Malone will retire

[Spurminator]

Many congratulations to Karl Malone on his first of what will probably be several retirements. After stringing the press, Laker fans, Spurs fans and Heat fans along with daily indecision on whether or not you would be rejoining the league, you have finally come to this week's conclusion that you are closing the book on a long and... long career.

Your impact on the game was always clear... from your college days when you ended the career of Rice center Dave Ramer to the prime of your career where anyone who stood in your path (for instance Isiah Thomas and David Robinson) could expect to pay with a visit to the hospital. And we cannot forget the "Twilight Period" of your career (1999-2004) when you fought the injustices you faced under owner Larry H. Miller in Utah.

You may be retired for now, but your legacy remains. Every time a muscle-bound behemoth falls to the ground after being grazed by a point guard, we will think of you. Every time a defender is called for a foul for being kicked in the shins while guarding a jump shot, we will remember you. Every time a team stacked with four Hall of Famers fails to win a Championship, you will be in our minds.

I hope your retirement is fulfilling, whatever you decide to do - whether it be hunting, wrestling professionally, or hinting at a possible comeback. And may you have no trouble finding someone to carry you along in every venture, as you have for the last 20 years.

[timvp]

Many congratulations to Karl Malone on his first of what will probably be several retirements. After stringing the press, Laker fans, Spurs fans and Heat fans along with daily indecision on whether or not you would be rejoining the league, you have finally come to this week's conclusion that you are closing the book on a long and... long career.

Your impact on the game was always clear... from your college days when you ended the career of Rice center Dave Ramer to the prime of your career where anyone who stood in your path (for instance Isiah Thomas and David Robinson) could expect to pay with a visit to the hospital. And we cannot forget the "Twilight Period" of your career (1999-2004) when you fought the injustices you faced under owner Larry H. Miller in Utah.

You may be retired for now, but your legacy remains. Every time a muscle-bound behemoth falls to the ground after being grazed by a point guard, we will think of you. Every time a defender is called for a foul for being kicked in the shins while guarding a jump shot, we will remember you. Every time a team stacked with four Hall of Famers fails to win a Championship, you will be in our minds.

I hope your retirement is fulfilling, whatever you decide to do - whether it be hunting, wrestling professionally, or hinting at a possible comeback. And may you have no trouble finding someone to carry you along in every venture, as you have for the last 20 years.

Instant Classic.

[SLOVENIAN 8]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1989341

[NZHayden]

well its bout time old man made up his mind

[Jimcs50]

[Uncle Donnie]

This is the best news of the entire season. Malone. I'm sure he'll eventually change his mind again but he can find some other team to put up with the drama queen bull .

Pop ed up for even entertaining his at this stage of the game. Now we get to read headlines like "Malone spurns Spurs" and worry about whether this ing distraction has any affect on the rest of team.

Enjoy watching us win the le and wondering what could have been. Maybe Shaq will let you "kiss the rings", just make sure to wipe his man-seed off your mouth first.

[Chi-Ice44]

so what's next?

[duncan2k5]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! Now We Will Win It This Year!!!!!!!! You Cannot Deny The Curse Of Malone.

[Chi-Ice44]

so what's next?

[rr2418]

I for one would've liked to have Malone on the Spurs roster. He would've given them more depth and would've been a bruiser under the basket. You can say all you wnat about Malone and his elbows, but this guy wanted to win a ring real bad, so I think he would've done anything to make it happen.

[Spurs_rock05]

this guy wanted to win a ring real bad

yeah as a coattailer doin nothing

[rr2418]

yeah as a coattailer doin nothing

Yes I know it's hard to forget about the elbows and all the dirty stuff he did to "our" Spurs, but I think Malone still could've played 15-20 minutes a game and contribute. I'm looking at this from a basketball point of view.

[milkyway21]

Malone to retire in Utah as NBA's No. 2 all-time scorer

...AND AS ANOTHER NBA GREAT RETIRING W/ NO RING

...I was right it was ALL drama
SHaQ wld kill him if he join the Spurs

Malone is a great player, but I FEEL RELIEVED.At least he didn't sign w/ LAKERS, WOLVES OR HEAT.

Good luck

[Dre_7]

I just hope all the people who didnt want Malone arent ing if we lose in the Finals to Shaq/Zo MIA!

Personally, I still think we will win it all. Malone woulda been nice, but Im not complaining. Ive always said that wed win it alll either way. I woulda liked to have Malone, but we are still OK.

[milkyway21]

Reggie Miller One Of The Best Clutch-Time Player & 3-Pt Scorer Announced Retirement, Too.

Another Great Retires W/ No Ring

[mattyc]

Thank for that. Happy days.

Malone never wanted to be in San Antonio - for the fans, for the team or for the town.

All he wanted was to be here for himselfas we are the best option for a ring with 30-odd games left in the season to get an easy ring.

off Karla.

[TDMVPDPOY]

have we been chasing any other players during this time besides malone??

[Mijo]

I support the Spurs with Malone or without him but I can't quite figure out why some Spurs worry about Zo signing with the Heat. I'd be suprised if he could finish out the season.

[Mijo]

Man, can I kill a thread or what???