LA needs a credible power forward, and budding stars Elton Brand and Jermaine O'Neal are beyond the team's means. That leaves such players as Juwan Howard, Keon Clark or P.J. Brown. But why not go for the gusto? Why not go for Malone?

He sets brick-wall screens. He is an above-average passer. He makes 15-foot jump shots. He rebounds. He would ruin double-teams. He can defend one-on-one and still moves well enough to play help defense.

Most important, Malone does not take nights off. He approaches every game with intensity and professionalism. And he has a little bit of Harper in him -- old enough to be crotchety, with enough of a resume to back up his flapping gums, unlike Howard, Brown and Clark.

Malone would not sit in the locker room talking about heart. He would look around at the Lakers, and every night the team underachieved, he would say, "This team ain't crap." That's exactly what the Lakers need.