KG or Karl Malone...Who Would you Take?

[afrobandit]

KG passed The Mailman for all time DREB yesterday.

Who would you take as the #1 on your team?

[realreodeal]

Malone all day every day.

[the27guy]

Two of my top 5 players of all time. 2 of the top 30 players ever.

In their prime? A toss up. Maybe a slight edge to Malone.

For their career? Malone. One of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Impossible endurance. most consecutive 2000 point seasons. He was a top 5 player for 14-15 years. Kg was top 5 for maybe 8.

[shindo03]

KG is one of my favorites, but I think he will be remembered for his tenacity and emotion for the game. But, at the end of the day, it's Malone, but how much was it Malone and how much was it Stockton.

[Wolves4Life]

I take KG for doing more with less. Malone had a great team and best passer in the history of the game IMO.

[the27guy]

I take KG for doing more with less. Malone had a great team and best passer in the history of the game IMO.

You should absolutely take kg. He is Minnesota. Until Wiggins/towns/lavine, you say "tell me what I need to know about the history of this franchise" and I say " let me tell you about the big ticket"

Very few, if any, have done so much for one franchise.

[Wolves4Life]

You should absolutely take kg. He is Minnesota. Until Wiggins/towns/lavine, you say "tell me what I need to know about the history of this franchise" and I say " let me tell you about the big ticket"

Very few, if any, have done so much for one franchise.

Blowout needs a like button.

[the mesiah]

Give me KG all day every day, 26k+ point scorer , consistent first team defensive caliber player year in and year out , DPOY , didn't have another top 200 player of all time during his Minny days much less a top 5 PG of all time , list goes on and on ..

[realreodeal]

Give me KG all day every day, 26k+ point scorer , consistent first team defensive caliber player year in and year out , DPOY , didn't have another top 200 player of all time during his Minny days much less a top 5 PG of all time , list goes on and on ..

Do you realize Malone had nearly 37000 points and is the 2nd all time leading scorer among other accomplishments.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malone

[stalemonkey30]

As good as Karl Malone was, he just didn't perform as well in the playoffs as he did in the regular season. For that reason alone I would take KG or Barkley over him.

[AlphaNOmega06]

It still amazes me that Utah couldn't put together a team to win a championship when Malone and Stockton were there in their primes. Honestly, like what the hell lol?

I understand how many stacked teams there were back then, but you have two of the greatest to play the game on the roster and the garbage front office can't bring in talent to back them up. Just sad.

Its crazy how similar Malone and KG's careers were as far as terrible management not doing jack to build around them.

[the27guy]

As good as Karl Malone was, he just didn't perform as well in the playoffs as he did in the regular season. For that reason alone I would take KG or Barkley over him.

He scored 39 in the finals in Chicago in a game 5 to force a game 6.

He dropped 50 on the sonics.

He was not the best late game go to guy. Name a big who is though. When you aren't the shot creator... Aka a guard.... It's tough.

[realreodeal]

As good as Karl Malone was, he just didn't perform as well in the playoffs as he did in the regular season. For that reason alone I would take KG or Barkley over him.

He averaged 20-31 points per game in the playoffs 16 years in a row. The 17th year he was at 19.6 points and 12 playoffs in a row with a double double average.

[Bigalloyd13]

Malone, hands down.

[the mesiah]

Do you realize Malone had nearly 37000 points and is the 2nd all time leading scorer among other accomplishments.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Malone

Do u realize he played against a weak western conference era in the 80's and had multiple times bounced out early with Stockton ,a HOF player beside him.Garnett was one the most unselfish players compared to malone who was the more selfish out of the two among other deficiencies..

[bootan]

Malone all day everyday, and that's taking nothing away from KG.

If it wasn't MJ Malone would have at least 2 rings

[jubei777]

Mailman every day.

[realreodeal]

Do u realize he played against a weak western conference era in the 80's and had multiple times bounced out early with Stockton ,a HOF player beside him.Garnett was one the most unselfish players compared to malone who was the more selfish out of the two among other deficiencies..

Argue all you want but the truth is Malone was a much better player. The West was very tough and he played nearly 20 years so he played against many great western conference teams.

[the27guy]

Do u realize he played against a weak western conference era in the 80's and had multiple times bounced out early with Stockton ,a HOF player beside him.Garnett was one the most unselfish players compared to malone who was the more selfish out of the two among other deficiencies..

I don't know how to call bs loud enough.

Garnett and Malone are #46 and 51 currently on the all time assist list. Two of the best passing bigs in the history of the league.

Malone had to deal with -

The Olajuwon/drexler rockets
The early Duncan spurs
The 64 win kemp/Payton sonics.
The Kobe/Shaq Lakers.

[Mikegioseffi]

I'd take KG. His defense and ability to get his teammates hyped up was the deciding factor for me.

[stevenhsu]

Weak? man you ever watch early NBA games? The physical defense and hand checking not even called fouls , with all the NBA's greatest Center era he had to deal with and that's weak?



