long did it take Boston to recover from trading the Bambino? You just don't trade Shaquille O'Neal, folks. The gods of basketball shall smite thee with great vengeance! (see: Magic, Orlando)
Cursed....I don't think so...
It is indeed a sad day for all b-ball fans. Let's just hope it's a speedy recovery.
You're an optimist, I like that.
...but the first time Kobe tweaks an ankle you'll remember The Curse of Aristotle.
And if that curse is real, just imagine. It took the Red Sox nearly a century to shake the curse of a somewhat fat guy. How long would the curse of someone as massive as Shaq last?
Looks like the Lakers doctors may have saved his life by uncovering the severity of this."I was made aware of an abnormality with my heart during my physical exam in Chicago at the pre-draft camp, as well as in an exam in France," Turiaf said. "However, both doctors in Chicago and France cleared me medically to play and I looked forward to the draft and a career as an NBA player. With this latest information coming to light, I am naturally disappointed that my dream of playing in the NBA will not come true, at least for the time being. I am also anxious and a bit scared about having to undergo this surgery.
"In looking at the big picture, however, I feel lucky and grateful that this condition was discovered by the Lakers' doctors when it was, as this is a potentially fatal condition," Turiaf added.
"Finally, I am optimistic and hopeful that things will go well and I will be able to lead a healthy, normal life, and eventually that I will again be able to pursue my dream of playing in the NBA."
I hope he gets well soon.
He's a good kid. I hope he is able to someday play in the league.
That really sucks for him...I would hate, really really hate being signed onto an NBA team, and then have something like this come up. I feel bad for him. That sucks.
They're not nixing his contract, ya doof. The contract was conditional on the results of his tests. They are retaining his rights. He may play in the future. If he can't, Buss said he will award him a job within the org.
Yeah, the team with the most championships in the 4 major American sports since 1980 is downright cursed.
I guess the rich can do anything. I would think that once you void his contract, his rights are gone, too.Ndiaye said the contract would be voided but Lakers owner Jerry Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak would "take care of the medical costs and told us they would keep his rights."
They could waive the condition. Are they going to?
Actually, that's the way Kupchak got his start in the Lakers' front office.
And look how well THAT worked out.Actually, that's the way Kupchak got his start in the Lakers' front office.
My point, exactly.And look how well THAT worked out.
History repeats itself.
That sucks. He was a good player at Gonzaga.
They'll do what the Spurs would do -- not waive it.
Actually, Kupchak played on the 1985 le team.Actually, that's the way Kupchak got his start in the Lakers' front office.
I am glad for Turiaf that this was discovered now.
I am also very happy that he won't be a Faker now.
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