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Summarized by Rosemary Pollock
Madsen Fitting In to Lakers
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA -- One day into training camp, 6-foot-9, 240
pound "MadDog" Mark Madsen has secured Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe
Bryant as his champions. "He's active, hustles, listens, rebounds and
isn't scared to play," O'Neal said. "He's one of those big, solid
dudes......He's my type of guy, dude." Kobe Bryant is also impressed
with Madsen's come-early, stay-late approach. "Every day he gives his
all, his whole effort - goes 110 mph all the time, so I like Mark,"
Bryant said.
Madsen is a Mormon with an economics degree from Stanford. Back on
draft day, Jerry West assured everyone that No.1 pick Madsen would
quickly become a Laker favorite. "Anybody (bleeps) with Mad Dog,
they've got to (bleep) with me. Period," O'Neal said.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson hints that Madsen will have a spot in his
rotation. Jackson is curious to see if the referees will give Madsen
some latitude on fouls. "This is a kid you can't keep out of the
gym," Jackson said. Currently, Madsen is sporting a black eye
compliments of Horace Grant's elbow.
Madsen has been willing to pattern his game after another undersized
rebounding specialist, ex-Laker Dennis Rodman. "No piercings or
tattoos yet, but I'll try to match the hustle," Madsen said. "To be
honest, in college I was too short and too slow, and I was able to do
some things in college," Madsen said. "And even now, people question
the height, the quickness - but I think the heart overcomes a lot of
those things, and you can play taller than you are by going hard and
by hustling."
Madsen has also befriended Ukranian Stanislav Medvedenko, even though
they play the same position. "Madsen's a great kid, and he's
encouraging him and helping him through, trying to be a companion for
him," Jackson said.
Source:
Madsen earning heavyweight pals
Orange co CA Register 10Oct00 S2
By Kevin Ding: The Orange County Register
LAKERS: The hustling 'Mad Dog' has Shaq and Kobe in his corner.
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