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“I Got to Answer the Mail”: While Looking Back at His Glorified Career, Emotional Karl Malone Reveals What He Is Most Proud Of

Published 03/04/2023, 12:30 PM EST

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Karl ‘The Mailman’ Malone is widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA players ever and for good reason. The Utah Jazz legend has multiple accolades and records to his name barring an NBA title. However, that doesn’t undermine his brilliant career spanning almost two decades. During a featured episode on Malone aired on ‘NBA TV’, the Hall of Famer looked back upon his career along with one of his fiercest rivals, Isiah Thomas.

They talked about their infamous incident in 1991 which forced Thomas to get 40 stitches. Moreover, an emotional Malone also reflected upon his career and revealed what motivated him to perform every game.

NBA legend Karl Malone reveals the reason why he performed every time

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14-time NBA All-Star Karl Malone was known as The Mailman for a reason. He delivered almost every time his team needed him in crunch situations. He had a long career in the league where he played till the age of 40. 

During a conversation with Isiah Thomas featured on NBA TV, he revealed the reason why he went out on the court and gave his 110% every time. Malone said, “What I feel, if it was that one kid or that one adult that took the time to get a ticket and see Karl Malone and John Stockton play, I got to answer the mail.”

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Malone took his team to three NBA finals but was unsuccessful in getting himself a ring. NBA legend Michael Jordan famously beat his team during the 1998 NBA finals to complete his second three peat.

How good was The Mailman?

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Malone joined the Utah Jazz as a rookie during the 1985-86 season and was already putting up All-Star numbers. The then 22-year-old averaged 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

via Getty

By his third year in the league, King Karl was already an All-Star. He has been selected as an All-Star on 14 occassions and won 2 NBA regular season MVPs. He retired with an average of 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists having played a whopping 1476 NBA games.

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What is your favorite memory of Karl Malone? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Written by:

Abhinava Ghosh

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Abhinava is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication. Abhinava has been following NBA for the past 6 years and is a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors and Stephen Curry.
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