Retirement seems to be treating Karl Malone pretty well.
The Utah Jazz legend attended the team’s Summer League game against the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Thursday sporting a full-on beard.
LEGEND.@utahjazz | #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/YJCLHwN1bT
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 13, 2018
Malone also made an appearance on the air with NBA TV broadcasters Stu Jackson and Kristen Ledlow. It was quite a spectacle, as Malone aired his grievances about the modern game, referred to himself in the third person numerous times, and plugged his daughter’s cigar shop, among other things.
The bizarre appearance led to a lot of funny reactions from the Twittersphere.
OK, I don't feel so bad. Karl Malone just #WellActually'd the NBA TV crew pic.twitter.com/IeIrrwX1Rc
— Born Salty (@cjzero) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone basically saying get off my lawn for 20 minutes
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone is on NBA TV saying that KD should go in the post instead of shooting jumpers
— Robby Valentino (@RobbyRav) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone looks like a gas station mechanic now. I almost didn't recognize him. #NBA #ESPN
— Be happy (@takenbreak) July 13, 2018
“You rest when you die” – Karl Malone
— Jazz Nation (@JazzNation2018) July 13, 2018
OH MY GOD KARL MALONE DROPPED A WHAT ABOUT THE TROOPS WHEN DISCUSSING REST IN TODAY’S NBA. SUMMER LEAGUE REALLY THE GREATEST GIFT THE NBA GIVES US
— Zay (@ThisIsZay) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone actually looks like a mailman now https://t.co/e0TCXNteH6
— Adam (@Adam__Flieger) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone just said the words “Karl Malone” 5 times in 60 seconds on @NBATV.
— Michael Smith (@brianfantana82) July 13, 2018
I watch it sometime… sometime I don watch it.
-Karl Malone, 7/12/18
— Big Trippin, spendin gs (@gregorytripp) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone on tv providing us with some horrendous takes my goodness
— Dub (@WMsDiary) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone yelling at clouds
— The summer of Rehab (@Quinceyjakarii) July 13, 2018
“Smoke them if you got them” – Karl Malone pic.twitter.com/yg84NMenu1
— GARLICK (@st_garlick) July 13, 2018
Things that have happened with Karl Malone on the broadcast:
he criticized a weak screen on a pick and roll
he said AAU is ruining the game
he said Players Only is “amazing”
he plugged his daughter’s cigar shop in RustonQuestion: can that segment receive and Emmy
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) July 13, 2018
Malone, now 54, retired in 2004 after 19 seasons in the NBA and after scoring the second-most points in league history. The last time that we saw him on the air a few years ago might have been just as bizarre too.
