Karl Malone is a legendary former NBA player who is known for his amazing skills and stunning athleticism. Standing at a towering height, he was a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.
Malone was born in Summerfield, Louisiana. He played college basketball at Louisiana Tech University. In his three seasons with the Bulldogs, Malone averaged 14. 9 points and 9. 3 rebounds per game. The Utah Jazz selected him in the first round of the 1985 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick.
But how tall is Karl Malone exactly?
So, how tall is Karl Malone exactly? According to most sources, he stands at 6'9" (2.06 m) tall, a height that made him one of the tallest players of his time. However, other sources claim that Malone's height was closer to 6'8" (2.03 m), which, while still impressive, is not quite as awe-inspiring.
Karl Malone is listed as 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall, but some sources suggest that his real height may be closer to 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters). His wingspan is reported to be around 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters).
Despite his towering height, Karl Malone was always known for his speed and agility on the court. He was able to move quickly and gracefully, despite his massive frame, and this was just one of the things that made him such a formidable opponent. His impressive wingspan of 7'4" (2.24 m) allowed him to block shots and grab rebounds with ease, while also enabling him to make incredible dunks and layups.
While Karl Malone's height may have given him an advantage on the court, it was his sheer talent and determination that made him one of the most beloved players in NBA history. He was a fierce competitor who always put his heart and soul into the game, and his dedication paid off in the form of countless accolades and awards. Over the course of his 19-year career, he amassed an impressive array of statistics and records, including two NBA MVP awards and 14 All-Star Game appearances.
Karl Malone Віоgrарhу аnd Еаrlу Lіfе
How old is Karl Malone? Маllоnе wаѕ bоrn оn 24 Аuguѕt 1963 іn Ѕlаtеr, Mіѕѕіѕѕіррі. Не іѕ thе ѕоn оf Маіlіѕѕа аnd Јое Маllоnе. Тhе соuрlе hаѕ ѕеvеrаl оthеr сhіldrеn, аll ѕоnѕ, nаmеlу: Саrlvеl аnd Саrrіе. Не hаѕ fоur grаnd сhіldrеn. Karl Malone height: At 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), Malone was the tallest player in the NBA during his playing years.
Ніѕ ѕіѕtеrѕ аrе Јаѕmіnе аnd Аlіѕѕа.Маllоnе grеw uр оn a farm located in Summerfield, Louisiana. He was a very athletic child. As a youngster, he participated in track and field and later developed a liking for football and basketball. He attended Summerfield High School, where he was a star player in both sports.
Аftеr grаduаtіng frоm hіgh ѕсhооl, Маllоnе еntеrеd Јuѕtісе Соllеgе іn Јасkѕоn, Міѕѕіѕѕіррі. Аftеr а уеаr оf ѕtudуіng аѕѕосіаtе ѕсіеnсе, Маllоnе trаnѕfеrrеd tо Lоuіѕіаnа Тесhnісаl Соllеgе іn Ріnеvіllе, Lоuіѕіаnа. Не ѕtudіеd еlесtrісаl еngіnееrіng аt thе соllеgе.
Маllоnе'ѕ саrееr оf рlауіng bаѕkеtbаll bеgаn іn соllеgе. Не іѕ thе lеаdіng ѕсоrеr іn thе hіѕtоrу оf Lоuіѕіаnа Тесhnісаl Соllеgе. Аftеr а уеаr оf ѕtudуіng еlесtrісаl еngіnееrіng, Маllоnе bаd tо hеlр hіѕ fаmіlу in thеіr fаrmіng buѕіnеѕѕ. Не аѕѕіѕtеd hіѕ fаthеr іn thе buѕіnеѕѕ fоr а whіlе. Аftеr thаt, hе rеѕumеd ѕtudіеѕ аgаіn аt Lоuіѕіаnа Тесhnісаl Соllеgе.
Malone graduated from Louisiana Technical College with a degree in electrical engineering. After college, he worked briefly as an engineer but soon returned to basketball.
