On July 16, Malone signed on with the Los Angeles Lakers in hopes of capturing the ultimate prize.

We asked Jazz fans whether they were still rooting for their team's former star, and the response was an overwhelming "YES!" Here are some of the comments from Jazz fans on Malone's pursuit of an NBA title with the Lakers:

Malone takes a shot during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images

Malone provided many highlights for Jazz fans through the years. Kent Horner/NBAE/Getty Images

Right Thing for Malone and the Jazz
“I am a long time Jazz fan and I think Karl did the right thing for himself and for the Jazz. The Jazz had a great year without him and he is also starting to help the Lakers like he did for so long with the Jazz....Good Luck Karl!!”
-- Mike (Sandy, Utah)

Always Played to Win
“Karl Malone played for the Jazz for almost 20 years and he played as hard as he could every night to win. I think he deserves a chance to win a ring.”
-- Jase (Ogden, Utah)

Gave More Than He Took
“I've been a Jazz fan for 7 years, ever since the '97 Finals. I loved watching Karl Malone play. He gave more back to the game than he took. Malone is undoubtedly the hardest working player in the league. His passion for the ring is second to none. Go get your ring Karl!!!”
-- Hugh (Salem, Ore.)

Hardest-Working Player in League History
“I am a die hard Utah Jazz fan, and every time I see Karl in a Lakers jersey, it makes me sick. I also have grown to hate the Lakers, however I am (irk) rooting for the Lakers, just so that I can see the Mailman get his ring. He is the hardest-working player in league history. So, as much as it pains me to say it, I am cheering for the Lakers to win it all, for Karl.”
-- Dusty (Twin Falls, Idaho)

Just Like Elvin Hayes
“It would be great to see Karl Malone win a NBA Championship. I'm reminded of Elvin Hayes, who was also a great player, but did not win a NBA Championship until later in his career with the Washington Bullets, which by the way, was against the Seattle Supersonics (Gary Payton's old team). It would be a shame to see a great scoring star such as Malone retire without winning the scoring title, nor a NBA Championship. If Malone had stayed with the Utah Jazz, he might have captured the all-time scoring title from Kareem Abdul Jabbar...he is really hungry for a NBA title.”
-- DuWaine (Window Rock, Ariz.)

Accomplished Just About Everything Else
“I grew up in Utah and have been a Jazz fan pretty much my whole life. As such, I've followed Karl Malone for pretty much his whole career. This year I still routed for the Jazz over Malone and the Lakers, but now I'm pulling for the Lakers and I hope that Malone will get his ring. Of course, I'd have much rather he got his ring with Stockton and the Jazz in '97 or '98 (in which case I think he'd still be playing for Utah this year), but I hope he gets it this year. He's a great player who has accomplished just about everything else that there is to be accomplished.”
-- Jonathan (Branson, Mo.)

Of course, not all Jazz fans are so willing to forgive and forget: "I wish Malone had just walked away from the NBA like Stockton did. The duo should've left together, I always thought the two couldn't survive without each other. Instead he jumps ship and arrives in LA to try to win a ring with his former enemies. In my mind he's become a Benedict Malone. In my bitterness, I hope his plans for a ring are foiled, but I'm not so sure it'll happen now." -- Andrew (Ogden, Utah) "I'm a Jazz fan. I won't root against Karl Malone, but I'll die before cheering for any Laker player." -- Frankie (Layton, Utah) "I'm a fervent Jazz fan, but I probably would have followed Malone anywhere except the Lakers. My hatred for the Lakers is much older and stronger than any other sentiment for any other NBA team. In some strange way, the fact that Malone may get his ring with the Lakers just makes me hate them worse. Reggie Miller stuck with his team all the way, rather than ditching them for a better shot somewhere else. GO PACERS!" -- Shar (Round Lake Beach, Ill.) "Karl Malone looked and played much better in a Jazz uniform then a laker. I've never been a laker fan so just for that sake I don't want to see Malone win it." -- Jay (Ephraim, Utah)

Unimaginable Just A Season Ago
“I have been a Jazz fan for years and loved Stockton and Malone. When John retired I thought it was all over and I would not even enjoy watching basketball anymore. However, my love affair with the greatest power forward of all time has endured. This, of course, led me to a conflict. For whom would I wish success should the Lakers and Jazz meet each other? Well, I still root for the Jazz and found a reason to be excited this season as they yet again defied the critics and had a winning record. Kirilenko is coming into his own and Jerry Sloan showed that he should have been coach of the year. I followed game-by-game down the stretch when they were fighting to continue their 20 year playoff streak. They ultimately came up short with an unlikely Denver win over Sacramento. And when L.A. and Utah faced each other during the regular season, I figured that no matter who won I would win. I could be happy for the Jazz or for Karl. But obviously the team that has the chance to win it all is the Lakers. I am now a Lakers fan, something that would have been unimaginable just a season or two ago... I think more people are seeing the great big heart that Karl Malone has now that they've seen his reaction to losing his mom and his sacrifice to be a part of the Lakers. He deserves the ring. It will be a touching moment for me when I see him finally as a champion.”
-- Ansel (Stockton, Calif.)

