I'm not saying that they shouldn't bring him in.
But I think it's funny that a lot of people refer to his past glory and think that's what he's going to contribute now.
If he averaged 12 and 8 last season for the Lakers playing 32 mpg but missed half the season, then I'm not sure how much he'd contribute to the Spurs this year.
He probably wouldn't see more than 20 mpg even if healthy. So what would he give the team 6 and 4? Doesn't just about anybody else the Spurs have (Malik, Horry, Massenburg, Marks) give 6 and 4 if they played 20 minutes?
I think that's why some people don't see the possible Malone acquistion as that big of deal one way or another. Getting the "greatest power forward of all-time" probably doesn't mean much when he's past his prime or not healthy.
If he is healthy he can contribute reasonably well in 20-25mpg.
13/9/4 in 33mpg were his stats as of last season. Unless his physical state declines rapidly this year, he could probably give 7ppg 5rpg 2apg in 20mpg.
Those would be pretty decent numbers considering he brings rebounding, passing, solid D, and an efficient offensive presense.
But thats assuming hes close to as healthy as last season (pre-injury).
Thanks for clarifying the numbers, I didn't look anything up.
But that's kind of my point, the IF he's healthy is a huge IF.
I still don't think he'd get 25 mpg on the Spurs even if he were healthy. I know some people think he would start and play 35 mpg and Tim would play center. I don't think the Spurs are planning on trading Rasho and Horry/Malik. But anything is possible.
Personally, I believe in his basketball character. I can't say that he won't get hurt, and neither can he. But when the man says he'll be physically ready for the season, how can you not believe him? He's proven for 20 years that when he steps on the court, he's physically ready. No one prepares during the offseason like Malone. No one. He didn't get hurt because he wasn't physically ready or because he was lazy in the offseason or had nagging injuries. He got landed on, and that would have injured anyone. He has no history of injuries, because of his offseason physical and mental preparation. Compare the number of games he missed last season to the number of games he missed over the remainder of his career. He doesn't get injured easily because he prepares his body for the NBA season. When the man says he won't come back unless he's "100 Karl Malone percent", what in his history gives you any reason to doubt that he will do it? How many times has he come into the season unprepared, out of shape, or otherwise not ready in any way? The man's character is unquestionable. What could possibly give you the impression that the man would lie about his ability to play or his physical preparation? For 20 years he's been the league's hardest worker in the offseason, he's been the league's most reliable Iron Man. If there's anyone in the league who's health you could rely on, it was Karl Malone. Yes, he's had his first injury in 20 years, but for 20 years he's said he'd be ready when he stepped on the court and for 20 years he's been ready. Our character is judged by our history of keeping our word, of keeping our commitments. What has Karl Malone ever done to make you doubt his character? If anyone's earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to physical preparation, it's Karl Malone. "100 Karl Malone percent" is good enough for me. "100 Karl Malone percent" is a state of physical conditioning light years beyond 90% of the rest of the league's standard of preparation. Most players are in "basketball shape" 20 or 30 games into the season. Karl Malone is in basketball shape for the first game of the pre-season, and has been for and entire career, without taking a single off-season off. That's the kind of work ethic you can rely on. That's true basketball character, and if there's anything the Spurs organization represents, it's character. He's a perfect fit. And, just in case his first injury in 20 years becomes a nagging injury, what better place for him to be utilized most effectively than in a situation where we don't really need him for more than a handful of minutes a game. If he was on a team that needed him for 25 minutes a game for 82 games, I'd be worried about his ability to produce in the playoffs. Playing on a team like the Spurs would further reduce his risk of injury because we wouldn't need him for extended minutes, resulting in less wear-and-tear on a body that was built and maintained to withstand (and distribute) punishment. How can you not want those elbows on your side? At least that way they're not aimed at Tim.
I'll also say that if he only provides 6 & 4, the intangibles he provides on the court and in the locker room will affect the team far more than the 6 & 4 Malik provides.
Just a note.he could probably give 7ppg 5rpg 2apg in 20mpg.
Horry contributed 6.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg in 21mpg last season during the playoffs. He had 4.8 and 3.4 in 16mpg in the regular season.
tekdragon,
I believe the opposite of you regarding the injury.
I think that his age has finally caught up with him and he'll be injury plagued from here on out.
It was originally speculated that he should be ready by October. Some are saying maybe it's December or January.
I understand what a healthy specimen he has been throughout his career. But there is definitely a time when a player starts breaking down. Has that time arrived for Karl Malone? We don't know as of yet.
But for the record, I don't care one way or another if he comes here or not. I don't think he can be a detriment to the team, and I don't think he'll be a huge asset.
But one thing that does bug me is that Malone says that he knows where he is going to play next season, but says he's not ready to disclose it yet. That statement is pure drama queen. And I hate that crap from basketball players.
I love this place...
If I thought any of Horry/Massenburg/Rose/Marks even had the potential of putting up 30 and 13 against the Rockets in a playoff game, for example, I wouldn't give Malone a second thought.
Getting Malone would be gravy to a pretty solid offseason.
Kori,
I understand the injury worry, but I really feel the Lakers took the hit on Malone last year. His leg may have blown out do to age, although I think it was more accidental than anything. I don't think Malone would come back if he didn't feel he could play as well as last year. You must also take into consideration that a lot of the games he played last season were in recovery and may or may not give adequate indication on how he will perform if 100% (his stated level). It's not like we're trading for Grant Hill or something!
Useruser666 :eyebrow
Didn't Malone just enroll his kids in an LA school a couple days ago?
That should give you your answer on where he's going.
dude his kidds could stay in la and he could go to texas
it is like just one year
dude his kidds could stay in la and he could go to texas
That might make sense if he didn't already have a summer home in San Antonio.
Makes sense if that's where he wants to live.
Should they just stay at home til training camp?
If his kids prefered LA they would have been enrolled 2 months ago, and not waited untill after he made up his mind on where he was playing.
Says who? Maybe they were just out of town.
Show me the exact date Malone made up his mind.
About three days ago when he said "I've made up my mind"
Also about the time his kids were enrolled.
maybe his kids wanted him to go to the heat
and play on their beaches but now with the hurricanes they do not want to go there
and his kidds do not like the beaches of texas over the beaches of la
and mailman will not even be in texas half the time next year so they will stay in la
Yes I'm sure beach playing played a huge factor in the decision. I thought that went without saying.
I'm not asking when YOU knew.About three days ago when he said "I've made up my mind"
Also about the time his kids were enrolled.
That's when he made it public that his decision was made.
If you would like it narrowed down to the second you'll have to e-mail Karl.
Exactly.
You have no idea.
Gotta love message boards
You post a prediction and people feel the need to try and prove it wrong. It's a prediction, it can't be wrong until he signs a contract.
I say he'll be in LA, we'll find out soon enough.
Might, might not.
Nice backtrack.
It wouldn't be a terribly different situation for Malone's kids. His wife is from San Antonio so I would imagine they still have some family in the area. I didn't know about the summer house here but her ties to San Antonio are probably a big part of that. Family and a home in San Antonio helps ease any transition that would normally be very disruptive.
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