Mobley Retires

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I have a small autograph story with CAT. It was May 2007 at the Santa Monica Pier during that NBA Nation thing. He was the Clippers representative to sign autographs. I took my little brother with me. He signed my shirt and my hat and he signed my brother's shoes. I thought it was pretty cool to get up close to him. This story isn't as entertaining as JJ's but it was pretty cool to me.

[ClipperEric]

uh...no. how is this a "ploy" when mobley is one visiting all these heart specialists? he has an enlarged heart and the condition has gotten worse since the last time he had it checked - way back before he was traded/signed with the clippers(cant remember which). knicks don't save any money anyway. because it is a pre-existing condition, they will have to waive him and pay his full salary for the next 2 years. they receive no injury exception.

I could be mistaken but I heard over the weekend that if he's out due to medical reasons, he still gets his full salary but the Knicks only have to pay 1/3 towards the luxury tax. I cannot verify this.

Plus I don't think Cat wants to spend his final years on a losing team. He could easily play along in order to sign for a contender.

[mkwest]

Mobley Set to Announce Retirement on Thursday

Cuttino Mobley is set to retire. An official announcement is expected Wednesday night.

Mobley made the decision after undergoing extensive testing of a heart condition.

Mobley is 33 years of age and has played 11 years in the NBA, averaging 16 points and 2.7 assists per game while playing for four teams.

The Knicks waived Mobley's physical requirement in the salary-dumping trade that sent Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to the Clippers in exchange for Mobley and Tim Thomas.

ESPN

The article said that he has the same ailment that Lewis & Gathers had. If that's the case then I am glad that he has decided to hang 'em up. I'll never forget when Reggie got a second opinion on his heart condition. I'm really glad that Cat is playing it smart, and thinking long term. I would have loved to see him join our coaching staff, but at this point it's probably best to distance himself from basketball for awhile.

Cat, I wish you the best in all future endeavors. May you enjoy your family, your friends and make the most of your retirement Cat.

uh...no. how is this a "ploy" when mobley is one visiting all these heart specialists? he has an enlarged heart and the condition has gotten worse since the last time he had it checked - way back before he was traded/signed with the clippers(cant remember which). knicks don't save any money anyway. because it is a pre-existing condition, they will have to waive him and pay his full salary for the next 2 years. they receive no injury exception.

I could be mistaken but I heard over the weekend that if he's out due to medical reasons, he still gets his full salary but the Knicks only have to pay 1/3 towards the luxury tax. I cannot verify this.

Plus I don't think Cat wants to spend his final years on a losing team. He could easily play along in order to sign for a contender.

That is what would typically happen. I think because Cat had a pre-existing condition that he would not receive the same coverage as most players.

[scratch21]

[x2]

I don't believe it. I think its a ploy for the Knicks to save some money. Sounds like everybody has known about this for a long time and nobody ever cared before, it can't be too serious.

I bet this works out Mobley's favor. I bet he'll sign on with winning team for the minimum, perhaps Houston, the Spurs, even the Lakers.

Seriously, Why would the Knicks even considered saving some money. They have all the money in the world to throw at anybody. He only has two years left, exactly the contract they want, he can sit on the bench and rotten for all they care. It'll be more suspicious if he have like 3 or 4 years left. The article did mention that his heart condition got worst. I don't like he's coming back at all.

[MalReyn]

I bet Mobley was very unhappy with the trade cause he knew something like this would have happened.

I doubt it, considering this finding may have saved his life!

While I'm sure he's sad his playing days are over, I bet it's a trade he'd gladly make.

[PlinkingPanda]

I bet Mobley was very unhappy with the trade cause he knew something like this would have happened.

I doubt it, considering this finding may have saved his life!

While I'm sure he's sad his playing days are over, I bet it's a trade he'd gladly make.

