Utah Jazz: the 5 greatest individual seasons in franchise history

Jeff Hornacek (L), John Stockton (C) and Karl Malone (R) of the Utah Jazz watch the final seconds of game three of their Western Conference semi-final against the Portland Trail Blazers 22 May 1999 at the Rose Garden in Portland OR. The Trail Blazers beat the Jazz 97-87 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Robert SULLIVAN (Photo by ROBERT SULLIVAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read ROBERT SULLIVAN/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Apr 14, 1994; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; FILE PHOTO; Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone (32) shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports /

1. Karl Malone – 1990

At first glance, it may seem odd to not have the only MVP season in Jazz history featured on this list, but the Mailman put together an amazing career, and it was his 1990 campaign that stands out above all others during his time in Utah. Unfortunately for Malone, his best career year came amidst a historic MVP race involving Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and the eventual winner, Magic Johnson.

This is seen as one of the most controversial MVP votes of all time, as despite Malone putting up 31, 11 & 3, on over 51% shooting from the field, it was Charles Barkley that the award was seemingly stolen from, not the Mailman. Karl Malone ended his iconic Jazz career as a 25 PPG scorer, but in 1990, he was all but unstoppable, becoming a true force on both ends of the floor as he entered the prime of his stellar career.

His physical presence allowed him to thrive in the post, and with one of the greatest ever floor generals leading the way, he was able to get to his spot at will. Malone would later go on to win MVP in 1999 against lesser competition for the award, and while it was an award worthy of a legendary career, it wasn’t the best season of a fantastic run in Salt Lake City.