Jul 14

Jul 14 Karl Malone - He always delivers

The 10 Greatest Players In NBA History continues with Karl “The Mailman” Malone

In the NBA, there exists a prehistoric view of equating championships with greatness. While most of the greatest players in NBA history have also won at least one ring, there are countless others who are considered among the elite in NBA history and have NEVER lifted the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Karl “The Mailman” Malone is one such player, who never won a championship, but is widely known as one of the greatest Power-Forwards of all time. When the Utah Jazz (whom he played 18 seasons for) needed a basket, “The Mailman” delivered.

Here is why Karl Malone is one of The Greatest Players I n NBA History.

No Silver Spoons Here - The early life of Karl Malone

Standing at 6’ 9”, and weighing 250 lbs, Karl Malone’s size alone was intimidating enough. Malone also had the toughness to back up his physical style of basketball. So how did Malone become one of the NBA’s toughest, most menacing players to face? One glimpse into his life growing, and it will become crystal clear.

Karl Malone was the youngest of NINE children growing up. His father raised Malone and his siblings with another woman, and when Malone was only 3 years old, his father committed suicide. Malone only admitted to losing his dad in 1994. Karl spent his childhood farming, chopping wood, hunting, and fishing.

Chores and being active outdoors is how Malone developed his body, instead of the traditional weight-room that most athletes grew up using. How is growing up with that childhood, and STILL becoming a basketball legend, for toughness?

Arriving at Louisiana Tech as a teenager, Malone resembled a tight-end in American Football, more than a forward in basketball.

Malone averaged 18.7 PPG, and 9.3 RPG for the Bulldogs, and led the school, under Head Coach Andy Russo, to its first NCAA tournament, losing in the Sweet 16.

Ladies And Gentlemen, introducing “The Mailman”

In the summer of 1985, Karl Malone was unveiled officially an NBA player. Malone was selected 13th overall by the Utah Jazz, and it did not take long for the rest of the league to know what position Malone played.

Malone was a Power-Forward, and may very well have created the position with his physicality on the court. The surly at times Power Forward grabbed rebounds with his elbows out, and may God have mercy on any opponent in the vicinity of his massive arms while he was securing the basketball. Ask former Pistons’ great Isiah Thomas about Malone’s elbows.

Teamed with John Stockton during his 18 seasons in Utah, Karl Malone became one of the most prolific low-post scorers ever. Add to the domination down low, the “pick and roll” that Malone and Stockton made famous. One of the most fundamental offensive plays in basketball, the pick and roll was used by the Jazz to dissect opponents on a nightly basis.

Rebounds anyone? Karl Malone STILL has the record for the most defensive rebounds in NBA history, 14,968 rebounds to be exact.

Take a look at Karl Malone's NBA highlights.

Stats! Stats! More...Stats!

Karl Malone became only the 5th player in NBA history to score over 25,000 points and haul in over 10,000 rebounds.

“The only stat that has no relevance in this article, is the number of championships that Malone does not have.”

Besides being named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players, Karl Malone NEVER missed the playoffs in his entirety representing the Jazz. 18 seasons, leading Utah to 2 NBA Finals appearances in the process, only to lose to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls both times.

The Mailman delivered 25 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 3.6 APG. A friendly reminder of his size, imagine a 6’9”, 250lb man, throwing over the shoulder passes to cutting teammates. Malone was almost as accomplished a passer, particularly out of a double-team, and handed out over 5,000 dimes in his career, an unusual stat for a Power Forward.

Karl Malone’s career stats, at a glance:

2-time NBA MVP
14 NBA All-Star selections
2-time NBA All-Star MVP
11 All-NBA First Team selections
2-time All-NBA Second Team
19 seasons (Making the Playoffs in each season)

The Mailman - a Special Delivery

Men lie, women lie, numbers do NOT. Karl Malone is in the Basketball Hall Of Fame for many reasons. He revolutionized the Power-Forward position, delivering timely basket after basket, always seemingly when his team needed him to.

A bruising combination of finesse, and brute force, Malone used every inch of his frame, to establish a physical edge over his opponents. Unapologetic for most of the controversy he stirred up both on the court and off, not only was Karl Malone one of the NBA’s toughest players ever, but he was also one of The 10 Greatest Players In NBA History.