In 1996, for the anniversary of the National Basketball Association, a list of the greatest players who made NBA history was created. Among the fifty people on this list who have made a great contribution to the history of basketball was the world famous basketball player Karl Malone.
Biography
Carl Anthony Malone was born in the southern United States (Summerfield Louisiana) on July 24, 1963, to a farmer's family. The family was large. The children were raised by one mother, since the father left the family. From early childhood, he had to work hard. Even then, Karl learned to hunt, fish, engage in agriculture. He grew up a strong boy and was very different from his peers in his physical strength and endurance. Despite his constant employment on the farm, he found time and loved to play basketball with the children. He believed that this sport was for guys like him - strong and tall. At school, Malone was always a member of the school basketball teams and was already a leader then. The school teams where he played often won prizes both in his city and in the state.
The beginning of a serious sports career
After leaving school, the young man remains in his city and enters the local university, where he immediately began to play in the university basketball team. Literally in the second year of study, he got into the team of conference stars. After this event, he decides to connect his life with sports and goes to the NBA. Karl was lucky, he immediately got into "Utah Jazz". This club has long been known as the strongest professional club that played in the Northwest Division of the NBA Western Conference. The first year, the young athlete mastered the team, showing very good results.
Most Valuable Player
After a few seasons, Malone, participating in the NBA All-Star Games, becomes the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Due to his physical strength, he always dominated under the shield. Karl receives the nickname "Postman", which is associated with this feature of the athlete's game. Malone proves to be an excellent team player. He plays well with his club colleague Stockton. Their pick-and-roll ("two") was considered the best for several years. Every year the basketball player's game becomes more and more effective. In the early nineties, he rightfully took his place on the NBA All-Star team, gaining up to 30 points per game.
The best of the best
Becoming one of the best and most famous basketball players in the NBA, Malone was elected to the team that showed the top basketball skills at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. Karl plays great and constantly shows the highest results. Proof of this is the next Olympics in 1996, where, playing for the US national team, he again becomes the Olympic champion. At 33, he doesn't even think about quitting sports. Having achieved such high results, he continues to work in his native team - Utah, helping to bring it to a new level of victories. Having lost speed with age, he gained incredible physical strength. As a player, Karl was valued for his stability. In each game, he gave out a high percentage of hits. His transfers to the same Stockon also ended up in the basket.
Huge merits
The stability and power of Karl's play has been recognized over the years. During his sports career, he received the title of the most valuable player of the National Basketball Association several times. Only one athlete - Michael Jordan could then compete with Malone, but he had no competitors. Karl was the strongest of the forwards. Proof of this is the fact that the athlete played for the First National Team of NBA Stars for 11 years.
Leaving big sports
At the beginning of the new century, the results of Malone's games began to fall. It was a small but noticeable decline. After playing 19 years at Utah, he decides to move to the Lakers. He does this in order to come to his dream - to become the NBA champion, which he did not succeed in doing in Utah. Unfortunately, the great athlete also failed to do this with the Lakers. By 2004, Karl had undergone several surgeries. He remained a free agent, but did not sign a contract with anyone. In 2005, he officially announced that he was ending his basketball career.
Legendary player
A great player who has given many years and efforts to the best basketball League in the world and to this day no one can overtake in the number of points scored (36928). In NBA history, he continues to rank second. The first on the list of snipers remains Karim Abdul-Jabbar. Malone is a legendary player. For his great sporting merits, the name of the famous basketball player is listed in the Basketball Hall of Fame, which is located in the homeland of basketball. And as a token of gratitude to the athlete, the club's administration installed his bronze statue. It stands not far from the arena where his favorite team, Utah Jazz, plays. In addition, the leadership of the team immortalized his number - "32".
Personal life
The personal life of the great basketball player is no less interesting. Since 1990, Karl Malone has been married to Kay Kinsley, who won the Miss Idaho beauty pageant in 1988. They have four children - 3 daughters and one son, who also goes in for sports - he is a football player. But Karl also has children who were born out of wedlock - these are twin girls and a son. Now the legendary athlete continues to lead an active lifestyle. He is an avid fisherman and hunter. He communicates a lot with former colleagues-basketball players. Lives with his family in Louisiana in Ruston.
