http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/NBA_SC-RUMOR Team by Team Chicago Bulls Updated: 7/8/2003 Reports out of Portland and Chicago indicate that Scottie Pippen isn't opposed to returning to the Bulls. He was in Chicago for personal reasons last week. (7/8) Dallas Mavericks Updated: 7/8/2003 The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Jermaine O'Neal has cancelled his trip to Dallas on Tuesday because of a family emergency. Owner Mark Cuban is afraid O'Neal may never visit. O'Neal's agent, Deddrick Faison, says his client still intends to visit both Dallas and San Antonio. (7/8) ... The Dallas Morning News reports that Alonzo Mourning is not completely sold on Dallas, despite receiving a personal visit from Cuban last week. (7/8) Denver Nuggets Updated: 7/7/2003 The Nuggets have met with Alonzo Mourning and intend to do the same with Michael Olowokandi, according to the Denver Post. The team is also interested in Andre Miller and Gilbert Arenas. (7/7)...A Post source says David Falk, the agent for Juwan Howard, is trying to orchestrate a sign-and-trade for his client. (7/7) Indiana Pacers Updated: 7/8/2003 GM Donnie Walsh said he has scheduled a meeting with Jermaine O'Neal and remains optimisitic that O'Neal will re-sign with the team, according to the Indianapolis Star. Walsh did not specify when the two sides will meet. Walsh also said that he has made contact with the agents for both Brad Miller and Reggie Miller. (7/8) Los Angeles Clippers Updated: 7/8/2003 Corey Maggette, a restricted free agent, has visited with Denver and Utah, and intends to visit Chicago next, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. (7/8) Los Angeles Lakers Updated: 7/8/2003 The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Karl Malone will likely sign with the Lakers, with or without Gary Payton. The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that Malone would sign with the Lakers for the $1.5 million exception if it helped the team's efforts in signing Gary Payton. He visited with the team last week. The Lakers' front office is reportedly confident Malone will sign with the team. (7/8) ... Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, says Los Angeles is in the lead for his client's services. However, Miami and Portland are still in the race, according to the Times. (7/8) Miami Heat Updated: 7/8/2003 The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Gilbert Arenas may be an option for Miami. His agent, Dan Fegan, said he discussed Miami with his client. Miami has $11 million in cap space upon learning that point guard Anthony Carter is a free agent following his failure to exercise a player option on his contract with the Heat. (7/8) ... Alonzo Mourning is unhappy the Heat haven't offered him a contract. The Palm Beach Post reports that the Heat are currently exploring other options. (7/7) Milwaukee Bucks Updated: 7/8/2003 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that a sign-and-trade of Gary Payton is still an option. Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, reported on Monday that Payton has narrowed his wish list to three teams -- Miami, Portland and the L.A. Lakers. (7/8) New York Knicks Updated: 7/7/2003 The New York Daily News reports that Maciej Lampe is negotiating a buyout of his deal with Real Madrid. Lampe hopes to join the Knicks' summer league team. (7/7) New Jersey Nets Updated: 7/8/2003 The Bergen Record reports that Jason Kidd golfed with members of the Nets' front office prior to his trip to San Antonio. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Express-News reports that Kidd's visit to San Antonio with his family went well. He has given no indication of his intentions. (7/8) Orlando Magic Updated: 7/8/2003 The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Magic received a visit from P.J. Brown on Monday as the team looks to add depth to its frontcourt. He is slated to visit San Antonio next. (7/8) Philadelphia 76ers Updated: 7/8/2003 Philadelphia is in serious negotiations with Kenny Thomas as the team looks to re-sign him, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. (7/8) San Antonio Spurs Updated: 7/8/2003 The San Antonio Express-News reports that Jason Kidd's visit to San Antonio went well. However, Kidd gave the team no indication of his future plans. (7/8) ... The New York Times reports that Tony Parker isn't too thrilled the Spurs are courting Kidd. Parker believes he is a point guard and isn't interested in playing the two-guard position if Kidd comes to town. (7/8) ... P.J. Brown, who visited with Orlando on Monday, is slated to visit San Antonio next. (7/8) Utah Jazz Updated: 7/8/2003 Dwight Manley, Karl Malone's agent, suggested on Monday that his client hasn't made a decision on where he'll play next season, according to the Deseret Morning News. The Los Angeles Daily News paints a different picture, suggesting that Malone will become a Laker. (7/8) ... The Deseret Morning News reports that Andre Miller will interview with the Jazz sometime this week. Gilbert Arenas may also. (7/7) It seems we're sitting on our asses while everyone else is upgrading.
If Karla Malone goes to LA for 1.5 mill My respect for him hits a all time low The bending over and groveling for a ring at this point [MIND YOU . . I LIKE CB4 but . .. Him taking coming to the Rockets was not good IMO at the time] This is almost like the Yankees Rocket River
Yeah, passing on millions of dollars for a good chance to do what it is that everyone should be getting into sports for...winning a championship.
Translation: A "star" that jumps on the coattails of more talented players just to say that he won a championship.
