Malone to Retire

Achilles had his heel. Karl Malone has his knee.
One of the most indestructible men in basketball history, facing months of rehabilitation from knee surgery with vitually no chance of meeting his self-imposed mandate of "100 percent" health next season, has decided to end his 19-year NBA career, several league sources said Wednesday.
"He's totally at peace with his decision," one said.

http://166.70.44.66/2004/Jul/07012004/utah/180189.asp

It's about time. He is past his prime, and has been for the past 3 years. I'm surprised he held up this long. I loved Karl Malone, on the Jazz. When he became a Laker last year, he turned into a dirty player. I think, regardless of his last season, he is possibly the greatest PF of all time. I'll miss ya, MailMan.

Just don't forget the good ol' days with Stock, Russell, and Hornacek. Go ahead and forget about Ostertag, that dude was a dick. I still remember when after they lost in the playoffs, he punted the ball like 100 ft in the air. Ah, I miss that

He would of been better of just stayin wit the Jazz.They woulda been in the same position.I doubt he gets injured and he probably would of came back next year and possibly break the all time scorin record like he was meant to.Its messed up that he close to the record but his body wont hold up

Well Malone has had a great career...however it was spoiled by MJ 2 times and then by Billups, or Hmailton, or Prince or Wallace 2x

he should have stayed with the Jazz

He was going no where with the Jazz. His best chance was with the Lakers. Honestly, I'd love to see him play for his old team for one last season while trying to break the all-time points list. He's so close.

Hi everybody! It's been a while...


I wouldn't say Malone was washed up this season. He played a strong role with the Lakers, accepting to do all the things that guys half his age wouldn't. It wasn't a coincidence that the brightest stretches of the Laker season were produced with him on the floor.

I dare saying he was the most important player (not stats wise, of course ) in this team, for all the little things he was bringing in.

He rebounded, he defended, he dished, he was the oil that kept the machine running. Maybe the Lakers wouldn't have colapsed with a healthy Malone for the Finals...

He still has some gas left .

But that's just my opinion!

if he can, i'd like to see him comeback to the jazz for 1 final shot at the scoring title & end his career where he started.

I just heard that his agent said that he may not be retiring

lol, poor malone

he's good PF, not the best imho.

lots of debate. hehehe i aint starting

but yea, i kinda wanted him to win championship last year. but i hated that gary F()$!(@* payton, thats y i was so anti-lakers last year..

but only player i liked on that team was kobe.

if malone hadnt been injured he could probably still be a 20 and 8 player on a team where he is the first option. I don't think he's the greatest pf either, but he's up there.

its not yet official. malone may still come back as he said. he will play if he can recover from his injury before next season start.
and for me i hope he play on more year (Lakers or other team) and make a run for the scoring record.

It's not official!

Malone's agent is refusing to release a retirement report...wateva they are!

Unconfirmed as it may be, I wouldn't be too surprised if he did decide to retire when it's all said and done. It's a shame he couldn't get a ring, though I can't say I'm too disappointed that two of his chances were spoiled.

Malone recently had surgery...he will decide on his fate during the summer

Malone is finished.

Jackal's 100% right. It's over. You may not want it to be, and trust me, neither do I, but it's over. His best days are behind him.

He tried for a ring but it did not come out. I'm happy he did not get one this year because he had to leave and go to the 2nd best team for a chance to win one. He had a great career and he will certainly be remembered.

Jackal's 100% right. It's over. You may not want it to be, and trust me, neither do I, but it's over. His best days are behind him.

who knows?

Almost everyone that saw him play knows his best days are over.

What's the point in playing 2 games giving 10 and 5, being injured for 15 games, coming back for another 5 games, giving 10 and 5, sitting out the next 20 games due to another injury...?

Shaq is passed his prime, but he's able to play.

Malone is passed his prime + I don't see him being able to play for 65 to 70 games.

Theres always hope!

Ofcourse there is always hope, like Hill keeps hoping he can comeback.

Well, of course there's always hope, but for Malone to continue, it would just make things worse. After he left the Jazz for LA to win a ring, I knew that he wouldn't be as good as he used to be, and even at the Jazz, I saw him aging- 2002 offseason would've been the best chance for him, which is (if you're good at maths) 2 years ago.
He's past his prime for sure, and if he hadn't played for LA, he would've gone out with never been injured- just about. So although the Mailman is as good as he is- maybe one of the best ever- but he should hang up the boots- give the spot to a young kid, maybe B.Cook?

Macca

Cook's defense is pathetic. He's a got a good shooting touch, but that's pretty much about it.

Medvedenko (if he re-signs) is also not very defensive minded, but I'd rather have him start ahead of Cook.

Cook's defense is pathetic. He's a got a good shooting touch, but that's pretty much about it.

Medvedenko (if he re-signs) is also not very defensive minded, but I'd rather have him start ahead of Cook.

Good shooting touch?? What are you talking about? His shot is flat and ugly.