Karl Malone was born on July 24, 1963, in the tiny town of Summerfield, Louisiana. He acquired his nickname when he was a college basketball player at Louisiana Tech. Malone was appropriately dubbed The Mailman because he always delivered. Throughout an 18-season career, Malone averaged over 25 points and 10 rebounds. A bruising power forward at 6 feet 9 inches and 256 lbs., Malone teamed with Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton to refine and perfect the pick-and-roll, the predominant offensive play in the NBA. However, the one achievement that eluded him was an NBA Championship.
College Career
Malone attended Louisiana Tech. Although he had a fine college career, averaging over 18 points and 9 rebounds, NBA scouts weren't wild about his pro prospects. He was chosen 13th in the 1985 draft by the Utah Jazz, who quickly realized they had uncovered a hidden gem. By the next season, Malone was well on his way to becoming a superstar.
Pro Career
By 1987, Malone was established as one of the premier big men in the game. Both graceful and bruising, Malone overpowered other power forwards and hit midrange jump shots with deadly precision. His consistency was remarkable -- from 1987 through 2000, Malone averaged over 23 points per game every season. The title eluded him, however. Malone and the Jazz reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, but fell to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. In the twilight of his career, Malone signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and teamed up with Kobe Bryant, but an injury-riddled Lakers team bowed to the Detroit Pistons in the finals. Still, Malone remained a formidable player, and was the only player in NBA history to record a triple-double at the age of 40.
Records
With his consistency and longevity, Malone tore up the record books. He averaged 25.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. His 11,406 defensive rebounds are the most by any NBA player, and his 36,928 points place Malone second to only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Malone was the league's MVP in 1997 and 1999, a 14 time All-Star, the last time at the age of 38. His defensive skills were somewhat overlooked -- Malone was named to the All-Defensive First Team in 1997, 1998 and 1999. In "The Book of Basketball, the NBA According to the Sports Guy," author Bill Simmons places Malone 18th on the list of the best NBA players in the history of the league, just ahead of Charles Barkley and just behind Bob Pettit and Julius Erving.
Personal
Malone managed to rub a lot of players the wrong way during his career. The Bleacher Report website says that "Malone transformed the elbow into an art form." When he teamed up with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, their tight relationship went into the deep freeze when Malone allegedly made a pass at Bryant's wife. He was outspoken in his opposition to Magic Johnson's return to the NBA after Johnson tested positive for AIDS.
Malone has four children from his marriage and three children with another woman. He owns a deer range in Louisiana and he's a card-carrying member of the National Rifle Association and the Republican Party. After retirement, Malone dabbled in wrestling and acting. His son, Karl Jr., is a talented 6 foot 4 inch, 284 lb. football tackle and nose guard who appears to be on his way to the NFL.
Member Comments