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.... 
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?