the consistency of Karl Malone

[ezau]

They're doing it to piss off Mavs fans.

He was great, great work ethic, keeping his body in that kind of shape until 40 is unbelievable.

He'll never outlive his reputation for getting afraid in the playoffs though. Had a bit of a "hot potato" syndrome in key moments, even though compared to Garnett he is Mr. Clutch in that regard

I think between Noringski and Malone, the jumpshooting 7'0 German is the bigger choker. On the other hand, I would clearly pick a young Malone over a young Noringski if I were building a young team.

[ezau]

Duncan is no Wilt, Kareem, Hakeem, or Russell, but he and Shaq can duke it out for #6.

Kobe can settle for the 10th greatest-greatest-guard of-all-time spot.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Kobe can settle for the 10th greatest-greatest-guard of-all-time spot.

Which still at worst puts him as a top-25 player in NBA history. How terrible.

[The TroutBum]

Too bad he let 19 years go down the ter when he bolted Utah in order to have a 'bought' championship with Utah's biggest rival. Epic fail, ass . Malone will forever be a Laker to me, and therefore, an ass hole.

[ezau]

Which still at worst puts him as a top-25 player in NBA history. How terrible.

Nothing wrong with that. However, TD can gladly settle in the top 10 GOAT list. Kobe can only slobber while looking from the outside

[lefty]

It surprised me that Malone and Stockton failed so much in the playoffs. 19 years is a long time with no championship. , I think half their playoff appearances ended up in a first round exit.

They would have won a couple if it wasn't for your Bulls

[Booharv]

I agree, there's no way Duncan would have been able to dominate 6'5" honkies the way Bill Russell did.

Watching tape of Russell you can tell he was very athletic, its not really his fault he played in a weak era. That being said, according to Bill Simmons book, Tommy Heinsohn was smoking unfiltered cigarettes at half time and averaging 10 boards as a 6'6 unathletic PF back then.

[Chomag]

quite impressive how durable all the players were back then. it seemed like none of the big time players ever missed any games. a tribute to their work ethic?

I have been wondering this myself. Injuries used to be pretty rare and hardly a concern. Now a days your lucky to have any of your stars left. I honestly have no idea why though.

[Johnny RIngo]

I agree, there's no way Duncan would have been able to dominate 6'5" honkies the way Bill Russell did.

The most telling thing about Russel is his low FG%. Also, the fact that the average league FG percentage was much lower back then explains some of the freakish rebounding numbers that he and Wilt were putting up. Of course, he's a great defensive player but I can't imagine him being any better than a prime Rodman if he played in the modern NBA.

[DJB]

I agree, there's no way Duncan would have been able to dominate 6'5" honkies the way Bill Russell did.

[jag]

His below-the-waist slaps that he'd take at the ball drove me absolutely crazy.

And I have a hard time seeing how he's the greatest pf ever when he had 19 years to bring his city a championship and couldn't do it.

Will Bron be considered the greatest if he ends with no rings? No

[picc84]

Even at that old ass age, Malone still put in serious work on that Laker team. Talk about intangibles, he had them up the ass, in addition to still being able to ball. One of the smartest players i've ever gotten to watch on my team.

[picc84]

Don't know if anyone remembers the stint he did on TNT studios, but Malone was the best game analyst i've ever seen before. Incredibly smart insight and stuff no one would have thought of.

[angelbelow]

I have been wondering this myself. Injuries used to be pretty rare and hardly a concern. Now a days your lucky to have any of your stars left. I honestly have no idea why though.

well its either work ethic or steroids.