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          Better late than never for Payton, Malone
          (Agencies)
          Updated: 2004-06-06 15:38

          Gary Payton and Karl Malone remember their feelings on the eve of their previous appearances in the NBA Finals.

          "I'm a whole, whole lot more relaxed this time," Malone said. "I bet Gary is, too."


          Los Angeles Lakers' Karl Malone talks to reporters following practice Saturday, June 5, 2004, in El Segundo, Calif., for Sunday's Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Detroit Pistons. [AP]
          Such are the benefits of being a supporting player on the Lakers' talented roster instead of a star expected to beat Michael Jordan. Payton's Seattle SuperSonics lost the 1996 finals to Jordan's Chicago Bulls, while Malone fell short in 1997 and 1998 with the Utah Jazz.

          But Payton and Malone are in prime position to claim their first championship rings after 33 combined seasons. They're starters for the Lakers, but not required to be the difference-makers in their series against the Detroit Pistons.

          "Being a favorite is a little bit better," Payton said. "When I was in here the last time, I had some good players around me. But these guys have already been champions, and it's easier to go out there. This is what I signed up for, and it was worth it.

          "I knew there was going to be a lot of ups and downs and difficulties, but I signed for what I wanted. I just want a chance to get that ring."

          Payton and Malone are four victories away from the title, and they don't believe the achievement will be tainted by their carpetbagging moves to Los Angeles. They've endured a full season of struggles with the Lakers, becoming key parts of the team along the way.

          "The journey we had to take to get here, this is the way it's supposed to be," Malone said. "We worked our butts off. We deserve to be here."

          The rest of the Lakers also use their veteran teammates' quest as motivation. After practice at the Lakers' training complex in El Segundo on Saturday, Kareem Rush and Devean George both mentioned their desire to win it for "the old guys," as George put it.

          Another one of the Lakers' old guys is hoping Malone and Payton get their reward as well. Horace Grant was left off Los Angeles' playoff roster after playing 55 games in the regular season, but he works out with the club and lends moral support from the bench.

          With four rings already in his own jewelry collection, Grant hopes to spread the wealth to Payton and Malone.

          "To be so close and not get it, it's like the carrot's in front of you, and you're a rabbit, and the farmer takes it away, and the farmer only comes around every six, eight years," Grant said. "I can imagine how sweet it's going to be if we can get a ring for those guys."

          Rasheed Wallace will get a chill when he takes the court with the Pistons on Sunday — and it won't be a good feeling.

          Wallace will never forget the emptiness he felt after his Portland Trail Blazers blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference finals. The Lakers won 89-84 and went on to beat Indiana for the first of their three consecutive championships.

          Wallace was the Blazers' star in that game, scoring 30 points — but he also had six of Portland's 13 straight missed shots in the fourth. He also missed two free throws that could have tied the game with 1:25 to play.

          "It's still with me now," Wallace said Saturday. "I still haven't played a Finals game yet. That's something that's been in the back of my mind ever since I got here."

          The collapse even follows Wallace off the court. It comes up in social situations when Wallace gathers with Scottie Pippen, Steve Smith or other members of that Portland team.

          "We try not to talk about it too much," Wallace said.

          Wallace was traded to Detroit via Atlanta in the winter, and he keyed the Pistons' surge to their first conference title since 1990.

          "We wouldn't be here without him," coach Larry Brown said. "I'd be on summer vacation."

          The Pistons are 32-12 since Wallace arrived, and he believes their momentum could continue into the building where he had the biggest disappointment of his career.

          "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could do it," Wallace said. "I'd be home, playing with my kids."

          Rick Fox won't let inflamed nerves prevent him from playing in the finals.

          The Los Angeles forward has soreness in his neck, back and shoulders, but he'll be in uniform for Game 1 Sunday.

          "There's no time to rest right now," he said. "It won't hold me back. It's just pain."

          Fox could be an important defender for the Lakers against Detroit forwards Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace and Corliss Williamson. During the conference finals against Minnesota, Fox acknowledged his desire to take on the Pistons' frontcourt.

          "There are some things I hope I can do to slow them down," Fox said.

           
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