Malone joins O'Neal, Bryant, Payton in Lakers lineup
By Times Wires
Published July 11, 2003
LOS ANGELES - Free agent Karl Malone, the NBA's second-leading all-time scorer, committed Thursday to join the Lakers, giving them a lineup with four superstars.
Larry Miller, the owner of the Utah Jazz with whom Malone has played since 1985, said he had spoken with the forward on Thursday and Malone confirmed he intends to sign with the Lakers.
Malone joins Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Gary Payton. Payton, a nine-time All-Star, agreed this week to join the Lakers.
Both Malone, a two-time league MVP, and Payton have not played on an NBA championship team. The Lakers won the title three straight years before losing to eventual champion San Antonio in the second round this year.
Malone, who is taking a big pay cut, said that his prime goal was to win a championship.
"I'm 40 years old, and I'm honored someone wants me," Malone said from his farm in Arkansas. "I'm honored to get a chance to play with Shaq and Kobe. I understand that this is their team."
Ruckus in Bryant room
A late-night ruckus in Bryant's hotel room prompted a nearby guest to complain to the front desk, kicking off a sexual-assault investigation, according to an employee at the resort where the alleged assault occurred.
The Denver Post reported that after the telephone complaint from the other guest, hotel staff were called to break up the dispute, which occurred after the woman in question, a 19-year-old hotel employee, apparently went to Bryant's room in her duties as concierge.
Bryant appeared casual and talkative that night and the next day, the resort employee said.
The next night, he unexpectedly checked out and traveled 40 miles to Glenwood Springs, where, escorted by Eagle County sheriff's officers, he apparently submitted DNA samples at Valley View Hospital and then retired for the night to the Hotel Colorado.
A decision on whether to charge Bryant with sexual assault will be announced next week.
KNICKS: Willis Reed returned to the team in the newly created position of special basketball adviser.
76ERS: Former NBA coach Chris Ford became an assistant to new coach Randy Ayers. Ford, who spent the past two seasons as coach at Brandeis University, led the Celtics to consecutive Atlantic Division titles in 1991 and 1992, and also coached the Bucks and the Clippers.
WARRIORS: Former South Florida player Will McDonald, a 6-foot-11 center who was not chosen in last month's NBA draft, signed with Golden State. Wednesday, in his first game with the Warriors' summer league team, he had 15 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes in a 104-102 loss to the Lakers.
WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: Paul Davis, a forward at Michigan State, scored 24 as the United States edged Slovenia 84-83 in the opening round.
SACRAMENTO 89, SAN ANTONIO 76: Yolanda Griffith had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the host Monarchs. Coach John Whisenant got his first victory with the team.
CLEVELAND 68, PHOENIX 67: LaToya Thomas hit a short jumper with 3.2 seconds to play for the visiting Rockers. She scored 20.
CHARLOTTE 65, DETROIT 58: Tammy Sutton-Brown scored 17 for the host Sting. Andrea Stinson added 14 before leaving with a hip injury.
INDIANA 76, NEW YORK 69: Tamika Catchings' 15-footer from the left baseline with 45 seconds left completed the Fever's comeback from an 18-point deficit to stay perfect at home.
MINNESOTA 83, CONNECTICUT 75: Katie Smith scored 34 points, the most in the WNBA this season, and the Lynx shot 54 percent at home. Smith also reached the 4,000-point mark in the game.
- Times staff writer Pete Young contributed to this report.
