<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers second-round draft pick Ronny Turiaf said Friday he's well on his way to recovery from heart surgery and is hopeful he'll one day wear the purple and gold. Turiaf, who is recuperating here after open-heart surgery to repair an enlarged aortic root on July 26, said he will be cheering for his potential teammates this season as he works his way back into playing shape. A decision on whether he can eventually play in the NBA is ``way down the road'' and up to his physicians and team management, Turiaf said, vowing to return stronger and better than before. </div> Source <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">``One day I was under contract and I was happy and I was going to play in the NBA and the next day my career is put on hold,'' he said. ``I have no doubt that I'm going to play basketball again but, that can happen, so you better enjoy yourself and your family and friends. I'm pretty happy with the situation I'm in.''</div> Good luck and here's to a safe return to the NBA!
It's good enough that he lives, but it would be even better if he made a quick recovery. Lakers need him badly.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ronny Turiaf has lost 25 pounds, but he hasn't lost his desire to play for the Lakers in 2006-07. "I'm going to play basketball again. My heart is fixed," Turiaf said at Gonzaga University. The news conference at Turiaf's alma mater marked his first public appearance since he underwent open-heart surgery July 26. Turiaf, the Lakers' second-round draft pick in June, had his contract voided when he failed a team physical because of an enlarged aortic valve. Doctors told Turiaf from the outset that he would miss at least one season, but Turiaf said he hopes to practice with the Lakers at some point in 2005-06. "I can now ride the [stationary] bike 10 or 15 minutes, and I can dribble the ball on the court," Turiaf said. "My heart rate goes up pretty fast. I can't sprint [when dribbling], but I'm moving faster than a walk." Turiaf said the Lakers paid for his operation, and his rehabilitation and living expenses are covered through Gonzaga by an NCAA-approved plan for major financial needs. * Correspondent Howie Stalwick contributed to this report from Spokane, Wash. </div> Source: LA Times August 20 2005
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"I know for a fact that I will wear that purple and gold next year," Turiaf said at a news conference in Spokane, Wash.</div> Turiaf: 'No question mark' on returning
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> A decision on whether he can eventually play in the NBA is "way down the road" and up to his physicians and team management, Turiaf said, vowing to return stronger and better than before. "I'm going to play basketball again," he said. "My heart is fixed ... there is no question. There is no need to tell me I can't play basketball if my heart is fine. So, I will play basketball, unless you don't want me to." </div> Link