<b>If Karla Malone goes to LA for 1.5 mill My respect for him hits a all time low</b> Let me see if I get this straight, people constantly rip athletes for taking the money over winning, so here's a guy who is choosing to win over getting another payday, probably his last huge payday, and people rip the guy? Why? It's garbage to say that a guy is "groveling" for a ring, especially since he is going to a team that didn't win a championship last year. I don't understand, you're a free agent so you can go to every team in the league, instead of the ones with the best chance to win a title because it's groveling!? <b>This is almost like the Yankees</b> The Yankees have been accused of buying players and championships, the Lakers are getting guys who want to take less to play for them. The Yankees "bought" Giambi. The Lakers didn't buy Payton and Malone, especially since Miami was likely to offer Payton more then double what the Lakers would have given him.
So if you're a free agent you don't go to the best chance to win a championship because you're "riding someone coattail"? I really believe that the excuse of "he didn't earn it and road someone's coattail" is just an excuse for people to continue to rip players they don't like because that player may or may not win a championship. The Lakers need a PG or a PF or they're probably not going to win a championship. Malone is a PF, Payton is a PG, the Lakers need them MORE then Payton and Malone need the Lakers, just because the Lakers are getting older, slower, aren't deep and have to many holes while the rest of the West improves. I'm pretty sure the Lakers called them, and rightfully so, so that they could improve. What do you think should have happened, the Lakers call Payton and Malone and say "look, Fisher is useless and we have no PF, come join us to help us win a championship", and they respond with "Well you're team is depleted and all, but we're not going to ride your coattails for a ring!" That would be stupid. How is it riding the coattail of a team when that team needs you to upgrade. The Lakers weren't a championship team, they were a #5 seed last year that was lucky to get out of the first round. And the team that they beat in the first round improved immensely, with Cassell and probably Howard. The team they lost to in the 2nd round is about to improve immensely. The other team they would have to face, Dallas, is looking to improve with Mourning and possibly Kidd. But the Lakers are supposed to sit back because Payton and Malone would be "riding someone's coattail for a ring"!?
Damn it RM95 and RocksMillenium! Shut up! Who cares if people are ripping that b*stard Malone! He is Malone and he played for the Jazz.
Okay you know what, playing for the best team you can pplay for is not a bad thing. People like to win, and they want to be somewhere where they CAN win. Sure its selfish, but I thought that's what sports were about.
Its fine if Malone wants to join the Lakers to win a championship. However, he will forever live with the fact that he did not earn his championship. He was not the centerpiece of a championship team, much like a Rick Fox or a Bruce Bowen. If he can live with that, more power to him. True greats can do it on their own.
like rezdawg said, his ring that he'll win is worth less than the ring the lockout season champs won. To be considered as one of the greatest 50 players ever and to cave in and ride Kobe's and Shaq's team is a disgrace. 'Oh but it was him that helped them gain that ring'. Please . If you add a PJ Brown instead of Malone you'd still get a ring. Malone should have just retired with Stockton...at least he went out w/ greatness and dignity
"Greatness and dignity"...Karl Malone? He couldn't close the deal on a championship by his own, and now that Stockton retired and the Jazz is in rebuilding mode, you want him to retire coming off a 20 point season? Riiiiight..... The whole concept of free agency is selfish. What would be unselfish? Taking a pay cut to goto the Clippers? Pulling a Cutino Mobely only to be trade bait 2 years later? Malone was at best a second teir option for many teams. It wasn't until the Lakers made a grab at him that his value sky rocketed with longer extensions and bigger contracts. Many haters can't admit that they'd rather him fade to obscurity on some random team than have a high chance at the ring but instead are making excuses of how "great he used to be" and is selling out.
No i'll admit that. Fade into obscurity? Please. You talk of the guy you're defending as though he's carl herrera. He's been an MVP, Olympian, one of the 50 greatest players, 2nd all time scoring, and he's gonna FADE INTO OBSCURITY? What i'm thinking is that people will look back and see Stockton as a guy that gave it his all and that's all he had to give. He didn't get a ring, fine but he put his best effort forward. Malone? Yea they'll see the same guy i was describing but they'll always says 'BUT he had to get his ring by riding on Shaq's and Kobe's backs'. And who can argue against that? It's not like Malone came in and save the Lakers franchise. Like I said before, PJ Brown could have came in and could have done the same job.
I can't believe people are defending Malone for this. Is it better to play like you mean it than to play for money? Yes, but try doing it for the team that made you what you are. He may not win a ring ever if he stays with Utah, but as much as I hate the Jazz, I would have sooo much more respect for Karla if he stayed in Utah (for $1.5 million mind you, allowing the team to still sign a number of good players as nessecary) and kept them from joining the Rockets in five years of no-playoffs. Whatever. I guess if you can't beat them, join them - pathetic.