Маlоnе wаѕ ѕеlесtеd bу thе Utrаѕ оf thе Аѕѕосіаtеd Ваѕkеtbаll Сіtіеѕ іn thе third rоund оf thе 1986 NВА draft. Не јоіnеd thе Utrаѕ fоr thе 1986-87 ѕеаѕоn. Не ѕсоrеd 14.6 роіntѕ реr gаmе аnd rеbоunԁеd 8.7 rеbоunԁѕ реr gаmеs іn thаt ѕеаѕоn.
Аwаrdѕ & Асhіеvеmеntѕ
Не wаѕ раrt оf thе 1984 UЅA Ваѕkеtbаll Теаm thаt wоn thе Воldеr. Не wаѕ nаmеd thе Wеѕt Соаѕt Соnfеrеnсе Рlауеr оf thе Yеаr. Не wаѕ nаmе аѕ thе МВА Рlауеrѕ Аѕѕосіаtіоn (МВАРА) Рlауеr оf thе Yеаr twо tіmеѕ. Не wаѕ іnduсtеd іntо thе Ваѕkеtbаll Наll оf Fаmе.
Career
Karl Malone began his basketball career at Summerfield High School, earning All-American honors. He led the school to the Louisiana state championship as a senior. He then played at Louisiana Tech University, where he played under head coach Scotty Robertson.
He was part of the 1984 USA Basketball team that won the Gold. In the 1984-85 season, he was named the West Coast Conference player of the year. The Utah Jazz selected him in the 1985 NBA draft. He played with the Jazz for 18 years.
He teamed up with John Stockton to form one of the most formidable duos in NBA history. He was named to the All-Star team 14 times. He was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice. During the 1996-97 season, he averaged 27.4 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per game.
He won 2 Olympic Gold medals with the USA Basketball team. He played for the USA Basketball team in the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
In 2003, he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He played with the Lakers for one year. In 2004, he signed with the Jazz. He played as a backup to Deron Williams. He retired in 2005 with 36,374 career points. He was the second leading scorer in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2011, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.
Karl's Personal Life
Karl Malone is married to Kay Kinsey. The couple has four children together. He has a son named Demetress Bell from a previous relationship. He has a son named K.J. Malone from a previous relationship. He has a son named Karl Malone Jr. from a previous relationship. He has a son named Larry Joe from a previous relationship.
He has a son named Darrien Williams from a previous relationship. He has a son named Daryll Taylor from a previous relationship. He has a son named Shawn Bradley from a previous relationship. He has a son named Cameron Taylor from a previous relationship.
His daughter Cheryl Ford was a WNBA star. His son K.J. Malone is a member of the LSU Tigers men's basketball team.
Karl Malone Net Worth & Salary
Karl Malone's net worth is estimated to be $75 million as of 2022. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a professional basketball player.
As of 2021, Karl Malone has an annual salary of $4 million. His salary is determined by his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Karl Malone's net worth has seen a hike of 18% over the past few years. He is one of the richest basketball players in the world. Karl Malone is currently signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Presence on social media
Twitter: 73.6k +followers
Timeline
2018
Malone stated in 2018 about his relationship with his elder children, "I didn't manage it well; I was incorrect... Father Time is the greatest thief in the world, and you can never get it back."
2013
The Jazz dominated the next season. Malone averaged 27 points per game and was almost defeated by Jordan for his second MVP title. Despite this, the Jazz finished with the best record in the NBA, going 62-20. The Jazz was again at the top of the Western Conference, and they swept the Rockets, Spurs, and Lakers in the 1998 playoffs on their second consecutive Finals trip.
The Jazz won Game 1 of their rematch with the Chicago Bulls, 88-85, thanks to Malone's 21 points. Malone struggled to put up consistently high numbers, owing in large part to the swarming defense of Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen.
Malone led the Jazz in scoring in Game 5 of the 1998 NBA Finals, scoring 39 points as the Jazz defeated the Bulls 83-81 in Chicago. Malone scored 39 points on 17-of-27 shooting while grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and turning the ball over once. His shots were mostly "mid-range turnaround jumpers from the left side."
A sixth game of the Finals was played in the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, and the team was one loss away from losing the series after trailing 3-2. Malone had 31 points and 11 rebounds.
