Karl Malone
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Karl Malone (born July 24, 1963 in Bernice, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player. He was nicknamed the Mailman for his consistency ("a Mailman always delivers") and was arguably the greatest power forward ever. He spent many years as a player for the Utah Jazz. Before he retired, he played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2003-04 season.
NBA career
Karl Malone was drafted by the Jazz in 1985 out of Louisiana Tech University with the 13th overall pick. For many years, he and John Stockton played together on the Jazz, forming one of the most productive guard-forward combinations in NBA history. Both players were perennial All-Stars, and both were selected to be a part of the Dream Team, the legendary 1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team that was the first to feature NBA players. Stockton holds the NBA record for most career assists, most of which were passed to Malone in the duo's many pick and roll plays. In Salt Lake City this is commemorated by a car dealership with the name Stockton to Malone Honda. Since the owner of the Jazz, Larry Miller, owns several car dealerships, one could assume the creation of this dealership was part of their package for playing for the Jazz.
Malone received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice while playing for Jazz in the 1996-1997 and 1998-1999 seasons. He was also selected to eleven consecutive All-NBA First Teams from 1988-1989 to 1998-1999, two All-NBA Second Teams and one All-NBA Third Team. Despite being one of only nine players to win the NBA Most Valuable Player Award more than once, Malone has never won a championship ring.
Stockton's retirement at the end of the 2002-2003 season put an end to the dynamic duo's long run and provided Malone with a final opportunity for a championship ring, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Lakers were defeated in the 2004 NBA Finals by the Detroit Pistons four games to one, leaving Malone to decide whether to retire at the age of 41 or continue and try to win a NBA title and the long-coveted championship ring. The Lakers were considered to be at the forefront of the race to sign Malone, but feuding with Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant led to Malone's rejection of the Lakers. It was revealed that one of the feuds was started at least partially by alleged suggestive comments Malone made to Bryant's wife.
Although NBA teams sought his services for the 2004-2005 season, Malone decided to retire as a player on February 13, 2005.
Other interests
Malone played a minor acting role in the 1994 bomb Rockwell: A Legend of the Wild West about Orrin Porter Rockwell. His appearance and accent were frequently parodied by comedian Jimmy Kimmel (who impersonated Malone) on Comedy Central's The Man Show in the late 90s. Malone is also a staunch supporter of the National Rifle Association and has considered running for governor of Arkansas on the Republican Party ticket. Additionally, he has become known for his unusual hobby of trucking in the offseason, as well as his unusual crosstraining regimen, which includes running up and down mountains.
Malone's daughter, Cheryl Ford, plays for the Detroit Shock in the WNBA, and was a key component of their WNBA Championship team in 2003.
Malone wrestled a match for World Championship Wrestling on July 12, 1998 at Bash at the Beach. He teamed with Diamond Dallas Page and lost to Dennis Rodman & Hulk Hogan of the nWo.
External link
- Basketball-Reference.com: Karl Malone (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malonka01.html)
| 1992 Olympic Champions Men's Basketball – "Dream Team" |
| Charles Barkley | Larry Bird | Clyde Drexler | Patrick Ewing | Magic Johnson | Michael Jordan | Christian Laettner | Karl Malone | Chris Mullin | Scottie Pippen | David Robinson | John Stockton |
| Coach Chuck Daly |
| 1996 Olympic Champions Men's Basketball |
| Charles Barkley | Anfernee Hardaway | Grant Hill | Karl Malone | Reggie Miller | Hakeem Olajuwon | Shaquille O'Neal | Gary Payton | Scottie Pippen | Mitch Richmond | David Robinson | John Stockton |
| Coach Lenny Wilkens |