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“Big Game” James and Chick Enter Hall
09.09.03
Former Laker forward James Worthy and legendary Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn were among the seven inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night, September 5th, in Springfield, MA.
Worthy, who spent all 12 of his seasons (1982-1994) with the Lakers, was an integral part of the “Showtime” Lakers who dominated the NBA in the 80’s. He won titles with the team in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Although, he often played second fiddle to Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on those great teams, Worthy was the model of consistency, averaging 17.6 points for his career, and thrilled fans with his fast-break slam dunks and his amazingly quick turn-around baseline jump shot.
Worthy was famous for his ability to come up big in important games, like Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals, when he scored 36 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists as the Lakers captured back-to-back titles that season by beating the Detroit Pistons 102-100. Worthy was named the series’ MVP, and games like that helped him earn the nickname, “Big Game” James.
The man who gave him that nickname, Francis Dale “Chick” Hearn, was the team’s first and only play-by-play announcer after the franchise moved to Los Angeles in 1960. Chick called an amazing 3,338 consecutive games from November 21, 1965-December 16, 2001, and was at the mic for all of the team’s nine championships in Los Angeles.
He missed a large chunk of the 2001-02 season due to heart and hip problems, but “Golden Throat” returned to the mic just in time to call the Lakers third consecutive title over the New Jersey Nets in 2002. Hearn died on August 5, 2002 at age 85, after sustaining head injuries from a fall at his home.
Hearn’s rapid-fire approach to calling games was unparalelled by any sports broadcaster, and he is widely credited with coining the phrases such as “slam dunk” and “air ball,” and is famous for his Chick-isms such as “the mustard’s off the hotdog,” faking players “in the popcorn machine,” and putting ballgames “in the refrigerator.”
Others enshrined at Springfield included, former Celtics star center Robert Parish, Harlem Globetrotters star Meadowlark Lemon, Earl Lloyd, who broke the NBA color barrier, and former Louisiana State women’s basketball coach Leon Barmore.
Media Link:Yahoo! – “Worthy, Parish enter shrine”
Link: NBA.com History – Hall of Fame 2003
Malone Will Not Rejoin Olympic Team
08.19.03
Los Angeles Lakers forward Karl Malone will not return to the US Olympic qualifying team in Puerto Rico, because of the death of his mother.
Malone had previously planned to return to to the team, but felt it was more important to stay with his family after the sudden death of his mother.
“It was more important for him to be with his family and we all understand that,” US coach Larry Brown said. “Hopefully he’ll be part of our team in 2004 if we’re lucky enough to qualify.”
Should the US team qualify for the 2004 Olympic games, by attaining one of the three berths available from the qualifying tournament, the “Mailman” would retain his spot on that team, as would Laker guard Kobe Bryant.
New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin was added to the US roster to replace Malone.
News Link – Yahoo! – “Malone will miss Puerto Rico tournament”
It’s Official, Malone and Payton Are Lakers
07.15.03
Karl Malone and Gary Payton are now officially members of the Los Angeles Lakers, after signing contracts shortly after midnight Eastern time on Wednesday.
Malone signed a 2-year deal worth $3 million, while Payton also signed a multi-year contract, which will pay him $4.9 million this season.
Laker team spokesman John Black and general manager Mitch Kupchak had dinner at a West Los Angeles restaurant Tuesday night with Payton and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, and Malone’s agent, Dwight Manley. Lakers front office employees Ronnie Lester and Bill Bertka were also present. Malone faxed in his contract from Arkansas shortly after it was allowed to be signed.
The players will be formally introduced Thursday at Staples Center.
The addition of Malone and Payton to the already potent tandem of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, will give the Lakers one of the more feared starting lineups in NBA history.
News Link – ESPN – “Payton, Malone officially sign on dotted line”
News Link – Lakers.com – “Lakers Sign Free Agents Gary Payton and Karl Malone”
It’s Official, The Mailman Delivers in LA
07.10.03
ESPN is reporting that Karl Malone today verbally agreed to join the Lakers this upcoming season, just days after Gary Payton made the same commitment.
Malone will play for a mere $1.5 million, nearly $18 million less than he made last season as a member of the Utah Jazz. While he could of have signed for more money in San Antonio or even Sacramento, the “Mailman” was lured to Los Angeles by the desire to win a championship, and the chance to play along side Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Lakers starting lineup, on paper, could be the most formidable in league history, with four potential Hall of Famers.
Payton and Malone’s agreement to play for very little money for a run at a championship is proof positive that for some players do play to win first.
With these two signings, the Lakers have addressed their two biggest weaknesses from last season, a power forward who can shoot the jumper and rebound in Malone, and a point guard with the stellar offensive and defensive skills of Gary Payton. And they did it all for just over $6 million.
News Link: ESPN – “Malone makes move, heads to Lakers”
“The Glove” Fits in Lakerland
07.08.03
In the aftermath of Kobe Bryant‘s legal woes, the Lakers have something to celebrate, as All-Star guard Gary Payton has verbally agreed to take $4.9 million to play with the team next season.
Payton’s commitment ends days of speculation that he would get a sign-and-trade offer with Milwaukee, and play for the Portland Trail Blazers, or even sign with the Miami Heat. In the end however, Payton’s desire to win a championship as a Laker was the deciding factor, according to his agent Aaron Goodwin.
Also according to published reports, Payton may end up signing a multi-year deal with the team.
Payton’s verbal agreement may be a signal that future Hall of Fame free agent forward Karl Malone is close to agreeing to play for the Lakers next season as well. Stay tuned!
News Link: ESPN – “Payton to ‘follow dream’ with Lakers”
News Link: ESPN – “Payton signing may mean another L.A. final”
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