Do u realize he played against a weak western conference era in the 80's and had multiple times bounced out early with Stockton ,a HOF player beside him.Garnett was one the most unselfish players compared to malone who was the more selfish out of the two among other deficiencies..

[Muzzy66]

This is too hard for me to answer, as they are honestly two of my favorite players of all time.

Honestly, I think it really depends a lot on the type of team you put around them.

If you have a team with a lot of good role players, and you need the one big time offensive star to carry you, then I'd go Malone.

If you have a team that is filled with star talent and need a leader who can hold everybody together, play well with other stars, and make his teammates better, then I'd go KG.

I don't think there is really any one answer on which of those guys is the better player. Malone is more of an offensive beast and the type to carry a team. KG was more of a swiss army knife who could do a bit of everything, but never really had that selfish "superstar" mentality.

[JasonM32]

Both great, I'd take KG for his defense and jump shot. I just prefer his game to Karl Malone's. He fits in better with what I would try to do on offense and defense.

[dasiegel]

This is actually a great question, my instinct was to automatically say Karl Malone, but it's not that simple.

As good as Karl Malone was, he just didn't perform as well in the playoffs as he did in the regular season. For that reason alone I would take KG or Barkley over him.

I don't know what you are talking about but this is just inaccurate.

It still amazes me that Utah couldn't put together a team to win a championship when Malone and Stockton were there in their primes. Honestly, like what the hell lol?

I understand how many stacked teams there were back then, but you have two of the greatest to play the game on the roster and the garbage front office can't bring in talent to back them up. Just sad.

Its crazy how similar Malone and KG's careers were as far as terrible management not doing jack to build around them.

That team was about as stacked as any. Not many teams (save for the Bulls) had a lot of stars. The Knicks had Ewing and two semi stars in Oakley and Starks. The Pacers had Miller and some solid players like teh Davis boys and Smits. But the Jazz had two true HOFers and Hornacek, Russell and a bunch of solid rotation guys. That was about as good as you could ask for in the 90s.

Anyway tough call, I guess I'd actually give the nod to KG because I think he was a better leader and defensive player, am I nuts?

[sniperx]

It still amazes me that Utah couldn't put together a team to win a championship when Malone and Stockton were there in their primes. Honestly, like what the hell lol?

I understand how many stacked teams there were back then, but you have two of the greatest to play the game on the roster and the garbage front office can't bring in talent to back them up. Just sad.

Its crazy how similar Malone and KG's careers were as far as terrible management not doing jack to build around them.

It's not really rocket science if you think about it. Jordan screwed alot of Hall of Famer's out of rings

[Rareairx23]

Karl Malone all day

[cardozo]

Karl Malone for sure.

Not to put people down but some of the responses were quite laughable.

In his prime Garnett was a beast but looking at the entire career Malone has the edge.

[byronscott4ever]

I'm from MN but lean Malone for durability. The late 1980s WC was pretty solid.

[Hoopsfanatic]

Malone.

If one could poll sportswriters who actually covered the sport for at least the minimum of the last 30 years it would not be even close as this thread makes it seem.

[the mesiah]

Argue all you want but the truth is Malone was a much better player. The West was very tough and he played nearly 20 years so he played against many great western conference teams.

Only great 80's era West team Utah played against was Lakers, everyone else was not that good or ought to be mentioned in the conversation as being great.East was by far the greater overall top to bottom conference at that time.
Portland in the late late 80's -early 90's was a very good team,but not great.

[bmf]

Two of my top 5 players of all time. 2 of the top 30 players ever.

In their prime? A toss up. Maybe a slight edge to Malone.

For their career? Malone. One of the greatest scorers in NBA history. Impossible endurance. most consecutive 2000 point seasons. He was a top 5 player for 14-15 years. Kg was top 5 for maybe 8.

i'd put both of them top 15. they were both off the charts. i know they have one ring between them but rings are more of a team thing and i think weighted far too heavily when measuring individual player legacy

[the mesiah]

I don't know how to call bs loud enough.

Garnett and Malone are #46 and 51 currently on the all time assist list. Two of the best passing bigs in the history of the league.

Malone had to deal with -

The Olajuwon/drexler rockets
The early Duncan spurs
The 64 win kemp/Payton sonics.
The Kobe/Shaq Lakers.
Call it whatever u want I couldn't care less,

Garnett all by himself had to deal with -

Those same Olajuwon/drexler Rockets but then add in Barkley to that mix
The EARLY and more importantly PRIME years of the undisputed #1 PF
Top 6 player of all time Duncan Spurs
Those 60+ wins Sonics teams
Prime and peak Shaq/Kobe Lakers
Top 5 PF of all time Dirk led Mavericks
Late 90's-early 00's Sacramento kings
Late 90's -early 00's Portland trail blazers

[Kingschwab4215]

Ticket because of defensive versatility and because his teammates were garbage during his prime.

[markinca]

In his prime Garnett was a beast but looking at the entire career Malone has the edge.

