Disheartening words, regardless of what line of work a person is in. Everyone wants to go out on their own terms. But with each passing day, it appears less likely that Cuttino Mobley will have that privilege. From Frank Isola at the New York Daily News:
Mobley is due to arrive in New York today, and there is a strong possibility that the veteran guard will be forced to retire due to a heart condition. Mobley has been meeting with specialists since being acquired from the Clippers in the Zach Randolph trade three weeks ago.
The Mobley story is strange and sad for a number of reasons. Heart conditions are serious business. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in this country, and the ordeal must be frightening for Mobley and the people who care about him. The prospect of anyone losing his livelihood — even if that livelihood is derived from playing a game for outrageous sums of money — is difficult. Ironically, durability has been one of the hallmarks of Mobley’s 11-year career. From the Clipper perspective, Mobley will always be regarded with fondness. He willfully chose the Clippers during free agency in 2005 — a significant event at the time — and was a linchpin of the Clippers’ most successful season in franchise history.
Several questions remain unanswered. The condition isn’t new and reportedly raised concerns while Mobley was in Houston. Were both the Clippers and Mobley under the impression that it wasn’t dire? Did Mobley know the condition was a problem, but took the risk in order to play? Was it a case in which Mobley didn’t realize how serious the situation had gotten until he took his physical for the Knicks?
Whatever the case, best of health to Cat.
