Karl Malone Made His Views Clear About Michael Jordan
Karl Malone, one of the greatest players in NBA history, reflected on his experiences facing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Despite being a legend for the Utah Jazz, Malone’s attempts to win an NBA title were thwarted by Jordan and the Bulls in two consecutive NBA Finals.
In a 2020 interview, Malone discussed his rivalry with Jordan:
Malone (via E60): “We were just playing the Chicago Bulls, not just Michael Jordan. I have the utmost respect for him, but in my mind, I wasn’t just facing Jordan. I was playing against the whole team.”
Drafted 13th overall in the 1985 NBA Draft, Malone spent the first 18 years of his career with the Jazz, finishing his playing days with the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the course of his career, he averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 51.6% from the field in 1,476 games.
In a 2020 article by Ballislife.com, it was noted: “28 YEARS AGO TODAY, Michael Jordan hit a game-winner over Bryon Russell in Game 1 of the 1997 Finals after MVP Karl Malone missed two crucial free throws. Scottie Pippen famously told Malone, ‘The mailman doesn’t deliver on Sundays’ before those misses.”
Malone, who was named the 1997 MVP, played an impressive 193 games in the NBA playoffs, though he never won a championship. He also made it to the Western Conference Finals six times.
In January 2022, NBA History noted that LeBron James joined Malone as the only two players to record a triple-double at age 40 or older.
Karl Malone retired after the 2003-04 season.
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