This basically. If you're asking me who I want during on their peak 3-4 years, who would I want? Garnett.

If you're asking me who I want for the entirety of their careers? Malone.

[cardozo]

Call it whatever u want I couldn't care less,

Garnett all by himself had to deal with -

Those same Olajuwon/drexler Rockets but then add in Barkley to that mix
The EARLY and more importantly PRIME years of the undisputed #1 PF
Top 6 player of all time Duncan Spurs
Those 60+ wins Sonics teams
Prime and peak Shaq/Kobe Lakers
Top 5 PF of all time Dirk led Mavericks
Late 90's-early 00's Sacramento kings
Late 90's -early 00's Portland trail blazers

didnt garnett have marbury......

[the mesiah]

didnt garnett have marbury......

But compared to Stockton , c'mon now,

[asujbl]

But compared to Stockton , c'mon now,

Who is comparing Stockton to Marbury?

But acting like Garnett was playing 1 on 5 is revisionist history.

Garnett played with multiple above average NBA players when he was in Minnesota.

[ljandkg]

This is too hard for me to answer, as they are honestly two of my favorite players of all time.

Honestly, I think it really depends a lot on the type of team you put around them.

If you have a team with a lot of good role players, and you need the one big time offensive star to carry you, then I'd go Malone.

If you have a team that is filled with star talent and need a leader who can hold everybody together, play well with other stars, and make his teammates better, then I'd go KG.

I don't think there is really any one answer on which of those guys is the better player. Malone is more of an offensive beast and the type to carry a team. KG was more of a swiss army knife who could do a bit of everything, but never really had that selfish "superstar" mentality.

Thread winner right here...

My way of thinking Malone had that go to offensive repertoire for years and years with the pick and roll with Stockton. No one could stop it really for a loooong time. KG was unstoppable offensively for a far smaller period. So if you want a scorer then you go with Malone.
KG had far more impact on the defensive end, and funnily enough still does with the small minutes he plays these days. So if you're building your team around a more impactful player at both ends, you go with KG.

[the mesiah]

Who is comparing Stockton to Marbury?

But acting like Garnett was playing 1 on 5 is revisionist history.

Garnett played with multiple above average NBA players when he was in Minnesota.

He brought up he had Marbury, that was for like a couple of years and it was a raw 19 y/o,20 y/o steph nothing compared to HOF caliber that Stock was.

Of course no one is sayin it was 1 against 5 :doh:

Above average players like who ..injury prone Gugilota,anthony peeler , or let me guess Cherokee parks ,rasho nesterovic , brightest spot to organazation was bringing in a disgruntled sprewell , old ass role player Cassell to help KG to go up against a prime Shaq/kobe squad in WCF. Definately kG overachieved as oppose to malone underachieving team wise with the nucleus of sloan/Stockton for so many years.

[asujbl]

He brought up he had Marbury, that was for like a couple of years and it was a raw 19 y/o,20 y/o steph nothing compared to HOF caliber that Stock was.

Of course no one is sayin it was 1 against 5 :doh:

Above average players like who ..injury prone Gugilota,anthony peeler , or let me guess Cherokee parks ,rasho nesterovic , brightest spot to organazation was bringing in a disgruntled sprewell , old ass role player Cassell to help KG to go up against a prime Shaq/kobe squad in WCF. Definately kG overachieved as oppose to malone underachieving team wise with the nucleus of sloan/Stockton for so many years.

Then why did you say this instead of pointing out all the legit players he did play with...

"Garnett all by himself had to deal with"

[the mesiah]

Then why did you say this instead of pointing out all the legit players he did play with...

"Garnett all by himself had to deal with"

Take everything literal much do we..:)!

[asujbl]

Take everything literal much do we..:)!

Then don't use hyperbole to make a point

[the mesiah]

Then don't use hyperbole to make a point

:coffee::D ...Internet forum keyboard warriors ..you all are the funniest group .

[lb_sa]

The Big Ticket.

[cardozo]

Who is comparing Stockton to Marbury?

But acting like Garnett was playing 1 on 5 is revisionist history.

Garnett played with multiple above average NBA players when he was in Minnesota.

thanks for clearing that up, some people have trouble reading :(.

[theblemishedone]

Here's my 2 cents: Malone played in an era where it was man-to-man defense, more physical, in a super-tough division and had a HOF point guard and coach.

Garnett needed Pierce, Rondo, Allen and Perkins (highly underrated).

I choose Malone by a very slim margin. If Malone had a perimeter specialist like a Kerr, Ray Allen, or Robert Horry, Malone would probably have one championship ring to speak of.

[CubKings]

As one who grew up watching Malone a lot, I seen how consistent he was on a nightly basis, not to mention all of his accolades and records. Ring or not, Malone pretty much has to be in the top 25.

KG, while one of my favorites of all time has done a ton of greatness in his career, he may end up just a tad below the Mailman.

Love both players. Not really a wrong answer here. It's tough.