Othella could be forced to retire

[Wallace15]

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pla...ort=NBA&id=407

[Bobcat4Ever]

Here is article from Charlotte Observer

IN MY OPINION
Bobcats' Harrington at risk?

Knee injury might make him odd man out if new player signs

RICK BONNELL

As the Charlotte Bobcats continue to window-shop for another big man, you have to wonder who they'd cut to open a roster spot.

My guess, if it comes to that: Othella Harrington.

If he were healthy, Harrington would be that extra big man coach Sam Vincent needs. But Harrington's left knee hasn't fully healed from last season, complicating the situation entering training camp.

"He really is struggling with some knee and body issues,'' Vincent said. "I anticipate that his body has just gotten to the point where he just can't physically do it anymore. But I'm reserving that (judgment) until I have a chance to see him and spend time with him, because he may come back in and surprise us all.''

Harrington has traditionally been durable -- he appeared in 70 or more games in five of his last seven NBA seasons. But he now has 11 pro seasons on that body and might not have much left.

Cutting Harrington would be expensive -- he makes nearly $2.4 million this season -- but if he agreed to retire for health reasons, the Bobcats might recoup much of that cost in disability insurance.

Vincent has mentioned free agents Michael Ruffin or Marc Jackson as possibilities, and the team also worked out Vitaly Potapenko recently. Vincent uses the word "rugged'' to describe what he needs, and all three of those guys know how to throw their bodies around the lane.

[dvdbumpus]

*please let Othella retire and join as a coach somewhere*

It would be sweet to recoup some of that money due to injury insurance.

[Jonathanmartin7]

I thought he would have a better career coming out of college. He hasn't really contributed much but I'd hate to lose a good big body.

[ALong13]

Hell yea, So now we don't have to absorb his contract if we release him, hopefully he does indeed retire, sign Batista, and then sign Derek Anderson...

[davcbow]

There it is, let him go now and sign a younger faster physical "Big" guy....

[dvdbumpus]

Just to clarify, I think Othella is one helluva person, and it sucks that he may retire not on his own terms. However, as a fan of the team, I'm glad his lack of contribution may be coming to an end.

[bobcat4life]

said to hear him being forced to retire because of health issues but after reading an article in the charlotte observer it seems he needs this more than he knows. he hasn't from an injure since last year. his body is telling him to let it go. that said let's sign varejo, batista, and there is old reliable d.a. wait for us to scoop him up.

[dav7z]

If we can realease Harrington it will help big time at filling holes . It will let us sign two players to sure us up in our weakest areas a big and point[ D. Anderson] and who ever

[Mustachio]

sucks for anyone to be forced to retire and all... but it would be a great thing for this team. no cap implications and just get rid of that terrible contract and free up the roster spot he has wasted.

blessing for us, terrible for him.