HEART DISEASE FORCES KNICKS’ MOBLEY TO RETIRE
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley retired from the NBA on Thursday because of heart disease that he said has gotten worse.
Mobley, 33, has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart muscle to thicken, making it harder to pump blood.
The Knicks acquired Mobley last month from the Clippers — a trade that might ultimately have saved his life. An EKG during his physical showed an irregularity with the heart, which Mobley already knew existed. The Knicks decided to perform an MRI exam, which revealed the more serious condition that previously had gone undetected.
“The doctors said to not chance it and I feel as though they’re right. Having an 8-year-old son, having a long life ahead of me, it’s the smart thing,” said Mobley, who averaged 16 points in 11 seasons with the Rockets, Magic, Kings and the Clippers. He was expected to become the Knicks’ starting shooting guard after the Nov. 21 trade.
“Even though you love something so much, and I am in love with basketball,” Mobley said, “but sometimes you have to get a divorce.”
Artest out; McGrady practices
HOUSTON — Rockets forward Ron Artest will sit out the next two games with a sprained right ankle, while guard Tracy McGrady practiced and might return ahead of schedule from a knee injury.
Center Yao Ming skipped the workout because of a cold.
Swingman Brent Barry, who has missed eight games with a torn calf muscle, also practiced, but it’s doubtful he will play tonight against the Warriors.
“I think the best Christmas present for coach (Rick) Adelman would be to actually give him his lineup,” Barry said.
Footnotes.
Thunder forward Chris Wilcox is expected to miss 10 to 14 days with a dislocated left ring finger.
• Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is expected to miss at least two games with a sprained left ankle.
The Associated Press