Although the Jazz led by 49 points at halftime and 66 points after three quarters, they blew their lead in the fourth quarter and lost when Malone missed a ball in the post. With 18.9 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the Jazz leading 86-85, Bulls guard/forward Michael Jordan stole the ball just given to Malone and hit a jump jumper with 5.2 seconds remaining to give the Bulls an 87-86 lead.
A game-winning jump jumper by John Stockton was missed. Jordan's shot has been termed the "best shot" of his career, and the Bulls' 1998 win was their third in a row and sixth since 1991.
Malone returned to the NBA for one more season, joining the Los Angeles Lakers in their quest for a title. All-Star point guard Gary Payton also joined the Lakers in a quest to win his first NBA championship. The Lakers were considered favorites to win the championship with Malone, Payton, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant. The Lakers started the season 18-3, but Malone sustained a knee injury against the Phoenix Suns on December 21, forcing him to miss 39 games.
Malone returned after the season, as the Lakers reached the playoffs with 56 victories and the number two seed. Malone scored in double figures in four games in the first round against the Houston Rockets, including a 30-point, 13-rebound performance in the Lakers' game 4 triumphs.
The Lakers went to the conference semifinals, where they faced the San Antonio Spurs, where Malone played a key defensive role against Tim Duncan while not scoring more than 13 points during the series. In the conference semifinals, the Lakers defeated the Spurs in six games before defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games in the conference finals to route to the NBA Finals. He had two 17-point games against Minnesota and averaged 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
Malone was designated an honorary member of the Oregon National Guard after the United States national team defeated Venezuela 127-80 in the gold-medal game of the 1992 Olympic qualifying tournament.
Malone rejoined the Utah Jazz as a big man coach on May 29, 2013.
2010
In addition, he owns two vehicle dealerships in Utah and one in Louisiana. Karl Malone Toyota is located in Draper, Utah, a Salt Lake City suburb, and Karl Malone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is in Heber City, Utah. Malone formerly co-owned a Toyota dealership with Larry H. Miller Dealerships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but sold his stake in 2010.
He also co-owned a Honda dealership with John Stockton in Sandy, Utah, but sold his stake to Larry H. Miller's Dealerships in 2010. In 2019, he purchased a Toyota dealership in Ruston, Louisiana, known as Karl Malone Toyota.
2008
Bell has appeared in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys. According to The Buffalo News, Bell's first and only contact with Malone occurred shortly after Bell graduated from high school. Malone informed Bell that it was "too late" for them to develop a father-son connection. However, they mended their relationship in 2014 and frequently communicated by 2018.
2007
On May 31, 2007, Malone was named director of basketball promotion and assistant strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana Tech University, and he gave $350,000 to the university's athletic department.
2006
Malone's jersey number 32 was retired by the Utah Jazz on March 23, 2006, when the Jazz visited the Washington Wizards. In addition, he was honored with unveiling a bronze monument outside the EnergySolutions Arena next to teammate John Stockton, as well as renaming a section of 100 South in Salt Lake City in his honor. The sculptures' original position is at the crossroads of Stockton and Malone.
2005
Malone announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons at a news conference on February 13, 2005, at the Delta Center.
2004
Malone's quest for an NBA title ended when the Lakers were beaten in five games by the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. Malone hurt his right knee in game three and was sidelined in games three and four before missing the series finale.
Malone became a free agent following his season with the Lakers. Malone underwent knee surgery in the summer of 2004, and personal issues with Lakers guard Kobe Bryant led to his decision not to return for another season. The New York Knicks attempted to sign Malone for the 2004-05 season.
Malone's agent predicted in early February 2005, before the 2005 NBA All-Star Game, that Malone will sign with the San Antonio Spurs. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich revealed his team's interest in signing Malone if he decides to return for another season.
Malone contributed $4,000 to President George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign and $2,000 to Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. Malone contributed $1,000 to the campaign of incumbent U.S.
Jim Matheson is a Democrat who represents Utah's 2nd congressional district. In March 2009, Malone was featured on the Fox News talk show Hannity's "Great American Panel." He fought for assistance for Louisiana farmers who were set to lose employment owing to the closure of Pilgrim's Pride factories.
