according to sources in SLC, malone is opting out of the all-star game this year. he's basing his decision on 'back pains', but the word on the street is this: apparently, 2 years ago, which was the last all-star game, when kobe made his splash, malone was highly upset at kobe's upstaging him. he vowed, from what i've been told, that he would never play in another all-star game. i'm not sure why nor am i privy to the exact details. in fact i don't remember the squabble. needless to say, here comes the '99-'00 all-star game. the 'problem(s)' malone had with kobe's upstaging is spilling into this year's festivities. he's still upset, hates the direction the nba is taking (flash, etc... not sure), and believe this, feels slighted by the fans because he didn't gather enough votes. or enough to satisfy is insatiable ego. malone has not publicly said this, nor has it been reported anywhere. apparently he's been grumbling quite a bit about it and felt he should not participate this year. of course, he cites his recent back problems, which i gather results from a collision he had with a ref in a game tuesday. needless to say, classless. whether you get voted in as a reserve, as malone was, or as a starter by the fans, you play. unless, of course, there are circumstances that keep you from it. he will say it's his back. we all know, even if the information is not confirmed, that he's just a classless, groin-kicking all-star. i admit, a damn fine power forward and will go down as one of the best. take this information for what it's worth. don't be surprised to hear some grumblings later this week...... [This message has been edited by AtlantaRocketsFan (edited February 03, 2000).]
While I don't agree with him not playing, if this is in fact the reason (I doubt it), I can understand why. I really don't like Kobe Bryant. Him and Shaq are nowhere near team players. They would rather have the stats and the highlights than a championship. Even though Satan hasn't won one, he doesn't hog the ball and make plays just for Sportscenter. He's out there every night playing his ass off, no matter how much I hate the things he does on the court. That whole MJ/Kobe thing was ridiculous, if I were Karl, or anyone else for that matter, I'd be pissed to. Ugh...that coupled with rooting for the Jazz this week. Jenna must love me now!
If I remember correctly what happened was that Malone tried to set a pick for Kobe and Kobe waved him off and tried one of his highlight dunks (which he missed by the way). But I remember the announcers making some comment about it at the time and saying that Karl was pissed at the rookie for showing no respect. I still can't believe what a hugh crybaby Karl Malone is.
