Rings are on their minds

Steve Virgen

Away from the calm and away from the picturesque setting overlooking

the ocean where they both live, Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone go to

work, as they call it, for the Los Angeles Lakers.

But the 2003-04 season has been much more than work for Malone and

Bryant, who are Newport Coast residents. In so many ways their

respective seasons have been like a whirlwind, even more so for

Bryant, obviously.

It has been a trying season for Bryant, who has been accused of

rape. Malone has dealt with his own adversity this year, as well.

In August, Malone suddenly was overcome with emotional pain. His

mother, Shirley, died of a massive heart attack. Malone’s season with

the Lakers did not begin with all the flash and glamour that had been

expected. However, determined, Malone built strength and endurance

during the off-season, especially in that month of August.

He did so to prepare his 40-year-old body for the upcoming season.

He did so because there was a reason he came to Lakerland. There was

reason he took a $17.8 million pay cut. The reason: an NBA

championship. That has been elusive for Malone.

Dreams of a title seemingly hung in the balance a few nights

before Christmas when the Lakers hosted the Suns. A hush came over a

sellout crowd at Staples Center when the NBA’s second all-time

leading scorer went down with an injury and grimaced in pain. In 18

seasons, Malone, also known as “The Mailman,” had missed only six

games because of injury.

But Malone was a bit fearful and definitely disappointed with the

injury Sunday night. With 8:09 remaining in the first quarter, Malone

was injured. After Malone attempted an outside shot, the Suns’ Scott

Williams backed into him and the two fell. Williams appeared to land

on Malone’s knee. Williams said he heard a pop.

“[That was] very scary because Karl doesn’t get hurt too often,”

Bryant said after the Lakers defeated the Suns, 107-101. “When you

see him go down like that holding his knee you’re very afraid that

it’s something serious.”

Malone has not played since and may go on the injured list prior

to tonight’s battle with the Seattle. On the night of the injury

though, he was nervous that he might be out for an extended period of

time. “It’s frustrating,” Malone said. “I came here to play. It’s

nice that we got the win, but you watch and you want to be out there.

But you’re smart about it, too. That’s what the trainers and doctors

are for. Sometimes you think you should be out there.”

Malone said he became anxious while the Lakers played because he

remains motivated to fulfill his goal of winning an NBA title.

Against the Suns he learned of patience because previously he was

under the impression of doing whatever it takes to be out there.

“To hopefully win a championship, that’s the reason I came,”

Malone said. “To be around a group of guys who want to compete every

night.”

Malone turned down offers from Dallas and San Antonio to become a

Laker. He came with Gary Payton, who was also motivated to win an NBA

championship. Also, Malone’s presence brought a sense of relief for

Shaquille O’Neal.

Yet, when Malone came to the Lakers he did not really know much of

Bryant. He could not relate to him as much as he could with Payton or

Shaq. Malone is tied with Payton because they signed together, linked

with O’Neal because of the pressure he takes off him, yet with Bryant

there was nothing there in the beginning.

The two just knew of each other as All-Stars, but now they have

been getting to know each other as teammates.

“I play off him extremely well,” Bryant said. “We play off each

other extremely well. He’s just a phenomenal basketball player, [and]

a better person.”

When Bryant endured questions of whether to play this year before

the season began, Malone was one of the first Lakers to come to his

defense, saying that Kobe needed to play basketball.

Bryant proved that and showed his passion for the game Dec. 19

when he nailed a game-winning shot, capping a day that started in

Colorado, where he attended a court hearing. He arrived late to the

game, yet delivered the game-winner to lead the Lakers to a 101-99

victory over Denver.

Against the Suns, his game wasn’t as special. He would say, just

another day at the office. He scored 10 points, committed four

turnovers and was assessed a technical foul late in the game. Aside

from his emotions off the court, questions have arose if he’s 100%

since recovering from off-season knee surgery.

“Are you back now?” a reporter asked after his performance against

the Suns.

“I’m here,” Bryant said. “I just kind of do whatever the team

needs me to do on any given night. If they need my legs then my legs

will be there.”

Bryant showed little, if no effects of his surgery Tuesday night.

Though the Lakers lost to the Warriors, Bryant looked in rare form

when creating highlights on three dunks.

Away from the court, the media circus that was expected to follow

him this season hasn’t been in sight. That’s just fine with Bryant,

who has been concentrating solely on the Lakers and winning an NBA

title.