1998
During the 1998-99 lockout, Malone claimed on his Los Angeles-based radio show on November 12, 1998, that he would seek a trade from the Jazz when the impasse ended, citing a lack of respect from club owner Larry H. Miller and the Utah media, which he termed "goons."
A week later, Malone backtracked on his trade requests, saying in an interview that "all else being equal," he would still like to play for the Jazz. The NBA regular season started in February, and Malone earned his second MVP title, leading the Jazz to a 37-13 record in 50 games.
They were eliminated in the second round by the Trail Blazers that year, and the Jazz was out of title contention for the next several years. Malone scored 23 points in the Jazz's 88-71 victory against the Blazers in Game 5 of the second round in 1999. Malone elbowed Blazers' Brian Grant in the game, something he previously did in Game 1 and was fined $10,000 for.
Despite his team's downturn and age, Malone averaged 25.5, 23.2, 22.4, and 20.6 points per game in his final four seasons with Utah. With 36,374 points in the 2002-2003 season, Malone surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for second place on the all-time scoring chart. In 2003, the year Stockton retired, he became a free agent.
During their time together, Malone and Jazz point guard John Stockton produced one of the most prolific guard-forward combos in NBA history (1984-2003). The Jazz consistently made the playoffs with a winning record while playing coach Jerry Sloan's gritty and physical style and developing the pick and roll to optimum effectiveness. Except 1992-93, Malone guided the Jazz to multiple 50-win seasons (47–35).
Malone was named as a defendant in paternity litigation filed immediately after he began his professional basketball career in the late 1980s, according to the tabloid daily The Globe in 1998. According to the newspaper, he had three children: two with Bonita Ford, a lady his age from his birthplace of Summerfield, Louisiana, and one with Gloria Bell, who was 13 when she gave birth.
Malone and Ford were all 17 years old when twins Daryl and Cheryl Ford were born; Malone was a 20-year-old college student when Bell gave birth to Demetress Bell at 13. Following the Globe report, Malone met the Ford twins for the first time since they visited the hospital shortly after their birth.
Malone did not meet with Bell at the time, and his counsel maintained that Malone had settled the litigation before any conclusive paternity determination and did not know whether he was indeed the father of any of the children.
By the autumn of 1998, Malone had admitted to being the father of the Ford twins, and Kay Malone had publicly stated that the twins were members of the Malone family. Karl Malone has kept in touch with the twins, who played collegiate basketball at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech. Cheryl Ford went on to play professional basketball with the Women's National Basketball Association's Detroit Shock.
Malone enjoys hunting and fishing. He owns a summer residence in Alaska along the Kenai River. Malone traveled to Alaska with Jazz colleagues Chris Morris and Bryon Russell, family members, Q-Lube company executives, and winners of the Q-Lube sweepstakes in July 1998.
Following the 1998 NBA Finals, Malone and Chicago Bull's power forward Dennis Rodman competed in a professional wrestling bout in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in July 1998 at their Bash at the Beach event. Malone, a wrestling enthusiast, joined with a friend, Diamond Dallas Page, to take on Rodman and Hulk Hogan.
For 23 minutes, the two power forwards traded "rudimentary headlocks, slams, and clotheslines," according to some wrestling experts. Rodman and Hogan defeated Malone and DDP. The event was a huge financial success for the corporation, bringing in the highest pay-per-view buy rate in 1998 and one of the largest in the company's history.
1996
Malone's contract with Jazz was extended on January 13, 1996. During this time, the Jazz only advanced to the Western Conference Finals three times, losing to the Portland Trail Blazers in 1992, the Houston Rockets in 1994, and the Seattle SuperSonics in 1996. (1996).
Malone returned from earning a gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics to lead the Jazz to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances. During the 1996-97 season, Malone averaged 27.4 points per game while guiding the Jazz to a 64-18 record, the highest in franchise history.
