Karl Malone

Karl Malone (born July 24, 1963 in Bernice, Louisiana) is a former professional basketball player. He was nicknamed in college as the Mailman for his consistency ("a Mailman always delivers"), and was arguably the greatest power forward ever in the NBA.

Trivia

• In Salt Lake City the Stockton-to-Malone phrase is commemorated by a car dealership with the name Stockton to Malone Honda. The owner of the Jazz, Larry Miller, partnered with them to start this dealership. Some critics of Miller suggest that it was compensation for not being paid as much as other NBA superstars during their prime.
• Karl's 1985 draft day suit as well as that of Charles Barkley are continuously mocked on sports TV shows until today for their dreadful colors and designs.
• Has a feud with Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant which is rumored to have led to Malone's rejection of the Lakers after the 2004 finals and decision to retire. Bryant had come out with very critical words towards Malone alleging he made suggestive comments to Bryant's wife.
• Malone's daughter, Cheryl Ford, plays for the Detroit Shock in the WNBA, and was a key component of their WNBA Championship team in 2003.
• The first time Karl Malone got to Utah (in a highschool game) he thought it was a European country.
• Karl arrived in Salt Lake City to join the Jazz on July 24th 1985. July 24th is Pioneer Day in Utah, but it also happens to be Karl's birthday. The Jazz placed Karl in one of the vehicles in the Parade and the people cheered him as he passed by. Karl later professed that he thought all those people were out to celebrate his birthday.
• Karl was critical of the NBA's decision to allow Magic Johnson to play despite having tested positive for HIV, though it was at a time where information about the HIV virus was not well-known throughout the public.