All-Star Mark Price Retires

February 11, 1999 / 9:05 PM EST / AP

Mark Price could have played another season, but he was frustrated by the injuries, weary of all the moving around and anxious to get on with the rest of his life.

So, one of the greatest shooters in NBA history announced his retirement Friday, ending a 12-year career that included four All-Star games, a spot on Dream Team II and some memorable battles with Michael Jordan.

"It is time," Price said during a news conference at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, where he starred for Georgia Tech in the 1980s. "My wife and I are expecting our fourth child in two weeks, there has been a lot of wear and tear and we have made four moves in the last four years."

Price, who will turn 35 on Monday, had offers from several teams to return for another season. But he was leaning toward retirement after being waived in June by the Orlando Magic, and the lockout clinched his decision.

"You have to know when to say when, and now is the perfect time," Price said. "It makes me feel good to step down when it's my choice and not because nobody wants me."

Only 6-foot and 180 pounds, Price was hardly an imposing presence on the court. But his uncanny shooting touch earned him a spot in the NBA, and he became a star by honing his passing skills.

He has the highest career free-throw percentage in NBA history (.904) and shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range. He finished with career averages of 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game.

Price spent his first nine seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, making the All-Star game in 1989 and 1992-94. He was a member of Dream Team II, which won the world championship in 1994.

"He's probably the greatest shooter in NBA history," said Brad Daugherty, a teammate of Price's for eight seasons in Cleveland. "If I needed someone to take a shot at the end of the game, it would be Mark."

Unfortunately, the Cavaliers hit their prime about the same time as Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Five times, Cleveland lost to the Bulls in the playoffs, including a memorable first-round series in 1989 when Jordan hit the winning shot at the buzzer in Game 5.

"We had some great teams in Cleveland," said Price, whose Cavalier teammates also included Ron Harper and Larry Nance. "But we happened to come along when one of the best players in the game was at his peak."

Still, Price made a name for himself by helping transform woebegone teams into winners.

A native of Enid, Okla., he signed with Georgia Tech in 1982 when the school was at the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Three years later, they won the league championship and reached the regional finals of the NCAA tournament.

Price is the third-leading scorer in school history (2,193 points) and the career leader in steals (240).

"Mark came here at a time when we were real, real low," Georgia Tech coach Bobby Creins said. "We needed somebody really special."

Price was picked by Dallas in the second round of the 1986 draft, then dealt immediately to Cleveland. He was starting over again, going to a team known derisively as the "Cadavers" after eight straight losing seasons, including a 29-53 mark the year before.

By 1989, the Cavaliers had the second-best record in the NBA (57-25) and seemed ready to challenge for the title. But they couldn't get by the Bulls in the first round.

"If Michael doesn't hit that shot in Game 5, I think we have a legitimate chance to win the NBA championship," Price said.

The Cavaliers reached the 1992 Eastern Conference finals after eliminating Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. Once again, though, Jordan and the Bulls were standing in the way, beating Cleveland in six games and going on to win the second of their six championships in the '90s.

In addition to Jordan, injuries plagued Price throughout his career. He played only 16 games in 1990-91 after tearing up his knee and a broken wrist limited him to 48 games during his final season in Cleveland.

Price was traded to Washington in 1995 but played in just seven games because of a foot injury. The following season, after signing with Golden State, he broke a bone in his wrist. Traded to the Magic in 1997, he was hampered by a thumb injury but still averaged 9.5 points and 4.7 assists.

"Mark should be very proud of what he accomplished," said Lenny Wilkens, who coached Price for seven seasons in Cleveland. "I just wish he could have played a little longer."

Price, who lives in suburban Atlanta, hasn't decided what he wants to do with the rest of his life, but it will probably involve basketball in some form. He also looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Laura, and their growing family.

As for his playing career, Price said he hopes to be remembered simply as someone who "gave it everything I had when I stepped on the court. I would not have made it otherwise."

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