That Karl Malone, what a fella! Big and strong, like an ox pullin’ a plow. Heard folks talkin’ ’bout his wingspan. Sounds like some kinda bird, don’t it? But it’s ’bout how far he can reach with them long arms. And let me tell ya, that man could reach! Like he could scratch his back and tie his shoes at the same time. He was somethin’ else on that basketball court.
He was tall, too, almost 7 feet tall. Lordy, I reckon he had to duck to get through doorways! He played for some team, the Jazz, I think it was. Played there a long time, near 20 years! And then he went to another team, the Lakers, when he was gettin’ on in years. Still played good, though. Like an old mule, still strong and pullin’ its weight.
They say he was one of the best. Scored a heap of points, more than most. And strong, goodness me, like he ate nails for breakfast. Nobody could push him around, no sir! He played with another fella, John Stockton, little guy, quick as a rabbit. They was a sight to see, I hear. One big and strong, other small and fast, tossing that ball around like it was nothin’.
He had to work hard to get that good. Wasn’t born knowin’ how to play, I reckon. Had to practice and practice, like learnin’ to churn butter, takes time and muscle. He went to some college down south, Louisiana Tech. Probably learned a thing or two there. But he learned more on the court, playin’ against them other fellas, all big and strong like him.
- He played in them Finals, they call it. Big games, important, like the county fair but with basketballs.
- Played in ’97, ’98, and then again in ’04 with the Lakers.
- Didn’t win it all, though. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Just like life.
Heard some folks say he shoulda done this or that in some game. Always folks got somethin’ to say, ain’t they? Like a bunch of crows cawin’ in a cornfield. He did his best, I reckon. Can’t ask for more than that. He worked hard, that Karl Malone. Worked like a farmer in the fields, all day long, sunup to sundown.
He was something with that basketball. They talk about his wingspan and this and that, but what it came down to was he was a hard worker. He could play, sure. He had a gift, like some folks can sing and others can dance. But he worked hard at it. That’s what matters.
Some say Karl Malone is one of the best to play. They talk about them old timers, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, sayin’ they was the best. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t. Every time’s got its own good ones. But that Karl Malone, he was right up there with ’em.
That John Stockton, he passed the ball to Karl a lot. They say he passed the ball more than anybody in the whole game. More than 15,000 times, can you believe that? That’s a lot of passin’. And now some fella named Chris Paul, he’s gettin’ close to that number, but he ain’t there yet.
- Karl Malone, big and strong, almost 7 feet tall.
- Played for the Jazz for a long time, then the Lakers.
- Scored a whole heap of points.
- Worked hard, like a farmer.
- That wingspan, it was somethin’ else!
Now he’s done playin’, I reckon. Probably sittin’ back, enjoyin’ life. He earned it. Played hard, worked hard, did his best. That’s all anybody can ask for. He was a good one, that Karl Malone. One of the best, they say. And I reckon they’re right.
He was one of a kind, like a prize-winnin’ hog at the fair. Big, strong, and knew what he was doin’. That wingspan was just part of it. The real story was the hard work and the grit. He played hard every game, and that’s why folks remember him. Like an old oak tree, stood tall and strong for a long, long time.
Heard he hurt his knee once, bad too. But he kept playin’. Tough as old boots, that one. Didn’t let nothin’ stop him. Just kept on goin’, like a river flowin’ down a mountain. Always movin’, always pushin’ forward. That’s what made him great. He was strong and the Karl Malone wingspan was big, but he was great for other stuff too.