Malone won his first NBA Most Valuable Player award, and the Jazz became the Western Conference's best team and postseason champions. The Jazz faced the Houston Rockets, led by the aging three of Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and Clyde Drexler, after sweeping the Los Angeles Clippers and beating the Los Angeles Lakers. The Jazz defeated them in six games (the last victory coming on a last-second shot by Stockton).
Malone made it to the NBA Finals in 1997, when they faced the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. The Bulls won the first two games at the United Center in a showdown between the two former MVPs. Malone struggled from the field in Game 2, going 6 of 20 for 20 points.
The Jazz won the following two games at the Delta Center, thanks to Malone's 37 points in Game 3 and 23 points in Game 4, including a game-winning fastbreak layup off a brilliant pass from Stockton in the last minute. The Bulls went on to win the following two games and the series, despite Malone's struggles at the foul line in Game 6.
1995
The Utah Jazz won 60 games for the first time in their history in 1994-95. Furthermore, the club won 15 straight road games (the best such streak by the team, then the second-best streak in the league). Malone's 26.7 points per game were fourth in the NBA, and on January 20, 1995, he became the 19th NBA player to achieve 20,000 career points.
The Jazz was eliminated in the first round of the 1995 playoffs for the second year in a row by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets won the NBA title for the second time in three years.
1994
Malone was the youngest of nine children born in Summerfield, Louisiana, and spent his youth on a farm with his single mother, Shirley. Shedrick Hay was raising a family with another lady he married when he killed suicide when Karl Malone was three years old; Malone first revealed this tragedy in 1994. Malone worked on the farm as a youngster, cutting trees, hunting, and fishing.
From 1979 until his senior year in 1981, he led his Summerfield High School basketball team to three straight Louisiana Class C championships.
Malone started all 82 games for the Jazz in 1993-94, helping them reach the Western Conference Finals for the second time in team history and his career. Malone led the Jazz in scoring (25.2), rebounding (11.5), and blocked shots (126), made 49.7% of field goal attempts and played 3,329 minutes, which was second in the league that season behind Latrell Sprewell's 3,533.
Malone had 23 rebounds on March 29, 1994, but the Jazz fell 116-113 against the Golden State Warriors. On the other hand, Malone scored only 8 of 29 field goals that night and stated post-game: "My rebounds aren't going to make the news tomorrow... Tomorrow's headline will be about all the easy shots I missed." In five games, the eventual NBA champion Houston Rockets knocked the Jazz from the Western Conference Finals.
Although Malone and Stockton each scored 32 points in the Jazz's 104-99 Game 2 defeat, they were no match for the Rockets' high-scoring big Hakeem Olajuwon. Midway through the fourth quarter, Malone and Olajuwon scored on four consecutive possessions for their respective teams, resulting in a 93-93 tie.
Malone played a member of Porter Rockwell's crew in the 1994 film Rockwell. In 2004, he appeared as himself and the superhero "Pulverizer" in an episode of the animated program Static Shock. Malone also appeared as himself in the 2004 comedy film Soul Plane. He also had a regular part on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in a comedy called "All Alone with Karl Malone."
1993
Malone put up impressive numbers throughout the 1990s, averaging 27.0 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in 1992-93, 25.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 1993-94, 26.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in 1994-95, and 25.7 points and 9.8 rebounds in 1995-96. Following the 1992 Summer Olympics, in which Malone helped the American national team, dubbed the "Dream Team," win a gold medal, Malone voiced his displeasure with Magic Johnson. The latter had recently tested positive for HIV and resigned from the NBA in 1991 before making a comeback.
Malone's viewpoint differed from his Olympic and Los Angeles Laker colleagues, and the NBA instituted AIDS-related safeguards following Johnson's admission. Malone reached 16,000 career points on February 4, 1993, against the Lakers. In 1993, he and teammate John Stockton split the All-Star MVP trophy. Malone had 28 points and ten rebounds in the West's 135-132 overtime victory.
1992
Malone competed in the Summer Olympics in 1992 and 1996, winning gold medals with the US team in both years. Malone averaged 8.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game at the 1996 Olympics, making 56.9% of two-point field goal tries and 52.9% free throw attempts. Along with the remainder of the original Dream Team, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
1991
Malone led the Jazz in scoring for 19 straight games from January 19 to March 4, 1991; after opening the 1990-91 season 7-8, the club went 21-9 in January and February 1991. Malone averaged 29.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per regular season game, scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, his fourth consecutive All-Star selection for the West.