How can he suck even more that he did before? If you hate him with a passion, you can't hate him even more. Not winning a title leaves a mark on your career not matter how many accomplishments you have. CB has all those stats except 2nd in scoring. A lot of haters were probably satisified in the notion that Barkley, Stockton and Malone would end their careers without a title in hopes of tarnishing their storied careers. The man is 40 and can still score. There are many players with great legacies who spent half the time he spent in the league. Stars reaching retirement who can still play at some level and want to play are either in it more for the money or for the glory. Dream, Ewing, and Robinson wanted it for the money, though Robinson was lucky to get both. Chuck, Jordan, and now Malone came in it for the glory. Besides Robinson, those five changed teams to get what they felt like they deserved. In Malone's case, if he wins the scoring record without a title, I'd think more people would say that it's a great accomplishment but he's nothing great than having him play third/fourth fiddle on a championship team. The Lakers did not have a choice between PJ Brown and Karl Malone. If they thought Horry and Walker could ride Shaq and Kobe's coattails one more year, then they would've picked up their options. I'd think that Payton saved the Lakers more than Karl, but the attention has always been on Karl.
How can he suck even more that he did before? If you hate him with a passion, you can't hate him even more. You'd be surprised. Besides, arguing this PERSONAL opinion is pointless isn't it? Not winning a title leaves a mark on your career not matter how many accomplishments you have. CB has all those stats except 2nd in scoring. A lot of haters were probably satisified in the notion that Barkley, Stockton and Malone would end their careers without a title in hopes of tarnishing their storied careers. Dan Marino, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Barry Sanders, Earl Campbell, and even to the extent Patrick Ewing. "Haters" like myself aren't satisfied that they ended their careers w/o a ring. "Haters" like myself ARE satisfied that they, the great athletes that never won a ring, showed that they ARE human and ARE able to accept reality that it's time to just leave the game and leave it. Sanders, Marino and even Ewing could have went to other teams (it WAS possible) and got their ring like how Malone probly will. A person that can accept their best and accept a defeat is better than one that rather stick around and try to collect all their 'merit badges' Besides Robinson, those five changed teams to get what they felt like they deserved. Malone IS in good physical condition. But...Dream, Ewing, Jordan, Chuck changed teams to get 'what they deserved'? Dream, a shell of his former self when he went to Toronto, deserved a more than forgettable season? Ewing, a more than past his prime player going to Orlando and Seattle because he deserved that chance to DEFINITELY not get a ring? Jordan, who should have stayed retired the 2nd time, deserved to be the main man at age 38-39 because his 'young kids' couldn't play? You get the picture. They didn't change teams because they felt like they would get what they deserved. They changed teams because they were stubborn to just accept that they couldn't cut it anymore. Barkley went from team to team to get his ring but he was changing teams during his PRIME YEARS. and when his injuries and age caught up with him in Houston, he hung it up. Jordan came back because he was bored. Plain and simple. In Malone's case, if he wins the scoring record without a title, I'd think more people would say that it's a great accomplishment but he's nothing great than having him play third/fourth fiddle on a championship team. Dan Marino racked up records after records and A LOT of people still consider him one of the all time greats. That just shows you that your statistical achievement can, TO AN EXTENT, cover what you didn't achieve (championship). Yea the Ring is important and is paramount in sports, but it's not to the point where you have to go from being the top guy for so long on your team to going to another team to be a 4th option with people KNOWING that you won that ring because of the other 3 players in front of you. The Lakers did not have a choice between PJ Brown and Karl Malone. If they thought Horry and Walker could ride Shaq and Kobe's coattails one more year, then they would've picked up their options. I'd think that Payton saved the Lakers more than Karl, but the attention has always been on Karl. [/QUOTE] I'll agree that Payton is going to HELP the Lakers moreso than Malone. So why are we banning Malone and not Payton? Maybe because we see what they bring to the table. Payton could be considered one of the best PGs in history and one of the best defenders ever and even a Hall of Famer. While Malone comes in after being paired up with possibly the GREATEST PG ever for 19 years and not winning a championship. He also comes in as a future HOF'er and a man with a scoring crown within reach. There's just A LOT more Malone has going for him than Payton. Malone could have just retired and be remembered in greater terms than Payton himself. But to just say 'ok i'm tired of not having a ring i'll just hop aboard the bandwagon and go from being the man to being a 4th option JUST to get a ring' is shameful. With Payton, we KNOW he's going to run the point and play a more crucial role. With Malone, he's just there for the ride and, some games, the scorer. That's just not the Malone I, and many others, would like to remember by. You want to argue some more fine. But any way you try to analyze it, Malone is going to get a ring because he hopped on a DEFINITE chance to get a ring rather than going into the season believing that it's a fight.
i really respect Malone for this decision. He could stay with a loser team and get that scoring title. But he chose not for personal honor but for a title. I think it is great he wants a title and he doesn't care if he is the man in that team. BTW i do think that ego's wil be a big factor this year for the lakers, Kobe and Shaq got into arguments because they wanted more shots and be the man, Payton has a huge ego, and i hope for them that malone can keep the peace, and not react like a child if Kobe doesn't want a pick
