Ronny Turiaf

LAKERS FORWARD

On heart surgery that sidelined him for four months in 2005
I went through the physical you have to pass after you sign a pro contract and found out my aortic root was enlarged. I had surgery less than two weeks later. The first month and a half after that was the toughest time in my life. I couldn't put my socks on by myself, I couldn't shower by myself, I couldn't do simple things like drink a cup of water by myself. The love from my family really helped me heal faster. Without that, I wouldn't have been able to come back as soon as I did.

On his famous sideline dancing
I don't think the Lakers drafted me for my dancing skills. I think they saw a player that was 6'10", 245 pounds who could put the ball on the floor, drive to the basket, knock down jumpers and be a great teammate. But this is who I am. Sometimes I feel like I have so much energy that I can't control myself.

On life with the Lakers' nonstarters, a.k.a. the Bench Mob
We have a tight crew, with me, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Vladimir Radmanovic. We're always together. We're always watching movies, always at each other's house, playing with each other's dogs. We have an off-the-court relationship that carries over to the court.

On growing up in Martinique with his mother, Aline Cesar, and his father, Georges Louis, a former professional handball player in the West Indies
My dad was a big-time player, and unfortunately there was a kid named Ronny born on Jan. 13, 1983, who didn't allow him to continue with his career. That's what makes my dad so great. When he had kids, he decided to put his career, his love, on hold. I take my hat off to my pops for doing that.

"Without the love from my family, I wouldn't have been able to come back as soon as I did."

PHOTO

PHOTOGRAPH BY SCOTT COUNCIL;

X-RAY: NOT OF TURIAF