He was one of four Jazz players with double-digit scoring averages, along with freshly acquired Jeff Malone (no related), John Stockton, and Thurl Bailey. The Jazz defeated the Phoenix Suns in four games in the first round of the 1991 playoffs before falling to the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round. Malone was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third time.
Malone ended the 1991-92 season second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.0 points per game, just as he did in 1989-90. He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth year in a row. It was also a breakout season for the Jazz, as they reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history during the 1992 NBA Playoffs. Malone scored 40 points or more in five games this season.
Malone was arrested for a blatant foul despite his continuous success and achievements. Malone elbowed the Pistons' Isiah Thomas on the forehead on December 14, 1991, during a game between the Jazz and the Pistons. The NBA banned Malone for the following game without pay and penalized him $10,000 after Thomas required 40 stitches above his eye.
In their first-ever Western Conference Finals trip, the Jazz was defeated in six games by the Portland Trail Blazers for the second consecutive season. In the 1992 playoffs, Malone averaged 29.1 points on 52.1% shooting and 11.9 rebounds.
1990
On December 24, 1990, Malone married Kay Kinsey, the 1988 Miss Idaho USA pageant winner. They have four children: Kadee (born November 8, 1991), Kylee (born April 7, 1993), Karl, Jr. "K.J." (born May 8, 1995), and Karlee (born May 8, 1995). (born 1998). K.J. attended LSU and was invited to the 2018 NFL Combine.
1989
During the 1989-90 season, Malone upped his scoring to 31 points per game and rebounding to 11.1 per game, earning him a spot on the All-NBA First Team. Malone had 40 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists in a 122-113 win over the Denver Nuggets in the season opener.
Malone scored 21 points and collected 19 rebounds in a 94-80 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 5, 1989. Malone had 52 points and 17 rebounds in a 114-100 away win over the Charlotte Hornets seventeen days later. Malone scored 61 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27, 1990. He made 19 of 23 free throws and 21 of 26 field goals. It was the most points scored by a Jazz player since the franchise relocated from New Orleans to Utah.
Malone was selected to the NBA All-Star Game for the third straight season, but he missed out due to an ankle ailment. Malone led the club in scoring in 24 of the last 26 games, including 49 points against the Golden State Warriors on March 29, 1990, and 45 points against the Lakers on April 12, 1990.
The Jazz finished the season 55-27 and fell to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs in five games, with Malone averaging 25.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. Malone finished second in the NBA in points per game for the second consecutive season, trailing Michael Jordan.
1988
During the 1988 offseason, Malone agreed to a 10-year, $18 million contract. Jerry Sloan took over as head coach in December 1988, when Layden was named club president. In 1988-89, Malone averaged 29.1 points, enough for second in the NBA behind Michael Jordan, and 10.7 rebounds, good for sixth in the league.
This was Malone's greatest scoring average of his career. Malone concluded the 1989 NBA All-Star Game with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists, earning him his first NBA All-Star MVP award. The Jazz ended 51-31 but was swept in three games by the Golden State Warriors in the first round. Malone's first All-NBA First Team selection came this season.
1987
By the 1987-88 season, Malone was the offense's basis, while John Stockton was the floor general. Malone earned his first All-Star Game appearance in 1988, averaging 27.1 points per game, and was named to his first All-NBA team at the end of the season. Malone made his first of 14 consecutive All-Star appearances. Malone led the Western Conference All-Star squad with 22 points in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game.
The Jazz finished third in the Midwest Division with a 47-35 and beat the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, backed by perennial All-Stars Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, upset the Jazz in seven games in the following round.
Malone recorded 31 points and 15 rebounds in the seventh game of the series, but the Lakers defeated the Jazz 109-98 to win the 1988 NBA Finals. Malone averaged 29.7 points and 11.8 rebounds in 11 playoff games in 1988.
