Look out... the Mail man is angry!!
Fri Jan 30, 2004 5:19 pm
Malone furious about mock phone call during Jazz game
By DOUG ALDEN, AP Sports Writer
January 29, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz apologized Thursday for a mock phone call that made fun of Karl Malone and teammate Kobe Bryant during a timeout of the Lakers' game at Utah last week.
Malone, who did not attend the game last Saturday, was offended that the Jazz alluded to Bryant's sexual assault case in part of a joke.
``For them to put that out there about him, that's disrespectful,'' Malone said. ``I will never, ever forgive them for this. No class at all.''
Malone, who played 18 seasons with the Jazz, is on the injured list and did not return to Salt Lake City for his first game as an opponent.
During a stoppage, Jazz mascot ``Bear'' answered a fake call that was broadcast over the loudspeakers. The caller imitated Malone's voice and identified himself as ``Mail,'' saying he wanted to come ``home,'' L.A. fans were ``mean'' to him and the Lakers don't pass him the ball.
The call ended with the imitator saying, ``I guess it could be worse. I could be Ko...,'' stopping short of saying Kobe.
Bryant had spent the previous day in Colorado, where he's facing a trial on a sexual assault charge.
``That kind of stuff there is like pathetic. If an athlete would have did that, we'd have been talking about it for the rest of the year on SportsCenter,'' Malone said before the Lakers' home game against Seattle on Wednesday night.
Jazz spokesman Kim Turner said Malone's comments were the first negative feedback he has heard about the skit since the game.
``The Utah Jazz have extended an apology to the Los Angeles Lakers organization,'' Turner said, without elaborating.
Later in the game, Jazz owner Larry Miller was handed a cell phone for a second call from the fake Malone and was cheered when he promptly hung up.
Miller did not immediately return a message seeking comment Thursday.
Malone said he had no problem with the Jazz poking fun at him, but the Bryant reference was in poor taste.
The Lakers return to Utah on March 8, and it is uncertain whether Malone will be able to play. His right knee has been slow to heal, and now it looks as though Malone will not be able to return until mid-March at the earliest.
``I guarantee you, I'll have the last say on this. You can print that. That little skit they did, it'll cost them. I guarantee you,'' Malone said.
Damn, who would have thought the Jazz had a sense of humour! And Malone's so protective of Kobe. Is Kobe the new Johnny?
Just kiddin. Funny stuff.... 
Sat Jan 31, 2004 1:27 am
not really funny.
No Class, exactly what Malone said.
and pretty fuckin stupid, considering that Malone is the best player the Jazz ever had, and they go and mock his new team and teammate.
No Class, exactly what Malone said.
and pretty fuckin stupid, considering that Malone is the best player the Jazz ever had, and they go and mock his new team and teammate.
Sat Jan 31, 2004 1:59 am
I really like Malone for showing his support for Kobe this season after the past those 2 had. Much respect for him , I guess the Jazz organisation is a bit jelous (spelling)
, I guess the Jazz organisation is a bit jelous (spelling)
Sat Jan 31, 2004 2:51 am
It was a bad joke on part of the Jazz and it was only meant to stir up conflict between the Laker team and it was a wrong shot at Kobe given the gravity of his situation. It was almost like Martin's comments about Mourning but not as intense.
Sat Jan 31, 2004 3:22 am
The only thing wrong about the whole thing was the Kobe comment.
This isn't a new thing in the NBA...Robby summed it up well. Meant to increase rivalry, only thing wrong was the Kobe comment...
they go and mock his new team
This isn't a new thing in the NBA...Robby summed it up well.
Meant to increase rivalry, only thing wrong was the Kobe comment...
Sat Jan 31, 2004 6:36 am
If you want to increase a rivalry (not that the Jazz will be rivals for the Lakers anhyday soon), you really shouldnt bring in a players personal off-court issue, thats the only thing wrong.
btw, Jazz got fined http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1723147
I think thats kinda mocking a team
btw, Jazz got fined http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1723147
"Go tell Larry [Miller, the Jazz owner] I want to come home," the faux Malone said. "I don't care if Stock ain't there. I want to come home. They're mean to me here. They don't give me the ball. They don't like me."
I think thats kinda mocking a team
Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:52 am
I hear the WHOLE thing on SPortscenter and the guy did a pretty job at Imitating the Mailman...It was Disrepectful but it was funny when the fake Malone said...
I don't Like it Here! It don't Rain here! It don't Do Nothin'!
Sat Jan 31, 2004 10:32 am
Sat Jan 31, 2004 10:48 am
The last comments were totally uncalled for, bad move on the part of the Jazz.
Sat Jan 31, 2004 3:21 pm
Malone, who played 18 seasons with the Jazz, is on the injured list and did not return to Salt Lake City for his first game as a Utah opponent. He has vowed to be there for the Lakers' next visit March 8.
``I'll be there, and then you bring it on,'' Malone said. ``If I'm living, I'll be there. You have my word.''
That'll make for an interesting subplot. I'm surprised that the Jazz decided to go ahead with such a skit. Perhaps they feel betrayed over Malone's signing with the Lakers?
Sun Feb 01, 2004 5:09 pm
I think thats kinda mocking a team
So...a team's mascot and some guy saying this is mocking another team (and it is), thus it's bad...but an actual player on the Lakers can make fun of other teams and players in the media and nothing happens? That's ok, that's increasing the rivalry between the Kings and the Lakers, or Houston, or whoever?
The ONLY thing wrong with the skit was the Kobe comment...Kobe and Shaq's selfishness is in the news every year...whats' wrong with poking fun at that?