Malone Raps Bullets for Not Re-Signing Him

Free-agent center Moses Malone has criticized the Washington Bullets for not offering him a long-term contract, claiming that management is “scared of success” and that his former teammates “don’t have the right attitude to win.”

“They have some good players but there are no great players,” Malone, 33, said of the Bullets. “They (the players) don’t know how to win the big games and (management) doesn’t have the right attitude it takes to win. The name of the game is winning. They need to get some big-time ballplayers.

”. . .If you want the great talent like some of the other teams, you have to pay for the players. They have to take the money out of their pockets. If they have a good player, they should pay that player and make sure he stays. Don’t let that guy get away. They shouldn’t get rid of him because of his high salary and then try to find someone to replace him for a lower salary. If you get a good ballplayer, pay the guy.”

In his first extended interview since being told on July 5 that the Bullets no longer were interested in his services, Malone also said “there’s no way” he would have accepted a one-year offer from the team and said that he would have considered ending his career in Washington if the Bullets had given him a three-year deal.

“Washington knew what I wanted,” Malone said. “They knew I wanted three years. If they offered me a three-year contract, this might have been where I would retire. I came from Philadelphia (in a 1986 trade for Jeff Ruland and Cliff Robinson) thinking, ‘I wouldn’t mind retiring in Washington.’ But I didn’t get the opportunity. (Washington) felt they needed younger ballplayers. Well, that’s their decision.”

Malone also was critical of team owner Abe Pollin’s announced intention to acquire younger, unproven players instead of veterans. Said Malone: “The fans want to see a winner. They don’t want to wait 25 years to see what a team can do.”

Pollin was not available to comment and Bullets General Manager Bob Ferry declined to comment on Malone’s criticism of team management.

Malone also said he never had any problems with Bullets Coach Wes Unseld. “I’m the type of guy that wanted to win,” he said. “And he (Unseld) wanted to win. Unseld knew my game, and he knew what I could do best.”

When told that the Bullets will have tryouts for 27 prospective centers Monday--many of them veterans of the Continental Basketball Assn. or former collegians who were not drafted--Malone said: “It’s a situation where if they have enough money, they should go out and buy themselves a quality center. They have the money. You know they have the money. I don’t know what they’re doing now; if they’re just trying to get a body (to play center).

“They let Manute (Bol) and I go, so now they really don’t have a defensive center. They don’t have anyone to do what Manute and I did. Manute (now with the Golden State Warriors) was the one guy that was blocking most of the shots, and I was the type of guy that was banging, pushing, shoving and also blocking some shots.”

Malone, a 14-year veteran, also said that he believes that he can play in the National Basketball Assn. at least three more years, despite criticism that he may be slowing down after years of pounding in the pivot. “I don’t care what people say,” Malone said. “I have three to five more strong years. I’m still strong and still one of the top three centers in the league.”

Malone declined to discuss any details of negotiations with other NBA teams. He reportedly has received a three-year, $6 million offer from the Atlanta Hawks, who also are interested in acquiring James Edwards, a free agent center who played with the Detroit Pistons last season.

Malone’s wife, Alfreda, and one of his agents, Jeff Austin of Advantage International, also said last week the Lakers had expressed interest in Malone. However, Lakers General Manager Jerry West denied any interest in Malone.

“When I do sign, you’ll know,” Malone said, adding that his main goal now is to finish his career with a championship team.

He also acknowledged he may have to take a pay cut to achieve that goal. The Hawks’ contract reportedly called for him to receive $1.5 million the first year, $2 million the second and $2.5 million the third. Last season, Malone was paid $2.1 million by the Bullets.

“My main concern now is to be in a winning situation,” Malone said. “Philadelphia (the NBA champions with Malone at center in 1983) was the greatest team I ever played on. I want to win again. Money isn’t that significant anymore.”

Reggie Turner, Edwards’ agent, said Thursday that he is confident that the Hawks will sign his client. While Turner would not discuss the specifics of the contract, he said the offer is a “significant increase” over Edwards’ $600,000 salary last season with the Pistons.

Turner explained that although the Hawks are traveling to the Soviet Union Monday to play an exhibition game, General Manager Stan Kasten will be staying behind to talk with Edwards. “Kasten hopes to work everything out by (next) Saturday.”