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Get well, Cory.
Rose is a thorn to Lakers
Web Posted: 02/05/2005 12:00 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/b....77dfcacb.html
By the time Malik Rose walked out of the shower late Thursday, his teammates already had headed for the bus.
If the Spurs forward seemed a step slow, it was for good reason. He had played 30 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers, which were about 30 more than he figured he would play.
Thinking he might spend his third consecutive game on the bench, Rose ran sprints for half an hour before the game.
"If it means I'll keep playing," Rose said, laughing, "I'll run that much before every game."
Rose has plenty of reason to smile this weekend, and not all of it has to do with his unexpected 19-point, 11-rebound performance in the Spurs' 103-91 victory.
Rose's brother, Cory, is back home after spending much of the previous week in the hospital with a head injury he sustained playing basketball. Though Rose gave away the Super Bowl tickets he and Cory had hoped to use, he still can't wait to watch his beloved Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's championship game.
A seat on the couch isn't that bad compared to the one he'd had at the end of the Spurs' bench. Prior to Thursday, Rose hadn't played in a week. He lost his spot in the rotation, as tenuous as it was, during the Spurs' victory over Sacramento on Jan. 27.
After airmailing a pass over Beno Udrih's head and into the stands, Rose pulled his jersey over his face in frustration. The player he was supposed to be guarding, Kings forward Darius Songaila, responded by racing the length of the floor for a layup.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich immediately summoned Robert Horry to replace Rose. Aside from a few mop-up minutes at the end of that game, Rose didn't play again until Thursday.
"I needed to throw a bounce pass and I threw it 12 feet high," Rose said. "And as soon as I said, 'Oh, my God,' Songaila was downcourt and I was done."
Popovich wasn't concerned about the pass, only what Rose did after it: Instead of focusing on what the team needed next, he worried about his own mistake.
Rose appeared distracted even before the error. His brother had been taken to the hospital with a brain bruise after landing hard on his head during a pickup game. Cory was released after five days and is doing much better, Rose said, without any impairment to his motor skills.
"That's still not any excuse," Rose said, "for me to play as poorly as I was playing."
Rose had played well enough early in the season to reclaim his role as the team's first big man off the bench. As Horry's play improved, Rose's minutes shrank.
Rose's effectiveness was furthered reduced when he sustained a hip pointer against Utah on Jan. 10. The following day in practice, Rasho Nesterovic kneed Rose in his left leg, producing a knot on his hamstring.
Through it all, Rose has battled to maintain his confidence.
"When you're not playing for a while and you get in there, I don't care what anybody says, especially when we're winning, the first thing you think is, 'Don't mess up,'" Rose said. "You can't play that way."
Horry, though bothered by a sore right knee, has done little to show his minutes merit reducing. He is less turnover-prone than Rose, can stretch defenses with his 3-point shooting and has proven to be a better-than-advertised shot blocker.
Rose, as evidenced by Thursday's performance, still has the ability to change a game with his energy. His mid-range shooting has improved enough to make him one of the team's best pick-and-pop players.
"And he's still been great for his teammates while Robert has been playing ahead of him," Popovich said.
Rose's recent benching suggests otherwise, but Popovich has been less critical of his longtime forward than the previous two seasons. Rose, Popovich said, has overstepped his role less frequently.
"The difference this season," Rose said, "is I haven't had a falling out with Pop."
The two still have their disagreements, though not as heated as last season. On more than one occasion, Popovich barked at Rose, only to have Rose bark back.
"Some of it is just growing up," Rose said. "I used to be almost suicidal when I didn't play. I was angry at the world, not speaking to people. Now, it still bothers me — and I'm thankful I still have that same compe iveness — but it doesn't get me down as much."
Popovich, at times, has appeared to hold Rose to tougher standards than other players. And there was a point last season when others in the organization thought he was being too harsh on him.
Some of the strain in their relationship is understandable, given that only Tim Duncan has played for Popovich as long as Rose. Both also are self-made men whose stubbornness can get the best of them.
But Popovich said he still values the effect Rose can have on the locker room. And Rose still appreciates Popovich's wit.
"I don't agree with all of the things he does," Rose said, "but I still enjoy being around him."
How much longer Rose continues to be around remains to be seen. Had New York officials not backed out of a deal minutes before it was to be finalized last season, Rose likely would be wearing a Knicks uniform.
Popovich told Rose during last season's exit interview the team probably would continue to explore trade opportunities involving him. The Spurs' stance hasn't changed. With Tony Parker's salary set to increase by almost $7 million next season and Duncan, Nesterovic, Manu Ginobili, Brent Barry and Bruce Bowen also holding long-term contracts, the franchise eventually will need to trim payroll.
While Rose is attractive to several teams, his contract is not. After this season, he still will have four years and $27.2 million remaining on the deal. Because of a clause in the contract, any team that trades for Rose also would have to pay him a bonus of close to $3 million within 30 days of the deal.
