Jazz forward Karl Malone has been asked by the NBA not to wear his signature basketball shoes with the lights in the heels. But the Mailman says he intends to keep them on.
Malone said Rod Thorn, the league's Vice President of Operations, called Jazz General Manger Tim Howells Friday about the matter. Howells then called assistant trainer Terry Clark in Boston, who told Malone.But prior to Friday's game in Boston, when Malone was asked if he'll continue wearing the shoes, he said, "Hell, yeah."
The shoes have a small battery implanted in the heel and tiny red lights blink when he puts pressure on the heel. "Makes you jump higher," said Malone.
The shoe is called L.A. Tech and is the Mailman's signature shoe this year. He said L.A. Gear told him if any fines are levied by the league, the shoe company will pay them.
"I can't stop wearing the shoes. What's wrong with wearing them just because they light up?" Asked what next year's model might feature, Malone said, "Who knows? Probably have a beeper on them."
The league forbids players from wearing equipment that might be a distraction.
"I was just getting in the Christmas spirit," said Malone, referring to the blinking red lights. "That's all."