Print RSS Feeds E-News Sign Up

Off the Court with Karl Malone

Malone Malone

Karl Malone chatted live on utahjazz.com on Wednesday, April 10. For 17 seasons now, the Mailman has delivered punishing performances and historic milestones. One of the great power forwards of all-time and a mainstay of the Jazz for over a decade, the two-time MVP remains one of the most powerful players in the game and one of the biggest reasons the Jazz are in contention for NBA championship, averaging 22.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 38.2 minutes per game.

It has been a year of milestones for Malone, who, on March 19, played the 50,000 minute of his career and passed Elvin Hayes for second place all-time on the minutes played list. Passed Robert Parrish (10,117 defensive rebounds) to become the NBA's all-time leader in defensive rebounds against the Milwaukee Bucks on 11/17. Became the NBA's all-time leader in free throws attempted passing Wilt Chamberlain (11,862 free throws attempted) against the Mavericks on 12/10. Recorded the 1,300 game of his career against the Celtics on 12/21. Recorded the 12,000th free throw attempted of his career against the Nuggets on 1/14. Recorded the 34,000th point of his career against the Bulls on 1/30. and most recently he passed Wilt Chamberlain (12,681 field goals made) for second place all-time against the Cavaliers on 3/28.

Malone has participated in 13 All-Star Games during his career and was voted as a starter eight times. He is also a two-time Olympic Gold medal-winner as a member of the 1992 "Dream Team" in Barcelona and the 1996 U.S. team in Atlanta. Malone has only missed nine games in his NBA career, five due to injury and four due to league suspension.

Karl and his wife Kay are the parents of four children, Kadee, Kylee, Karlee and Karl Jr. and make their home in Salt Lake City.

See what Karl had to say!

gainesville: What are the chances that you will play another season in the NBA?

Karl Malone: I think it's a very good chance. Maybe next year and a couple after that. I don't think there's any doubt. I still have great basketball left in me, and I'll see what happens.

Leslie Ann: Malone, What do you plan to do after retirement?

Karl Malone: I have businesses all set up. I'm going to concentrate on my logging company in Arkansas. I've considered coaching and maybe even owning a franchise. Maybe some TV work. You never know.

Brian (Rochester, NY): I've been a Jazz fan since I was 7 and you had already been playing in the NBA for 4 years. I have been amazed at your level of play for 13 seasons now, What is the key to longevity in the NBA?

Karl Malone: I think one of the things is weight training. It's been huge for me. Desire has a lot to do with it. And going to work with guys you enjoy working with is huge.

Gekko: Hey Karl: What are your thoughts on the future power forwards of the NBA? Do you see any players who share similar characteristics with your classic game? Keep up the great work. You are awesome for the game of basketball. Gordan Gekko

Karl Malone: I don't think the power forwards have anything to worry about. And they're getting better and better. That position is pretty well represented.

Brian (Rochester, NY): You once said, "The paint is where men are made. If you can't play there, you should be home with your mama." With the influx of talented shooters, does this still apply in the NBA today as it did in the early 90's?

Karl Malone: I think the paint is the place to play but I think without an outside jumper with the new rules, you won't play very long. I adjusted my game and players will have to adjust theirs. You won't respect a player who can't hit a 15-footer.

Chris (Detroit): Karl, what in the world do you say before you shoot free throws? My friends and I think its the "Pledge of Allegiance."

Karl Malone: No, it's not the Pledge. I think of a lot of different things. And a lot of them have nothing to do with basketball. I just try to clear my mind of negative thoughts.

Al (Germany): Hey Mailmain, Which player(s) did you admire when growing up? Good luck in the playoffs!

Karl Malone: I admired Bird and Magic. Kareem and Dr. J. Elvin Hayes and Elgin Baylor. The list goes on and on. Those guys are old school.

Michael, Sacramento: Hey, Karl, who are your favorite young players in the league right now?

Karl Malone: I can't say that because I don't want them to know. I've got to play against them.

Jeffrey Wayne: Karl, I live in Phoenix, so there are not many Karl Malone fans here. (Simply because you have beat up on the Suns so many years.) I admire how you could care less what people think about you around the league. Is this a hard act you put on or do you practice it in your daily life too?

Karl Malone: The reason I'm like that is because this is what I do for a living. If we meet on the street, I'll respect you if you respect me. It's just my way. There's a few Karl Malone fans in Phoenix. Not a lot, but a few.

Mike (tucscon): I remember several years back somebody wanted to know how much you benched. Boone and Hot Rod asked you and you replied, "As much as I want." Is it still as much as you want or is it a set numer now?

