Karl Malone Had a “Man Crush” on LeBron James but Was Clearly Bitter With Arguable Goat Michael Jordan

Karl Malone is one of the best scorers in NBA history. Being in the top 3 of the list with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James around him proves how efficient he used to be on the court. The power forward really had a powerful impact.

Karl Malone made his debut for the Utah Jazz way back in 1985. Despite being the 15th overall pick from the Jazz, Karl Malone showed his worth by becoming the second most points scorer in the history of the game for years to come. He won 2 MVPs and was inducted into the hall of fame in 2010.

Everyone famously called Malone ‘The Mailman’ because of his deliveries and passes. He had mastered many aspects of the game pretty early. In his prime, he was among the very best in the league. Karl Malone was 2nd on the list of most points for years. However, he has been surpassed by the player he holds in high regard, LeBron James.

ALSO READ: Did Karl Malone’s loyalty cost him a championship?

Karl Malone’s man crush was LeBron James

LeBron broke another record on Saturday night. With 38 points against the Wizards, he surpassed Karl Malone to become the 2nd highest point scorer in the history of the NBA. It would be fair to revisit the time when Karl Malone admitted he had a man-crush on LeBron James.

In an interview on The Dan Patrick Show way back in 2013, Dan and Karl were in conversation about who Karl’s all-time starting five would be. Karl’s answer sparked the fans at that time, as he had excluded Michael Jordan. He also did not include himself.

“I’m gonna shock the world,” said Malone. “I have to put Scottie Pippen at the three. Scottie Pippen led the [Bulls] in every statistical category when he was there without Jordan.”

The remaining 4 in the lineup were John Stockton at point guard, LeBron James at power forward, Wilt Chamberlain at center, and Oscar Robertson at shooting guard. 

READ MORE: Rivalry so intense that Karl even resented a gesture. 

Dan asked him jokingly that he must have a man-crush on Scottie Pippen because he picked Scottie over MJ. To which Karl responded, “I have a man-crush on LeBron James.”

However, just moments after his interview with Dan, he called up ESPN. Karl said that he was just messing with Dan Patrick.

“Michael Jordan is in my starting five. Relax my little grasshoppers,” Malone said to ESPN. “Dan Patrick had a man-crush on MJ from the time we started the interview. I was just messing with him,” he said in a tweet.

It was a funny exchange from Karl Malone at the time. Moreover, the whole incident showed that no matter how bitter the two finals losses made Karl towards MJ, the legends always respected each other.

He also might have said that he had a man-crush on LeBron James to mess with Dan, but it would be fair to conclude that Karl has the highest of respects for LeBron. After all, LeBron James has chased down and taken the 2nd spot from Karl Malone.