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Shaq makes noise about leaving as Tomjanovich takes Lakers job
(HK Edition)
Updated: 2004-07-12 07:23

The Los Angeles Lakers named Rudy Tomjanovich as head coach on Saturday but could be on the brink of losing All-Star centre Shaquille O'Neal.

Media reports suggested O'Neal had informed the Lakers he was willing to be traded to Miami Heat in exchange deal for Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and possibly Caron Butler.

"I have not had any conversations with Shaquille or his representatives regarding anything like that," general manager Mitch Kupchak told a news conference to introduce Tomjanovich as head coach.

He did add, however, that O'Neal had "a unique way of letting me know information that he wants me to know."

Tomjanovich said he had spoken to O'Neal but added the details of the conversation would remain private.

"He is wonderful, great, dominating player and I don't know what is going to happen," Tomjanovich told reporters at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Tomjanovich coached the Houston Rockets for more than 11 years and won back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.

He also coached the US Men's basketball team to a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in March 2003 and resigned as coach two months later, although he has continued to work as a scout for the Rockets.

"About a year ago I had one of the darkest times of my life. I found out I had bladder cancer and I thought it was the best that I separate myself from the team I loved, from the players I loved and from the game I loved," he said.

New family

"I beat cancer. I'm telling you I'm so grateful to be here. It changed my life and now I have a chance to start a new family with the Los Angeles Lakers," Tomjanovich added.

Kupchak said the Lakers had drawn up a short list of four to replace Phil Jackson who stepped down as head coach last month, three days after the team suffered a shock defeat to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals.

The list comprised former coach Pat Riley, who is now president of Miami Heat, college coaches Roy Williams of North Carolina and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke as well as Tomjanovich.

Riley and Williams both declined to be considered while Krzyzewski was offered the job but finally opted to remain at Duke. The team then offered Tomjanovich the job.

Tomjanovich was asked if he was disappointed that he was not the Lakers' first choice.

"The way my life has worked it has always been like that and it always will be like that and it's okay with me. It is part of the formula. It is what makes me go," he said.

The Lakers also face a fight to keep another leading player, guard Kobe Bryant, who is a free agent and has been talking to other teams, including local rivals the Los Angeles Clippers.

Tomjanovich said he had spoken to Kobe's agent and felt the conversation went well.

He was effusive in his praise of Bryant at the news conference.

"This guy (Bryant) is phenomenal. What he did this year under the circumstances to me is a tribute not just to his physical toughness but to his mental toughness," he said.

"I truly believe he has a chance to become the greatest player to ever play the game," Tomjanovich added.



 
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