Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
Karl Malone, Utah Jazz. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

Best Utah Jazz Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Karl Malone

During his 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, Karl Malone took consistency and durability to an entirely new level. He played fewer than 81 games only a single time, but he wasn’t simply on the court for show. 17 of those years saw him average over 20 points a contest, a remarkable run that has him among the best scorers the league has ever seen.

Standing 6’9” and approximately 250 pounds, Malone was properly prepared for the physical brand of basketball played during both the 1980s and 1990s. He was more than happy to doll out some punishment of his own with a powerful inside presence that allowed him to get just about any shot he wanted.

Malone combined his bullish tendencies around the rim with a soft mid-range jumper. The result was on offensive package difficult to slow down given the lack of options defenses had to work with to stifle the 14-time All-Star.

It also fostered one of the most revered pick-and-roll combinations alongside John Stockton. The two were made for each other, Malone setting devastating screens to free up a point guard always looking to dish the rock. It was symmetry at the highest level, and it had the Utah Jazz competing for championships.

Utah was a dynamic regular-season squad during the days of Malone. The only time they finished with fewer than 40 wins was during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 campaign. Other than that 50-game season, the Jazz won more at least 50 games eight times and 60 games on three separate occasions.

They advanced to consecutive Finals in 1997 and 1998, but back-to-back run-ins with Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls halted any chance for Malone to win a title. The lack of championship success has led many to place him down a peg from the pantheon greats, but that hardly diminishes his overall body of work.

There were 14 All-NBA selections and two MVP trophies with the No. 2 spot in all-time points by an individual. Malone never was able to bring the ultimate hardware to Salt Lake, but his nightly commitment to the game brought him a level of excellence that won’t soon be forgotten.