Shaq, Kobe, Payton and Malone !!!
Entering the offseason without
the label "champion" attached to their name for the first time
in 4 years, the Lakers assembled one of the greatest NBA roster ever.
|
Karl
Malone:
Second-leading scorer in NBA history and considered perhaps
the greatest power forward ever, signed a 2-year deal worth
about $3.2 million. |
|
Gary
Payton:
One of the finest NBA point guards, signed a two-year contract
worth $10.4 million. |
|
|
  |
* Both can opt
out after the first season. * Both accepted big paycuts from their salaries
(Malone earned $20 million last season and Payton $12) for the chance to
win a championship. * Payton and the Sonics played in the NBA Finals once
and Malone with his Jazz did it twice. But every time they had the bad luck
to face Michael Jordan in his prime. * Magic Johnson gave the Mailman
his permission to wear his retired No. 32. Malone wore No. 32 for 18 seasons
in Utah, but, as a sign of respect will use another number.
More
additions:
|
| Horace
Grant |
38
years old and 16-year veteran who was member of the Lakers 2001 title
team, will be Karl Malone's backup at power forward. He also was a
member of the Bulls' championship teams in 1991, '92 and '93. |
|
| Bryon
Russell |
32 years old
free agent guard from the Wizards |
|
Lakers
Draft Picks:
|
 |
Brian Cook:
First round, 24th, forward, 6-10 (2.08 m), 240 p (108.4
kg), birthdate: Dec 4, 1980 (Lincoln, Ill.), High School: Lincoln
HS (Lincoln, Ill.) Career Highlights: Named Third Team All-America
by AP as a senior. Named Big Ten Player of the Year by conference
coaches and media as a senior. Ranks third all-time in Illinois history
in scoring and fifth in rebounding. |
|
Luke
Walton:
Second round, 32nd, forward,
6-8 (2.03 m) 245p (111.1 kg) birthdate: March 28, 1980 (San Diego,
Calif.), High School: University HS (San Diego, Calif.) He is the
son of Hall of Famer Bill Walton. Career Highlights: Named
Honorable Mention All-America by AP following junior and senior seasons.
Ranks 4th in school history with 582 assists. One of three players
in Pac-10 history to total 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds and 500
assists. During four-year career, Arizona won 102 of his 129 (.791)
games played |
|
Players
gone:
|
| Robert Horry |
the Lakers didn't exercise their option, and as
a free agent, Horry signed a two-year contract with the San Antonio
Spurs. |
| Mark Madsen |
a fan favorite who averaged 3.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 14.5
minutes in 54 games last season signed a two-year contract with the
Minnesota Timberwolves as a free agent. |
| Samaki Walker |
free agent. New team: Miami Heat |
| Brian Shaw |
retired after 14 NBA seasons. |
| Tracy Murray |
free agent. Went to Portland. |
|
This is the 2003/2004 Los Angeles Lakers roster
| NO. |
PLAYER |
POS |
HT |
WT |
YRS |
DOB |
| 2 |
Derek Fisher |
G |
6-1 |
205 |
7 |
8/9/74 |
| 3 |
Devean George |
G-F |
6-8 |
240 |
4 |
8/29/77 |
| 8 |
Kobe Bryant |
G |
6-6 |
215 |
7 |
8/23/78 |
| 12 |
Jannero Pargo * |
G |
6-1 |
170 |
1 |
9/22/79 |
| 14 |
Stanislav Medvedenko |
F |
6-10 |
255 |
3 |
4/4/79 |
| 17 |
Rick Fox |
F |
6-7 |
235 |
12 |
7/24/69 |
| 21 |
Kareem Rush |
G |
6-6 |
215 |
1 |
10/30/80 |
| 34 |
Shaquille O'Neal |
C |
7-1 |
335 |
11 |
3/6/72 |
| 4 |
Luke Walton |
F |
6-8 |
245 |
R |
3/28/80 |
| 7 |
Brian Cook |
F |
6-10 |
240 |
R |
12/4/80 |
| 20 |
Gary Payton |
G |
6-4 |
180 |
13 |
7/23/68 |
| 11 |
Karl Malone |
F |
6-9 |
256 |
18 |
7/24/63 |
| 54 |
Horace Grant |
F |
6-10 |
245 |
16 |
7/4/65 |
| 9 |
Bryon Russell |
G-F |
6-7 |
225 |
10 |
12/31/70 |
| 31 |
Jamal Sampson |
F |
6-11 |
235 |
1 |
5/15/83 |
|
* As a free agent went to Toronto and then to Chicago
|
|
| Head Coach |
Phil Jackson |
| Assistant Coaches: |
Tex Winter
Kurt Rambis
Frank Hamblen
Jim Cleamons
|
| Trainer: |
Gary Vitti |
|
|
|
Roster