Karl Malone: As much as I want. It's the same.

bearmongo: How has your monster truck, Power Forward, been doing? Have you driven competitively yet?

Karl Malone: I'm driving it this summer for the Karl Malone Foundation for kids on June 28-29. We made it to the finals.

jspears12: Has Andrei taught you any Russian?

Karl Malone: He's taught me "z**ko" -- what it means, you don't want to know.

Andrea (Sandy): Karl, do you see your daughter that plays for L. Tech eventually playing in the WNBA?

Karl Malone: I think that she has a great shot if she works hard and improve. My son's into logging, so he can run my logging company when he grows up.

Bryar : Hey Malone, how you doing? How are you feeling right now? Are you feeling healthy and is your knee bothering you still? Please say hello to Stockton for me. I hope it gets better and God bless you. Go Utah Jazz!!!

Karl Malone: Thanks. When you have an injury this late in the season, it's a nagging one and you play through. I don't know if you can keep your rhythm by taking the last week off. It's not 100%, but you just bear with it.

Lionel: What do you think of the evolution of your position? To me you're the definition of a TRUE Power Forward, but what's your take on guys like KG, Dirk, C-Webb, and others. Do you like their game or are they too soft?

Karl Malone: I don't think they're too soft. They just redefined the position. They might take it to a new level, who knows. Back when I joined the league, the position was just different.

Alan , Portland,OR: I'm a lonely Jazz fan in Trailbastard town. Since it looks like you'll be facing the Kings (unfortunately) in the first round, do you guys have any new ideas up your sleeves in how to play them??

Karl Malone: Hopefully, we just try to contain them. They're a great offensive team and play good defense. But in the playoffs, anything can happen.

Tarkan - Hartford, CT: Hey Karl, Why do you think there is such a big gap between teams in two conferences (E&W) although the salary cap rules apply to all teams equally. Thanks.

Karl Malone: I don't know. That's a great question. It's a big change. I don't know why, though.

Dallas: Karl, whats up? Do you want to retire a Jazz. And would consider another team to try to win a championship with?

Karl Malone: Well obviously I have one year left on my contract and it's up to the Jazz. I'm saying next year probably won't be my last, so we'll see over the summer what they do.

Scott, Sacramento: Mr. Malone I have been watching you play since the beginning and I just want to thank you AND Stockton for all the memories...Now besides Stockton who would you have most liked to have been your teammate?

Karl Malone: I'd probably say Shaquille O'Neal. Obviously.

Nico (Bielefeld Ger): Hello Karl, what do you think about the zone-defense after playing it the regular season? Is this the reason why your shooting percentage decreases? Do you have to shoot more midrange jumpers instead of working in the paint? Bye Karl and I believe in you.

Karl Malone: Yeah. The new rules are designed for you to shoot the outside jumper because they'll play a zone in the paint. I adjusted well, but not as much as I'd like to. It's something to work on this summer.

Josh (West Jordan): You have participated in 13 all star games..... are a two-time gold medalist and have two final appearances. Besides that ring that has elduded us ( thanks a whole lot MJ), what is your biggest achievement in your career? I heard your mom wasn't feeling well ... how is she doing?

Karl Malone: My mom is doing excellent. My mom's stayed with me for six months, almost the whole basketball season, and it's been great. Probably winning the state championships in Louisiana was my biggest.

Ramon (Danville, CA): In your illustrious NBA career, who do you consider as the best player who ever defended you?

Karl Malone: I don't know. There have been so many. I don't have one particular player.

Hoopa: Karl I admire your work ethic on the court and off the court. What keeps you motivated to work out all the time and how do you stay injury free?

Karl Malone: What keeps me motivated are all those haters out there. There are a lot of haters. Being injury-free is partially luck. But it's mental too. You have to draw energy from yourself. I've always believed in Karl Malone, even when everyone else hasn't.

Elias: Do you think anyone on your team will will grow to become an All-Star?

Karl Malone: I never thought about it. Some of the guys have potential but they have to work hard. I don't want to mention them by name because they might think they deserve it right now.

Ramon (Danville, CA): What do you think is your best contribution in the sport of basketball? Something that long after your career is over that you would want to be remembered for.

Karl Malone: I want to be remembered as a guy who came to play every night and never made excuses. Also, never prove your doubters right. And always speak your mind. And I want to say to Jazz fans and non-Jazz fans alike, thanks for chatting. This is Paul Harvey -- Good day! (laughs)