The Spurs could agree to offset some of the trade kicker, though there are other hang-ups to doing a deal. Unless they acquire another big man in return — or Karl Malone suddenly changes his mind and decides to sign with them — they risk depleting their depth.
Even Rose sometimes has wondered if it would have been better for him to sign with another team two seasons ago.
"But then maybe I would have missed out on another championship," Rose said. "God makes things happen for a reason. I firmly put my faith on that."
For now, Rose will continue to wait for opportunities like Thursday. With Nesterovic's stay on the injured list possibly ending Tuesday and neither Duncan's hyperextended left knee nor Horry's sore right knee appearing serious, Rose might not get any minutes next game.
In the meantime, he'll continue to work out and root for Philadelphia on Sunday. Cory snapped at him Thursday, which Rose took as a good sign.
"We'll have plenty of other times to go to the Super Bowl," Rose said. "The Eagles will get there next year and we'll go to that one."
Get well, Cory.
Thanks for posting such a great article, Kori...
Last edited by Spurgal; 02-05-2005 at 01:28 AM.
This is why you play Malik Rose. Most players in the NBA with a long-term contract don't really GAF if they play or not. They're just happy to get that paycheck twice a month and if they play or win games, that's a nice bonus.
With Malik, winning and playing well is what drives him. He is one of the few players on the Spurs who isn't afraid to truly compete or doesn't back down. The Spurs need that toughness on the inside and that fire.
They need Malik Rose.
Good insight into Malik's life of late.
Malik Rose is overpaid. That's about it.
Its not his fault, Pop and RC are to blame just as much as anyone else. You either accept the mistake or get rid of it. Sooner or later, Malik will be gone.
This is what it has been about from day one. That contract has been the primary source of the problems surrounding Rose. He's felt the need to justify that contract, a feeling likely motivated by criticism from within and without the Spurs organization. A player who feels that he must go out and justify his contract and win is the type of player I would think that fans would like to see on the team(s) they support. Rose has proven himself to be a valuable piece of this franchise for a long time, a player who will show up in the postseason.Popovich told Rose during last season's exit interview the team probably would continue to explore trade opportunities involving him. The Spurs' stance hasn't changed. With Tony Parker's salary set to increase by almost $7 million next season and Duncan, Nesterovic, Manu Ginobili, Brent Barry and Bruce Bowen also holding long-term contracts, the franchise eventually will need to trim payroll.
Absent the Spurs' desire to cut payroll, Rose's contract really is not that big of a deal for a NBA team, especially for a 30 year old proven big. But I will say that I bet Peter Holt and friends are glad that so many Spurs fans are perfectly willing to see them force personnel decisions that are more financially than basketball related.
Who really cares, eh? Malik did what a whole lot of us wanted him to do. Some Spurs fans have never given up on Rose.
The first time I met him was in the HEB at Wurzbach and I-10. He had just been named to the team. I found him in the paper-products aisle, taking up much of it while looking around for paper towels. I was determined to continue to push my cart up that aisle, although Malik was moving to and fro with a smile on his face, as if he was inviting someone to say something to him. My first instinct was to turn my cart and go around to the next aisle and approach from a different angle. Then I just thought to myself, "He wants to be noticed."
I continued pushing my cart toward him and he looked over his shoulder with that smug, self-satisfied smile that I have come to identify with Malik.
"Welcome to San Antonio," I said, looking him right in the eye. His smile grew even broader and he looked down at me from his one-foot height advantage (at 5'8" - 5'10" with heels, I rarely feel "short") and said, "Yeah, yeah!"
I suspect that he no more remembers that encounter than I would have if he had proved to be a flash in the pan. But Malik is not a flash in the pan. I'm really tired of this game between Pop and #31. We're hearing that Malik has been back on the block and the Toronto Raptors turned him down because he "lacked atheliticsm."
Is that the real reason Pop turned him loose in the Lakers' game? To show prospective teams that Rose really has it:
I am sick and tired on this merry-go-round. What's it all about, elf ears?
This Is for all those people that have mis-judged me and talked about me and even named me a Stalker.
I tried to let a lot of you people know that It wasn't fair to be talking about Malik. But, a lot of you people still Insisted In doing so."But then maybe I would have missed out on another championship," Rose said. "God makes things happen for a reason. I firmly put my faith on that."
I am happy to say that God has given me the privilege to know Malik and his Family... And they are one sweet and blessed family. The night Malik made the mistake of putting his Jersey over his head, It wasn't only because he knew he had done wrong but because In his Heart and Mind he knew his Brother Cory was not watching him like always...
I just want you guys to understand that It's not fair to always be dogging on Malik or any other player for their performance out on the court. We don't know exactly why they sometimes don't play well. We should all just be happy and comfortable with the fact that we are doing good this Season. As for the people that are talking about me on this forum and have named me Stalker...I'm sorry to say, but In reality Malik and I very good friends and I will continue to deffend him & his family until the day I die.
