No. 1) Karl Malone
In much the way that LeBron James is now, “The Mailman” Karl Malone was a freak of nature. He was 6-foot-9, 260 pounds of beast with a physique that looked like something out of DC Comics or Greek mythology. He was guard quick, could defend the league’s best frontcourt players and was able to score in the paint or from 18 to 20 feet away from the basket.
Throw in a legendary work ethic, an unflinching will to win and all the intangibles and you have, for my money, the greatest power forward to ever play the game.
Sorry Tim Duncan, your own coach said you were a center. Even if you weren’t, I’m still giving the edge to the Deliverer in the great power forward debate.
At the conclusion of his 19-year career, Malone was the league’s second all-time leading scorer, behind just Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and sixth leading rebounder. He also had won two MVP awards, two Olympic Gold Medals, was a 13-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA First Team selection, an All-NBA Third Team selection, three-time All-Defensive First Teams player and an All-Defensive Second Team player.
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Of course, we’ve all heard the litany before and as impressive as it is, it still doesn’t do the man justice. Nor does it tell the tale of how he transformed himself from a little-known, low-post bruiser from Louisiana Tech who couldn’t hit a free throw to one of the most dominant scorers, intimidating defenders and complete players ever to play the game.
With Malone, you had to see it for yourself. And even then, it was hard to believe your eyes at times.
Utah Jazz Stats: 1434 GP, 25.4 PTS, 10.2 REB, 3.5 AST