1986
The Utah Jazz picked Karl Malone with the 13th overall choice in the 1985 NBA draft. "If professional scouts had accurately anticipated the influence Karl Malone would have on the NBA, Malone would have been taken considerably higher than 13th in the 1985 NBA Draft," according to Malone's official NBA biography.
Malone was so certain that the Dallas Mavericks would choose him with the eighth pick that he had already booked an apartment in Dallas. Instead, Detlef Schrempf was chosen by the Mavericks. Malone averaged 14.9 points and 8.9 rebounds in his first season under head coach Frank Layden and was named to the 1986 NBA All-Rookie Team after finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.
The Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets 105-102 on January 14, 1986, snapping the Rockets' 20-game home winning streak. Malone scored 29 points in the game, including four free throws followed by Pace Mannion's three-pointer to come from a 96-89 hole to a 96-96 tie with 5 minutes and 36 seconds remaining. The Jazz made the playoffs for the third straight season but was eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks.
Malone raised his scoring average to 20 points per game in the four postseason games, although he was still below average in shooting (49.6% field goals) and rebounds (8.9). After his second season, Malone became the Jazz's leader in average scoring (21.7 points) and rebounding (10.4 rebounds); he led the team in scoring in 24 of 29 games between February 1 and April 3, 1987.
1984
Malone attended Louisiana Tech University during his collegiate basketball career. During his three seasons with Louisiana Tech, he led the Bulldogs to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1984 and first place in the Southland Conference in 1985. Malone was selected 13th overall in the first round by the Utah Jazz in 1985.
Malone made the playoffs every season, including the NBA Finals with the Jazz in 1997 and 1998. He finished his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, with whom he reached his third NBA Finals in 2004. At the time of his retirement, Malone had the most career postseason defeats of any NBA player, with 95.
Malone also competed for the United States national team in the Summer Olympic Games in 1992 and 1996, winning gold medals in both years.
Malone joined the staff of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team in 2007 after retiring from the NBA. He was elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame twice in 2010: once for his career and once as a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team.
Malone and Stockton were both booted from the United States men's national basketball team in 1984 but returned in 1992 when national basketball teams began to accept NBA players. Before then, only professionals from leagues other than the NBA were permitted to compete, severely undermining the United States.
1983
Despite being pursued by University of Arkansas basketball coach Eddie Sutton, Malone chose to attend Louisiana Tech University since it was closer to home. Because his grades were too low for freshman eligibility, Malone joined the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs basketball team in his second year. He played under coach Andy Russo.
Malone averaged 18.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in his second season at Louisiana Tech (1983-84). Louisiana Tech finished 29-3, atop the Southland Conference, and progressed to the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, reaching the Sweet 16 round. Malone earned an All-Southland pick in his three seasons with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
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FAQs
What does Karl Malone make a living doing?
Karl Malone's wife, Kay Kinsey, works at Ruston's Teriyaki Grill. Karl owns various businesses and assets, and Kay Kinsey is also engaged in several more.
Apart from basketball, what are Karl's other interests?
Karl likes adventures, exploring new places, and hunting and fishing.
Does Karl Malone still own the Honda dealership?
Karl is not the current owner of the Honda business. He formerly co-owned the Honda dealership but sold his half to Larry H. Miller's Dealerships in 2010.
Karl Malone, what happened to him?
Malone suffered a knee injury against the Phoenix Suns on December 21, requiring him to miss 39 games.
Was Karl Malone featured in the most recent dance documentary?
Karl Malone was significantly absent from the documentary's final chapters. In contrast, Kael rejected the interview.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Karl Malone is known as one of the tallest and most impressive basketball players of all time, standing tall at 6'9" or 6'8". But, it is not just his height that made him great – it was his incredible talent, dedication, and passion for the game that truly set him apart. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest players in NBA history, an inspiration to generations of athletes to come.
Karl Malone is one of the best players in NBA history. He was a dominant force in the post and a great scorer. He also was a good rebounder and defender. Malone was a 14-time All-Star and a two-time MVP. He helped lead the Utah Jazz to two NBA Finals. Malone is the second leading scorer in NBA history. Follow Redsarmy to read more related articles. Thanks for reading!