The Perpetual NBA Thread

**ILuvDetailing** · February 18th, 2005 06:27 PM

Interesting Article about Karl Malone by Charlie Rosen:

Going strictly by the numbers, Karl Malone appears to be the best power forward (and one of the best overall players) ever. But go ask your accountant just how misleading numbers can be.

Despite his robust career total of 36,928 points, and his points averaged per game (24.7), Malone routinely came up empty at crunch time (especially at the free throw line) in important ball games. Also, he was infamous around the league for making atrocious decisions whenever a game was on the line. This translated into bad shot selection — usually jumpers turning to his left — as well as trying to force pinpoint passes into heavy traffic.

Forget about the accolades currently being delivered by the NBA's coaches — even when Malone was in his prime, his inability to perform in prime time was universally acknowledged by them. For example, when Utah played Chicago in the championship series of 1997 and 1998, the Bulls disdained the idea of double-teaming Malone. The Bulls coaching staff believed there was no way that Malone could sufficiently dominate Dennis Rodman as to threaten Chicago's championship aspirations. Indeed, during the 12 games played (with the Bulls winning eight), Malone had only two break-out games that led the Jazz to victory (in Game 3 in 1997, wherein Malone scored 37, and Game 5 the following year, when he tallied 39). Coaches know that bona fide superstars are supposed to be heroes more often than one out of every six championship games.

In addition, Malone was consistently selfish even in the most unlikely circumstances: He was the only player on the original Dream Team (in the 1992 Olympics) who refused to buy into the team consciousness so earnestly promoted by the coaching staff. Several of his teammates privately complained that no matter what the score, Malone was only interested in filling up his own stat line.

On the other end of the court, several of the NBA's most veteran coaches laugh at Malone's being voted by their peers to three All-Defensive teams (1997-99). In his later years, Malone became adept at playing stolid straight-ahead defense in the pivot — but any kind of face-up, spin or duck-under moves would confound him. He was much too concerned with avoiding foul trouble (after all, how many points could he score from the bench?) to play adequate fundamental defense. His trick was to always go for the strip, a tactic that resulted in the ball being knocked out of bounds, or a steal, or (most often) Malone's opponent being given an easy shot. Except for his ability to push an opponent off the block, Malone's celebrated defensive prowess was more hype than reality.

While he justly received credit for being a good guy in the eye of the season-long media hurricane that assaulted the Lakers last year, Malone was deemed by his teammates in Utah to be a back-biting, inordinately self-protective presence in the locker room. And no one who ever played with Malone, and was aware of his numerous extra-curricular entertainments, was even slightly surprised by his alleged flirtatious manner with Vanessa Bryant.

Here are a pair of stories that reveal what kind of a guy Malone really is:

Malone was a member of a USA team that was playing Panama as part of the qualifying procedure for the 1992 Olympic Games. International protocol calls for the two competing teams to meet on-court prior to the game to exchange symbolic gifts. After the USA routed Panama by 60 points, Malone voiced his displeasure: "We gave them nice T-shirts and they only gave us tiny little pins." This, even though Malone's annual salary was three times Panama's GNP.

One day a few years back, Malone charged into the office of his agent, tore open his shirt to show his chest, and said, "Look at me. I've got a better physique than Michael Jordan. I'm more handsome than Michael Jordan. And I'm a better player than Michael Jordan. So why isn't my picture on a box of cereal?" Then he pounded his fist on his agent's desk and stormed off.

Okay, if Karl Malone wasn't the best at his position, then who was?

Here are some legitimate candidates: Dave DeBusschere (my personal favorite), Kevin McHale, Jerry Lucas, Bob Pettit, and Tim Duncan. In addition, the following centers also spent considerable time at power forward: Willis Reed, Wes Unseld, Nate Thurmond and Jack Sikma.

Karl Malone, with his bloated reputation, is 10th on my list.

**theveed** · February 18th, 2005 06:38 PM

In the NBA, numbers mean more than anything... Whether it's championship won or individual stats. I don't buy tickets or watch games on TV because of someone's supposed background/attitude/personality. If he can play, I'll watch... I can be looking at the next Gandhi of NBA but if can't play crap, who cares... I'm watching basketball, not national personality league.

My 2C.

(comment not directed to ILuvDetailing hehe, but to the writer)

**theveed** · February 18th, 2005 06:41 PM

Oh, read sa newspaper yesterday, Oliver (Pig) Miller or a former Clipper center (forgot his name darn, hehe) might sign with FedEx (Phil) ah.

**5Speed** · February 18th, 2005 06:45 PM

hehehe that's why he doesnt won any championship. A real superstar should carry his team during crunch time....he may or may not take the winning shot but he must be dominant, a key figure and the one orchestrating the final run....Jordan on his early years was as stuborn and as selfish as you can cursed...but during the course of his career, he found out that its not the way he can win a ring, he should do it with his team and not by him alone...remember the winning shot by Kerr in one of the finals game? He can force it if he wants to, just to be a hero of that game, but he knew it is off much good probability if he will pass it to somebody....a lot of good example of a true superstar that won a ring...there is Magic Johnson, Larry Bird.....etc...

**baiskee** · February 18th, 2005 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by theveed

Oh, read sa newspaper yesterday, Oliver (Pig) Miller or a former Clipper center (forgot his name darn, hehe) might sign with FedEx (Phil) ah.

PBA? or FedEx phils. front office? :D

**theveed** · February 18th, 2005 06:47 PM

FEDEX is PBA ba? Di ko alam coz I dont watch local ball... hehe di FEDEX office hehehe.

About the championship thing, dont forget, only one team can win in a year anyway.

**Altis6453** · February 18th, 2005 07:00 PM

Dami talaga magaling na PF. Here are my faves:

1. Kevin McHale - Pretty darn good in his time. Not really athletic but you should see his post moves. Talagang close to unstoppable.

2. Charles Barkley- Remember the tv ad? "If you don't get outta my way..." I think he was a hybrid PF and SF.

3. Dennis Rodman - The only player I know of who seems to like rebounding and defense more than scoring. He gets in your head (and nerves) too. Not too bright about his life outside the court, though.

4. Dave Cowens - Hall of Famer who played CF with Boston. He could out quick bigger opponents and power through smaller ones. Shot the ball pretty well too.

5. John Lucas - Played PF for the Lakers. Man, he was a tough, get in your face enforcer who could rebound and score.

**mantoy** · February 18th, 2005 07:15 PM

kevin mchale definitely is one of the best power forwards. yung ngang ibang mga 'fake' moves ni patrimonio sa pba eh influenced ni mchale.

then there's charles barkley. the great mound of rebound. a 6'5" power forward who can dominate a game! even rodman and malone could not stop him from muscling his way inside the paint.

duncan among the present crop. he is pure class. simple moves but very effective.