Karl Malone reported for Utah Jazz training camp Thursday afternoon sporting Elvis-style sideburns, a goatee and a chip on his shoulder.
Malone said he's in fantastic shape - he just wishes the same could be said about the rest of his teammates. After seeing the results of the pre-camp physical exams, Malone was less than impressed with the weight and body-fat percentage of some of his fellow Jazzmen. He refused to name names, but it's safe to say he wasn't talking about veterans John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek."We have guys on a team that came a point or two from the championship that didn't come back in shape," said Malone with disgust. "I'm disappointed about that since we (Malone and Stockton) came back in the best shape of our lives . . . . I'm going to make it known to them that I'm (ticked) off."
Malone, 34, said not coming back to camp in good physical condition is "unprofessional" and a "disgrace" and went so far as to call some of his teammates "lard (expletive for rear ends)."
Hornacek, who is also 34, understands where Malone is coming from. "It frustrates the older guys because even at our age, we come back in shape," said Hornacek. "It's a different NBA now. This league is still going well because of guys between 30 and 35."
His teammates' shape, or lack thereof, wasn't the only bone of contention for Malone. He, just as Stockton had previously, questioned the reasoning for holding camp in Boise rather than southern Utah, where it had been the previous 12 seasons.
The reason for the switch, simply, was so that Jazz owner Larry H. Miller could showcase his team and get some publicity in an area where he recently purchased eight auto dealerships.
"I'm not wild about" camp being in Boise, said the defending NBA MVP. "Boise is a great place. I like Boise, but we had a great thing in St. George. I'm afraid of the distractions."
Malone also was irritated by teammates during the off-season - including his 7-2 buddy Greg Ostertag - saying they were looking forward to becoming "the man" for the Jazz following the Mailman's retirement.
"It offended me and kind of (ticked) me off," he said. "A lot of guys want to be `the man' on this team . . . . Do it now while I'm playing. Don't wait until I retire. That's a cop out."
Malone relayed his feelings to his teammates in a meeting Thursday night in Boise.
"I'm (ticked) off right now," he said, "but I'm happy."
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, who has been through this training camp routine a few dozen times in the 32 years since he was a first-round draft pick, isn't the least bit surprised that some players aren't in the best of shape. "That never changes," he said. "Some guys come in great shape every year, some guys don't."
Sloan said that by the third day of camp it will be evident who is in shape and who isn't. The 17 players auditioning for 12 parts began their two-a-day practice sessions this morning at the Boise State Pavilion.