Malone seems content with his life's direction
Karl Malone turned 45 in July and, if it wasn't for the injured knee that required surgery a couple of times at the tail end of his 19-year career, I think he could still play 30 minutes a night in the NBA.
With apologies to Brett Favre, however, it won't happen.
Malone played host at the grand opening of his new Toyota "superstore" in Draper on Thursday, and I don't know if I have ever seen him more relaxed, comfortable or outwardly pleased with the direction of his life.
The most interesting aspect to Malone's new dealership -- at least to the non-car buyer -- is the large collection of basketball-related memorabilia that is on display.
"When we started thinking about [building] the superstore, I thought, 'This stuff has got to be in there,' " said Malone, pointing to a giant display case that holds, among other things, one of his two Olympic gold medals.
Malone called the place a museum for basketball fans -- a description that isn't far off, actually.
"To me, having this stuff here, it isn't about just [trying to sell] cars," he said. "It's about being into sports. ... If you are into sports and don't come here, I don't know what to tell you."
Malone said one of his favorite items from among the scores on display is a ring from high school in Ruston, La.
"That's when I first started and nobody really cared," he said. "I don't know if anybody cares now, either. But that's when it all started for me."
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Beyond his new auto dealership, Malone remains involved in a variety of other business. Most recently, he has started acquiring real estate and leasing it for oil and natural gas exploration.
In the last few years, Malone has also gotten involved with the basketball program at Louisiana Tech, where his long-time friend Kerry Rupp is starting his second season as head coach. Rupp, you recall, is the ex-coach at East High and former assistant at the University of Utah.
Malone's official title at Louisiana Tech is director of basketball promotion and assistant strength and conditioning coach. In one case, at least, he's also dabbling with being a schedule-maker.
When I asked if he had talked to former Jazz teammate John Stockton recently, Malone laughed and said, " I talked to Stock today. We're trying to get a home-and-home [series] with Gonzaga put together. But Stock, I think he's scared."
---
Malone keeps track of the Jazz's fortunes and admitted being "a little disappointed" that their 2007-08 season ended in the Western Conference semifinals against his other former team, the Lakers.
"I thought everything was falling into place," he said. "But I tell people, 'Just be patient. With the nucleus we've got -- with the pieces we've got -- it doesn't need a lot. Just a little tweaking.' "
When I told Malone there is some sentiment the Jazz should trade All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer, who can opt out of his contract after next season, he shook his head.
"I think that would be the dumbest thing we ever did," Malone said. "I wouldn't trade Carlos Boozer."
---
After Malone left to take care of another media obligation, I spent a few minutes visiting to his wife, Kay.
One subject of our brief conversation? I asked if she was worried about Hurricane Gustav, which could be heading for the Mississippi-Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Perhaps you remember that the Malones became extremely involved in the recovery effort after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Referring to the potential devastation that another direct hit by a major hurricane could have on the region, Kay Malone said, "I don't know if those poor people can handle it."
When I said something like we can only pray that doesn't happen, she replied, "That's the first thing I did this morning."
-- Steve Luhm
With apologies to Brett Favre, however, it won't happen.
Malone played host at the grand opening of his new Toyota "superstore" in Draper on Thursday, and I don't know if I have ever seen him more relaxed, comfortable or outwardly pleased with the direction of his life.
The most interesting aspect to Malone's new dealership -- at least to the non-car buyer -- is the large collection of basketball-related memorabilia that is on display.
"When we started thinking about [building] the superstore, I thought, 'This stuff has got to be in there,' " said Malone, pointing to a giant display case that holds, among other things, one of his two Olympic gold medals.
Malone called the place a museum for basketball fans -- a description that isn't far off, actually.
"To me, having this stuff here, it isn't about just [trying to sell] cars," he said. "It's about being into sports. ... If you are into sports and don't come here, I don't know what to tell you."
Malone said one of his favorite items from among the scores on display is a ring from high school in Ruston, La.
"That's when I first started and nobody really cared," he said. "I don't know if anybody cares now, either. But that's when it all started for me."
---
Beyond his new auto dealership, Malone remains involved in a variety of other business. Most recently, he has started acquiring real estate and leasing it for oil and natural gas exploration.
In the last few years, Malone has also gotten involved with the basketball program at Louisiana Tech, where his long-time friend Kerry Rupp is starting his second season as head coach. Rupp, you recall, is the ex-coach at East High and former assistant at the University of Utah.
Malone's official title at Louisiana Tech is director of basketball promotion and assistant strength and conditioning coach. In one case, at least, he's also dabbling with being a schedule-maker.
When I asked if he had talked to former Jazz teammate John Stockton recently, Malone laughed and said, " I talked to Stock today. We're trying to get a home-and-home [series] with Gonzaga put together. But Stock, I think he's scared."
---
Malone keeps track of the Jazz's fortunes and admitted being "a little disappointed" that their 2007-08 season ended in the Western Conference semifinals against his other former team, the Lakers.
"I thought everything was falling into place," he said. "But I tell people, 'Just be patient. With the nucleus we've got -- with the pieces we've got -- it doesn't need a lot. Just a little tweaking.' "
When I told Malone there is some sentiment the Jazz should trade All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer, who can opt out of his contract after next season, he shook his head.
"I think that would be the dumbest thing we ever did," Malone said. "I wouldn't trade Carlos Boozer."
---
After Malone left to take care of another media obligation, I spent a few minutes visiting to his wife, Kay.
One subject of our brief conversation? I asked if she was worried about Hurricane Gustav, which could be heading for the Mississippi-Louisiana Gulf Coast.
Perhaps you remember that the Malones became extremely involved in the recovery effort after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Referring to the potential devastation that another direct hit by a major hurricane could have on the region, Kay Malone said, "I don't know if those poor people can handle it."
When I said something like we can only pray that doesn't happen, she replied, "That's the first thing I did this morning."
-- Steve Luhm
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