Karl Malone's Agent Contacts Spurs

[Evilmav2]

Malone's Agent Contacts Spurs

Wire and Staff Reports
Tuesday, December 14, 2004


According to a report set to be published in Tuesday's editions of the San Antonio Express-News, Diwght Manley- the agent for unsigned forward Karl Malone contacted the Spurs over the weekend hoping to arrange a conversation between Malone and Gregg Popovich, the Spurs' coach and executive vice-president.

The paper, and other broadcast reports in San Antonio indicate that Manley spoke with Spurs general manager R.C. Buford.

"It was just setting up an opportunity for Pop and Karl to talk," said Danny Ferry, who works closely with Buford.

Popovich is said to be awaiting word from either Malone or Manley as to when they could speak.

"I don't want to talk to anybody but Karl. I don't need to talk to Manley or anybody else," Popovich told the paper. "I gave that job up a couple years ago. R.C. and Danny can handle that part."

The Spurs, perhaps more agressively than most other NBA teams, have been calling Malone for two seasons trying to find a way for him to come to San Antonio.

A seperate report by John Hollinger, also set to appear in Tuesday's editions of the New York Sun, indicates that there are three title contenders vying for Malone.

According to the paper, San Antonio is the most fitting suitor.

"The Spurs certainly could use the frontcourt depth that Malone would provide," writes Hollinger. "Malone's passing skills and toughness would mesh well on a club that values team harmony and defense in equal proportions.

"But a few problems could arise if Malone were to join the Spurs. First, San Antonio asks an awful lot of its big people defensively, especially in the shot-blocking department, and Malone can't cut the mustard here. He's 41 and has had two serious knee injuries in the past year; even at his peak, he was mostly floor-bound.

"Second, this might not be Malone's cup of tea. He wants to help a team win its first title instead of being viewed as riding Tim Duncan's coattails to a third Spurs championship. Moreover, Malone can break the all-time scoring record by the end of next year if he plays enough minutes, but he has little chance of seeing that kind of playing time as a Spur.

"In fact, San Antonio's interest is most likely a ploy to keep Malone away from another Western power, Minnesota. It's not lost on either team that Malone did a good job of defending Duncan in last year's playoffs, and he could help the T-wolves in a number of other ways.

Hollinger writes that Malone would, instead, be a perfect fit in Miami.

"The Heat's frontcourt depth is terrible, so Malone would have little trouble getting enough minutes and shots to challenge the scoring record. Also, he fills an obvious need on a Miami team that has lacked a reliable third scorer since Eddie Jones forgot how to shoot.

"But here's the coup de grace: Malone would be helping Shaq win a title. Nothing would burn up Bryant more than seeing Shaq hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in Miami with a jubilant Mailman standing next to him."

Through all the speculation, however, one thing remains clear. As other teams, including the Knicks, have been running up their long distance bills calling Malone's agent, only one team has been called by Karl's agent himself: the Spurs.

And San Antonio's front office would love nothing more than to get the Mailman a new address in South Texas.

[V2M]

Malone to Miami certainly makes more sense than SA or Min. He can go for his all-time scoring title and play for a championship as the east seem like a piece of cake this year.

[Dirkenstien]

"Second, this might not be Malone's cup of tea. He wants to help a team win its first title instead of being viewed as riding Tim Duncan's coattails to a third Spurs championship.

First of all, we're talking about a guy that just left his only team to play with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant; he is not worried about riding anyone's coat tail.

Secondly, I really dont think Malone wants a lot of responsibility on his shoulders to begin with. He is old, rusty, has banged up knees, and wants a ring. If he goes to play anywhere, it will be with the Spurs because he knows that as of right now, they are the best team in the league and will most likely have the best chance of winning the championship come tournament time.

[4cwebb]

I can only hope that if Malone joins the Spurs that his curse will again prevent the team he joins from winning the title. Hired gun just doesn't sit well with me when this guy is arguably the best PF ever to play the game.

[El Lobo]

Kobe's wife will miss him.

[Usually Lurkin]

S.A. radio station is reporting that Malone is now in town to deal with the Spurs and that he will make a decision by this Friday.
Is it a coincidence that this occurs just after the Spurs take over the #1 spot?

[#41]

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[Drbio]

I hope he does go to San Antonio. I think it weakens them at this point due to his health. I'm not ignoring his toughness, intangibles, etc, but SA has a damn good team and I think he gums it up a bit.

[mary]

Geesh. If he could, he'd probably wait till Conference Finals to join a roster. Waiting until this late in the season, I don't see how you can look at it as anything other than riding coattails.

[rakesh.s]

sick and tired of malone..for the past 2 months, he was "supposed to decide at the end of the week"

What is SA going to do with this guy anyway?? Play him as their PF and move Duncan to Center?