Malone, Second Place on NBA Scoring List
S A L T L A K E C I T Y, Dec. 6, 2000 -- Karl Malone found it easier to look aheadthan behind after a historic night.
“It’s been a great journey, but I’m not done,” Malone said. “Don’t write my obituary yet. I’m going to continue to try and play. Hopefully, I can help us win and get to the next level. I have one other goal in mind now [winning an NBA title].”
Malone moved past Chamberlain for second place on the NBA’scareer scoring list Tuesday night, hitting a scoop shot with 4:58remaining in the second quarter of Utah’s 98-84 victory over theToronto Raptors.
Two Years on Chamberlain
Malone finished with 31 points, giving him 31,443 in his 16-yearcareer. Chamberlain scored 31,419 in 14 seasons. KareemAbdul-Jabbar is the league’s career leader with 38,387.
“To be able to play every game with guys who believed in me,that’s what really means a lot,” Malone said. “That, and thepeople here in Utah have accepted me, the good with the bad.”
The most prolific power forward in NBA history, Malone went intothe game needing eight points to pass Chamberlain. In recent days,Malone has spoken repeatedly of his admiration for the man.
“Wilt Chamberlain was a pioneer in this league, a guy I havegreat respect for,” Malone said. “I didn’t sleep at all today. I had the worst nap ever.”
The Mailman added 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, and theonly lowlight came when he was ejected with less than a minute toplay after getting his second technical for arguing with refereeMarc Davis.
Even then, Malone received a standing ovation.
“My biggest fear was that I would get the record, but wewouldn’t win,” Malone said.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan praised Malone’s durability anddedication. He recalled being impressed by Malone’s work ethic as a rookie, but questioned whether it would wear off as he became aveteran.
“How long is going to be before you change, quit going topractice or start showing up late?” Sloan asked.
“Coach, I’ll never do that,” Malone replied. It left an indelible impression on Sloan.
“That says a lot about what he’s been about,” Sloan said. “He’s always here early. He does the work we ask him to do. It’s just a real pleasure to have the opportunity to coach the guy.”
Warming Up Against Toronto
It took a while for Malone to get going against the Raptors. Hemissed his first shot and dropped a pass from John Stockton out ofbounds, his only touches in the first five minutes.
He finally made a 22-foot jumper midway through the firstperiod, then hit from 18 feet. With 1:54 on the clock, he got afast-break layup on a feed from Bryon Russell.
After sitting most of the second quarter, Malone came in tocheers. Flashbulbs twinkled in the crowd when he threw in a jumperfor the apparent historic points, but Toronto was called for anillegal defense, negating the basket.
The points to surpass Chamberlain came, fittingly, on a feedfrom Stockton, Malone’s long-time teammate and the point guard who made so many of his baskets possible.
“I wouldn’t have had it any other way,” Malone said.
Malone stepped into the lane, swept past Corliss Williamson andflipped the ball in, bringing fans to their feet and startingcheers that continued during a dead ball about one minute later.
Malone went to the sideline during the break. He was swarmed byteammates, who hugged him and gave him high-fives.
“I think everyone was really touched when it happened,”Stockton said. “I told him, ’Good job. Let’s play.’“
Chamberlain, who died in October 1999 at age 63, averaged 30.1points and still holds the league’s single-game scoring record of100 points.
At his current average of about 23 points a game, the37-year-old Malone would need to play about four more seasons tocatch Abdul-Jabbar. Malone passed Michael Jordan for third place onthe list in November 1999.
Won’t Overstay Welcome
Asked whether he would try for Abdul-Jabbar’s mark, Malone said he wouldn’t unless he continues to play well. He doesn’t want tolimp into retirement playing 15 minutes a night.
“I won’t stay around just for the record and I won’t come backfrom a serious injury,” Malone said. “I think about things I want to do for myself, with my family and my kids. I see other athleteswho stay too long. I don’t want to.”
Russell scored 17 points, including six during a late 14-3 runafter the Raptors closed to 78-77 with 6:27 to play. Stockton added12 points and directed Utah’s late surge.
Kevin Willis led the Raptors with 20 points, while MorrisPeterson added 15.
Toronto was missing two top players. Vince Carter is nursing astrained thigh, and Charles Oakley was serving the second night ofa three-game suspension.