The Lakers are winning, and doing it with Shaquille O’Neal’s health in question and Samaki Walker injured. The reason? Two words: Mark Madsen. That’s right folks, the Mad Dog isn’t just a bad-dancing towel-waver anymore. The guy does more with less than anybody, and with both Shaq and Walker hurt over the past three games, he’s actually been making an impact. Whether defending Yao Ming and blocking four Houston shots, finishing on a tough pass from Kobe Bryant or just being fundamentally sound, the Stanford graduate is getting significant playing time for the three-time defending champion Lakers and making the most of it.
At only 6 feet 9 inches, Madsen is an undersized forward who often plays center. Players like Arvydas Sabonis and Ming dwarf the Walnut Creek native and have 10 times as much skill. But somehow Madsen competes, despite the lack of skill and physical talent he possesses relative to other players in the NBA.
The real question here is: How is a guy like Madsen still even in the league? There have got to be numerous 6-foot-9-inch guys out there with much more talent then him. Guys who can make 15-foot jump shots with regularity and who shoot over 50 percent from the free-throw line.
But Madsen has something those other guys don’t. I won’t say hustle, because lots of guys hustle, and it doesn’t seem to help. But it’s something like hustle and it’s something mental. It’s a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the rebound or distract the defender or, in general, to help the team.
As much as the comparison seems silly, Madsen is playing like Dennis Rodman once did. Unconcerned about how something he did on the court looked, the only thing Rodman was concerned about was helping his team win. The main difference between the two is that off the court Madsen is a model citizen and productive member of society, while Rodman … well … isn’t.
Madsen is a smart guy, a cerebral player on the court. So was Rodman. Guys like them have to be. The unwavering work ethic that comes from the desire to be a part of something greater then yourself is something that a player can use to better his or her team, no matter skill level. Rodman was stronger and had more physical gifts then Madsen, but the mentality is the same and is why guys like Madsen will always have a place in the NBA.
When I tell my children about basketball greats, surely I’ll tell them about great players like Magic, Bird, Jordan, Shaq and Kobe. But Madsen and guys like him will never be left out of the conversation.
Soon Walker and Shaq will get better, and Madsen will be reduced once again to a cheerleader.
But for now, Madsen may finally be turning more heads with his playing on the court than with his dancing, and for that, we should all be thankful.