Honesty may be the best policy, but it made Karl Malone Public Enemy No. 1 at the NBA All-Star Game Sunday afternoon in Gund Arena.
Malone was booed in pre-game warmups. He was booed when he made a couple of baskets and was even booed at halftime when he was introduced as one of the 50 greatest players of all time.The only other player to elicit that type of response from the Cleveland fans was Shaquille O'Neal, but he was home in Los Angeles and didn't have to hear it in person.
Why the boos for the Mailman?
It seems the local populace took exception to Malone saying he would have rather stayed in Salt Lake City this weekend than to spend it in Cleveland.
"I just told the truth," he said afterward.
When Malone remarked that he didn't want to be in Cleveland, it wasn't that he has anything against the northeast Ohio city. It's just that - after 10 straight all-star games - the weekend itself, no matter where it's held, is becoming old to him. Especially if he has to travel to the other side of the country to take part.
Simply put, he'd rather be resting up for the second half of the Jazz season at home.
"They took it like I was saying it against Cleveland," said Malone. "They took it out of context."
John Stockton, who garnered polite applause from the fans, stood up after the game for his Jazz teammate. "We all need breaks. I have no problem with Cleveland, but I'd rather have been at home, too. I know a guy can be misunderstood. I know he meant nothing malicious by it."
Malone said the boos didn't bother him, but that "it took some of the fun out of the game."
Perhaps that's why he had the poorest all-star showing of his career. Malone, a two-time all-star MVP, made only 2-of-8 shots from the field to finish with four points. He also had four rebounds in 20 minutes of play. The only Western Conference star to score less was Chris Gatling, who had one bucket for two points.
One highlight for the Mailman was in the first quarter when he blocked a layup attempt by Atlanta's shot-blocking artist Dikembe Mutombo, who waves his index finger as is to say "no, no" after each of his blocks.
"That felt great (blocking Mutombo). I should have done this to him," the Mailman said, while shaking his index finger a la the Hawks star.
Stockton had a better afternoon than his Jazz partner. He finished with 12 points - one off his personal All-Star high from '94 - and five assists in 20 minutes. He led the West in both scoring and assists through three quarters before sitting out the entire fourth.
Stockton was 5-of-6 from the floor, making both of his 3-pointers. He's now tied with Scottie Pippen for third place all-time in all-star treys with seven, behind only Magic Johnson (10) and Mark Price (9). He is now fifth in assists for all-star games with 69 for his career in nine appearances.