Giant undertaking

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Gheorghe Muresan must have been the world's tallest stay-at-home dad, a 7-foot-7 diaper changer who also mowed the lawn and did the plumbing.

That was how the former Washington Bullets center and one-time movie actor -- he appeared with Billy Crystal in "My Giant" -- spent most of the past few years: being with his wife, tending his two sons and taking care of their home in Franklin Lakes, N.J.

It was a difficult adjustment at first.

Muresan arrived in Washington in 1993 a monumental man of mystery and in a short time became a basketball celebrity. No player in NBA history was taller, a distinction he shared with former Bullets center Manute Bol and one that quickly made him a fan favorite.

But his body wouldn't hold up under the strain of pro basketball. After six years in the NBA, he played one final, injury-riddled season in exile in France. He retired for good three years ago at the age of 30 because his broken-down body couldn't take it anymore.

"My legs didn't get the same power because my back was very damaged. Enough was enough," said Muresan, who may need a third operation on his back soon. "I had the nicest life in the world until I retired. It was very hard to transition to retire. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. I did nothing -- absolutely nothing -- for a year."

The fallen giant is feeling better these days, and he flashed a quick smile as he ate a California roll at a sushi restaurant downtown. He talked about the pleasures of home life and his plans for the future.

"This is my dream," said Muresan, a Romanian who spent four seasons with the Bullets. "I had a dream to play in the NBA. Now, my dream is to be around my kids and have fun with them playing basketball."

And others' kids, as well.

Muresan is beginning a second career as an entrepreneur in the business of basketball.