Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz is considered to be one of the best power forwards of all time. He is 6-9 and is strong as a bull. He is known for his powerful dunks and his ability to shoot the ball as well. He has won multiple awards and has the second highest career point total in history. There was some talk that he was going to try to break the record but he was unable to. Karl had a chance to win the NBA title against the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 playoffs. They were winning the 6th game of the series in a best of seven. However, Michael Jordan was able to steal the ball at the last minute and score the game winning 17 foot jump shot. To this day, this is of the most famous single moment pictures in NBA history.
Malone has at that point, labeled as a losing player. His inability to win when the stakes were high did little to help him. He did make a lot of money but traded for a chance to win an NBA title. He was making around 20 million dollars with the Jazz, and did average 20 points his last year with them. He would sign for very little with the Lakers, a team consisting of the big man Shaq and Kobe. The Lakers was an unstoppable force and was favored to win it again. Teaming up with Gary Payton, two old timers felt that their best chance was now.
While making money was important, it was not important as winning at the highest level possible. To Karl Malone, winning meant that Malone will be a true player, a winner at last. Malone contributed to the team nicely helping the Lakers in tight situations. However, they lost to the Detroit Pistons, an up and coming team at the time.
Malone will still be remembered as a great player and even though he did not win a title, people will know where he stands in the record books.
NBA fan
By Jonathan T Chin
Source: www.articledashboard.com