No More Boos
“I am a hardcore jazz fan. And I hate the Lakers. I hate them BUT Karl Malone deserves to win it. When the Lakers came into town I was so disappointed in the way the fans booed him. GO get it Mail Man.”
-- Pablo (Springville, Utah)

A Fitting Reward
“First, let me say that I am a die hard Jazz fan! Always have been, always will be. I'm not a fan of the Lakers, however, I honestly would like to see Malone and Payton finally win a ring. They have both worked hard for many years and, in my opinion, they deserve it. A fitting reward for two outstanding careers.”
-- Andy (Ogden, Utah)

That Ring He So Deserves
“Karl spent 19 glorious years in utah. Every year the jazz were in the playoffs going for the title. Jazz fans aren't bitter about malone leaving, instead we're rooting on our west coast rivals so Karl can get that ring he so deserves...”
-- Brian (St. George, Utah)

None Will be Prouder
“There is no player in the league that deserves a ring more than Karl Malone. The only other player that deserved a ring that never got one was John Stockton. I grew up watching Utah Jazz basketball & I have seen first hand the dominance Karl displayed on the court night after night. He changed the game at the power forward position & you would be hard pressed to find another player in that position now or in the future that will contribute as much. I am a Karl Malone fan!! I am a Utah Jazz fan!! I always have been and I always will be! I know that in a small way I will be part of the celebration when Karl picks up & kisses the trophy for the first time. I know that all Utah Jazz fans will share in that - but none will be prouder than me.”
-- Debbie (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Strength and Determination
“Karl Malone is the most under rated player in the league. His physical strength as well as his determination makes him a champion. He deserves it. Nobody's heart is bigger than Karl Malone. He played so hard in Utah, and now at the ripe old age of 40, he is still showing the world what he is made of. Solid determination and eagerness will guide him to his ultimate goal. The road to becoming a champion.”
-- Tom (San Bernardino, Calif.)

Go Karl!
“I've been an enormous Jazz-fan for a long time now. I loved watching John Stockton play. As time passed, I began to respect Karl Malone enormously, for his play, for his contribution in making John Stockton more of a legend than he would have been without him, and also for the friendship between the two that becomes apparent when they talk about each other (especially during the John Stockton farewell party at the Delta Center). Therefore, I feel Karl Malone more than deserves a championship ring and I'm definitely rooting for him!!! If you see how he has played throughout these playoffs, he's just an incredible smart guy with a feel for how to play basketball. There's just one thing left to say: GO KARL!!!”
-- Tom (Wellebroek, Belgium)

Cheering in Italy
“hallo, i'm an italian jazz-fan from Florence, i've spent my last 15 years in the name of players like hornacek, malone and stockton, admiring their performances and with the regret for 2 lost finals. i've got to say that i don't like lakers (almost as bulls..) and that it is always so strange to see karl yellow-dressed, but i think that for all he did in his career and for all he can still give to this game (that i love), nobody deserves the ring more than him. He is a great man and a great player and his number is 32! many regards and come on jazz!!!”
-- Fabio (Florence, Italy)

What A Work Ethic
“No one has stayed in better shape and put so much of themselves into the game then Karl Malone. He deserves a ring just for his work ethic.”
-- Joe (Hill AFB, Utah)

Best Thing He Could Get
“Is there anyone more deserving of a championship than Karl Malone? He has worked harder then anyone his whole career, but he will always be remembered as the man who didn't win a championship unless he gets one with the Lakers. He has accomplished so much in his career, he needs to end with the best thing he could get. A ring.”
-- Darin (Shelley, Idaho)

Get The Ring and Come Back
“I'm a JAZZ fan and was crushed when Karl left because I loved watching him play. He and John helped put Utah on the NBA map. He has accomplished so much during his career and I'm proud he did all of it while playing for the JAZZ. But, the ring has eluded him and I sincerely hope he gets it. I only wish it could have been here in Utah. After he gets his ring, I hope he comes back and retires from the JAZZ. Thanks Karl.”
-- Linda (Logan, Utah)

All the Luck in the World
“Karl Malone and John Stockton are the reason the Utah Jazz exist in the NBA. It was horrible to watch the Jazz come up short twice in the finals so I wish Karl all the luck in the world to get his ring. He deserves it.”
-- Travis (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Give Malone His Due
“The work ethic of Karl Malone is one of the greatest in professional sports. In 97 and 98 the Jazz were the only team to ever take the Jordan era Bulls to 6 games and were two points from game 7. No other teams really put forth much of a challenge. With all the accomplishments Malone has achieved it is not selfish of Karl to join the Lakers so that they might win the title this year. I think he deserves the ring more than any active player in basketball. Look at the defense Malone has played on Duncan and Garnett during the playoffs and tell me if you think the Lakers would reach the finals if Malone weren't doing the dirty work. I think it's finally time to give Karl his credit and possibly the recognition he deserves as the greatest power forward of all-time. If the Lakers win the title I think Malone will finally earn his due.”
-- Glade (Murray, Utah)

Actually Excited to Watch the Lakers
“First off... I've got to be one of the BIGGEST Jazz fans there is... but I'm an even bigger fan of Karl Malone. When he left and went to the Lakers I had mixed feelings... but now that he's so close to finally getting his ring... I'm actually excited to be watching Lakers games and excited to be watching Malone get that much closer to winning a title. GO MAILMAN!!!”
-- Boo (Salt Lake City, Utah)

Dedicated Team Player
“Big Jazz fan following Malone's career to the Lakers team and rooting on a fabulous athlete and dedicated team player. A joy to watch. Go for it Karl!”
-- Joanna (Kitchener, Canada)