Is your last name Forbes?I bet Peter Holt and friends are glad that so many Spurs fans are perfectly willing to see them force personnel decisions that are more financially than basketball related.
I don't give a crap about how many millions they make or lose. Its all about putting a team together to win the championship. Anything less than that, no Spurs fan should be happy. This is not a not for winning league like a not for profit organization. Its for winning, for profit. Hopefully winning first.
this is one GREAT article, Kori. That's why I was more of frustrated than hate Rose after that "towel over his head" incident", because he is so cool I wondered why is just missed shots and some turnovers.
glad to read about that "new" relationship w/ Pops.
Welcome Back, Malik!!!
Nice story, cqsallie. I don't think Pop was "showcasing" Malik last night. Horry didn't have it going on last night...he just didn't. Rob wasn't very attentive to Odom on the perimeter, nor could he stay in front of him.
Pop and the team really needs Malik when Horry doesn't have it.
So you think that holding a contract over a player's head for the better part of 2 years and making him a mainstay on the trade block is conducive to winning when the motivation for moving him is to cut long term payroll?Is your last name Forbes?
I don't give a crap about how many millions they make or lose. Its all about putting a team together to win the championship. Anything less than that, no Spurs fan should be happy. This is not a not for winning league like a not for profit organization. Its for winning, for profit. Hopefully winning first.
Is your last name Schoening?
Spurgal,
That's nice and I am glad you are great friends of his and his family and I hope that his brother makes a full speedy recovery.
Most opinions here are not just from the most recent lapses in his judgement. Its from years of substandard performance for an NBA player on a championship level team that most fans have very high expectations of. This has been going on for about 3-4 years now. Its time for Malik to move on. Isn't that why they are shopping him daily?
Malik has been a great Spur and he definitely has flashes of brilliance. Sometimes I think Pop fails to realize that Malik is not 7 foot and he is forced to player bigger than he really is. Who knows? Spurs have a few weaknesses that need to be filled and Malik could be traded and I am quite confident that he will be successful wherever he goes, however, dude is going to sit in a chair as long as he is a Spur.
Good one, Sparky...
Of course not, but wtf? why pay a guy 10 games of revenue to sit on the bench? That is not very smart.
He wasn't that "substandard" in the 2003 le run, a fact made even more important by David Robinson's health at the time. Given the current roster Rose is just as valuable given that Rasho is the starting center and that no other reserve big offers the mix of both speed and physical play that Rose brings.
Again, all of the crap between him and Pop started with that contract. If Malik was making the league minimum every year like a not too few San Antonians seem to expect then none of this crap would ever have started.
Totally agree.Again, all of the crap between him and Pop started with that contract. If Malik was making the league minimum every year like a not too few San Antonians seem to expect then none of this crap would ever have started.
Fans are bitter as well.
...amen.
let's just hope Malik shld continue his good game 'til playoffs. But, you cannot really stop people from saying those things because they know Malik is expected to do things BIG, & sometimes he just can't. And it's not just Malik who receives those bashing, Rasho, too.
You pay a player because he's earned it. Rose earned that contract back in 2002, yet that wasn't good enough for the organization and a not too few Spurs fans.
For all of the talk about how the Spurs are the model organization or whatever in the NBA there are still imperfections. This doesn't just extend to Rose, as we saw with what transpired with Parker's extension last October.
It's not very smart to weaken your team for what is ultimately a non-basketball reason.
Fans in San Antonio seem to be bitter that anyone not named Duncan or Robinson gets paid.
What happened was the Lakers offered Rose a contract during that 2002 offseason and Rose gave the Spurs the option to match it. The Spurs matched it but from the second they matched it, they've been trying to trade him. They didn't want him going to the Lakers and winning championships next to Shaq and Kobe.
And it's a good thing they did because the Lakers probably beat the Spurs in 2003 if Rose is on the other team.
Is this true?
Malik's contract was for seven years. Was the Lakers' offer for seven years as well?
I think that was the main problem. They could have offered him a 4-5 years contract and we wouldn't be in any dilemma today.
Its funny. Malik has one good game the other night against a very weak Laker team and 2 years of sitting on a chair is forgotten. 7 years, 42 million, isn't that what he gets to play once every 5 games?
Is that what LA offered him? How is that possible, considering they were s ing out money for Shaq, Kobe, Horry, and George? and other salaries they had. I am sorry, I never heard of any such offer. Spurs won that series because of Tim, David, Jax, Claxton and Kerr. Malik in gold would've costed the Spurs the championship? Sure.
As for Parker, Manu, Tim, Bowen, they deserve what they got. Dollar for Dollar, their talent level is exactly what their market value is.
..it is smart if they think that he CAN CONTRIBUTE if players like duncan(lakers game), & Robinson(2002-2003 season), gets injured?
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