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Tuesday, August 7, 2001
Longley says he can't play on arthritic ankle
Associated Press
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SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. -- New York Knicks center Luc Longley says he's "basically retired"
because of his arthritic left ankle.
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"It's such that I can't play on it," he said Monday. "It's a
shame it's come down to this."
Longley said he has seen numerous specialists who have
told him "it's a no-brainer."
Longley was participating in a golf tournament at Santa Ana
Pueblo's golf course to raise money for a foundation that supports
research and awareness of paralysis in children.
The 7-foot-2 center is in the middle of a six-year, $32.4
million deal with the Knicks.
"I have three years left on my contract, and I'd like to be
paid," Longley said. "We'll see how it goes. Then, again, I'd
like to be able to walk in five years."
League doctors would have to rule Longley medically unable to
play for him to retire and be paid the balance of his contract, but
he said that "hasn't been resolved yet."
Longley said he has no plans for retirement other than to live
in Australia and reacquaint himself with his two children.
Longley played 7 minutes in the last 39 games last season after
coming to the Knicks as part of a four-way deal that sent Patrick
Ewing to Seattle.
Longley played in 25 games during the season after averaging
nearly 20 minutes in 72 games with Phoenix the previous season.
He also played for Australia in the Olympics, but he did not
practice because of the ankle.
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