Yeah now that things are starting to unravel, I'm kinda glad this trade went through. Have any of you guys ever heard of his heart condition getting worse over time before now? If this trade didn't go through then he wouldn't have taken that physical... Do they perform these on a yearly basis for all players? If not.. Just think how bad it could have been since he had 2 more seasons left on his contract. It sucks for his career to end this way, but I'm glad he's making the right choice.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I think players do take physicals every year. Just in case something arises, just like what happened to Mobley.

[cinnamon]

This is really sad. But it's good he's taking precautions, we don't need another scenario like Reggie Lewis or Hank Gathers.

Should he retire, I think it's necessary that he come back for a Staples Center tribute. It's only fitting.

Illastrate's idea of a Staples Center tribute is a great one.
I vote for that.
I wish the guy a long and healthy life, so glad this was caught and properly tested and assessed in time, and if he wants to stay in basketball, I'm sure there's an off-the-court job for him.

[playaloc916]

Since it looks like this retirement thing is gonna go thru with Mobely, I'd like to ask everyone to share their favorite memory of Cat. It could be when he was with the Clippers or otherwise, basketball or non-basketball related, anything at all.

The first and only time I met Cuttino was during a game three seasons ago, the playoff season. Cat was inactive and instead of sitting behind the bench, he was standing back in the tunnel that leads to the locker room. He was wearing a white suit with a ruffled collar and white gator shoes-- no joke. I'm pretty sure there was a pink accent on his lapel too, but for now, let's just leave that as speculation. He shuffled around a lot, until eventually he was standing right next to where I was sitting, only the metal railing separated us. Obviously, I would do the whole "glance and look away" thing; it's not every day you watch a Clips game next to Cat, right? Eventually he caught on, and I realized that he would turn and look at me while I was watching the game, and when glanced back down at him, he looked away. It got pretty awkward pretty quick, at least for me, so I squeezed out a "Hi" and an awkward smile.

"Hey," he said with a nod, and smiled politely.

I have this purse that has the LAC logo all over it, and it was at my feet, near the railing. A couple seconds after saying "Hey," Cat reached through the railing, picked up my purse, pulled out a sharpie from inside his jacket, signed my it, put it back at my feet and said "You're welcome," and walked away with his hands in his pockets.

Yeah, it was tough to hold back the laughter, but I held it till he was far enough away. That was one of my favorite moments at Staples Center, period, all thanks to Cat and his white gators. Its safe to say that Cat always carried himself with style and a twist of good intent, and I'm gonna miss that around these parts.

Whoa, that's pretty cool. I've never met him before, but he seems like a real class act.

My favorite memory of Mobley was probably this one time when he was playing for the Rockets, and then he hit like 5 or 6 threes in the game, and after one 3 pointer, he looked at his hands like they were on fire or something, that made me laugh. And also, one time I think he was guarding Kobe, or some other premier player at the top of the key, and it was an iso, and then he looked backwards, and then did a little prayer/cross over his chest. That also made me laugh.

He had a solid run in the NBA. He should definitely look back and be proud of the career he had, especially being a 2nd round pick. I'm going to miss him.

[PlinkingPanda]

My favorite memory of Mobley was him dunking over Odom then getting a T for getting up in his face for a few seconds. That was just beautiful. ^^

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I remember that very well

[mkwest]

That's one of my favorite Mobley moments as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhi4d7dIKuI

[JJ LoDuca]

My absolute favorite Mobley moment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZOdoAc9fek

Sentimental value: I was at this game, it was packed, and after he hit the winner, I jumped up and hit my shin on the chair in front of me. I still have the scar!

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I remember when Mobley hit that shot. I remember that were had a pretty good lead in that game and that the Nets came back. I was so excited when Mobley hit that shot. Don't forget the half court shot Mobley hit against Denver in our 1st Round Playoff series against Denver, Game 2. I was at that game

[ClipperDomination]

Here's to Mobley's career!

The moment(s) I'll remember him the most for was not with the Clipps, it was when he was with Francis.

[JJ LoDuca]

Here's to Mobley's career!

The moment(s) I'll remember him the most for was not with the Clipps, it was when he was with Francis.

And that's all I have to say about that.