Karl Malone Retires

[Shadarach]

I think of the dynamic duo Utah had, Stockton and Malone. Both of them can consider themselves unlucky to be peaking in Jordan's era and at the end of the Bad Boy's reign. Jordan broke the stifling defence of the Pistons and after that there was really no one to stop him and the Bulls from dominating.

Unlike Stockton, Malone had some kind of physical ability on the court whereas Stockton was just a sneaky little runt who didn't have the physical ability to go with most of his matchups, but more than made up for that deficiency with intelligence and cunning.

It's a shame to see the Mail Man go without a ring, but kudos to him for being loyal to the Jazz to at least have a shot. His last season with the Lakers I think wasn't really a serious tilt at a title. His only realistic shot was with the Jazz and he and Stockton were the heart of that team. They even inspired otherwise mediocre players to step up and make big play.