Karl Malone has often told local fans that all he wants is respect. But the Utah Jazz forward sure has a funny way of going about earning it.
Like going on "The Tonight Show" and generally acting like an idiot.If the Mailman wants a little respect, mugging his way through a phony confrontation with Dennis Rodman is certainly the way to earn very, very little.
Malone and his wrestling partner, Diamond Dallas Page, were Jay Leno's "surprise" guests on Wednesday's edition of "The Tonight Show." Their appearance was in response to regularly scheduled guest Dennis Rodman, who was accompanied by his wrestling partner, Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
Leno, with the complete lack of subtlety that has marked his career as a late-night host, goaded Rodman and Hogan into denigrating Malone.
"I watched him in the playoffs. I watched the big man for the Jazz getting in his face, getting in his space, and I watched Rodzilla take him down," Hogan said.
"I don't know what Karl's thinking about trying to come in the ring with Hollywood (and) Rodzilla," Rodman said, later adding, "Look at this, how in the hell is he going to beat me in the ring when he can't beat me on the court?"
When Leno asked Rodman if Malone is a wimp, he replied, "I called Karl a lot more than a wimp on the court, brother."
At which point Malone and Page strode on stage carrying folding chairs. (Rodman and Hogan had "beaten" Page with chairs at a recent World Wrestling Federation event in Detroit.)
Malone had little to say. He demonstrated a headlock on Leno, tried to look tough and took some mock pokes at Rodman. But the overall effect was foolishness in the extreme.
In a mere two minutes, the Mailman delivered himself up for ridicule.
(His return appearance on Thursday night was less embarrassing, at least in part because Leno was acting like such a goofball Malone seemed relatively subdued in comparison.)
It's not just that Malone is associating himself with something as silly as professional wrestling, which everyone with an ounce of sense knows is fake. (You don't have to take my word for it. The WWF has itself declared that it is not a sport but a form of theater - a form of theater with really bad actors.)
Malone is also associating himself with Rodman, one of the worst role models in professional sports.
Much to his credit, the Mailman has always taken his status as a role model seriously. He has even criticized others (including Charles Barkley) for their lack of concern about how what they do affects the kids who idolize them.
Well, not only will Malone be showing kids that violence (albeit mock violence) is the way to resolve problems, but by associating himself with Rodman, he is, in effect, endorsing that guy's behavior.
Malone's fans in Utah have seen him deeply involved in charitable work. They've seen his acts of kindness and concern toward many kids. They know there's more to the Mailman than just the guy who lost in two NBA Finals and is about to wrestle Dennis Rodman.
However, the rest of the country is going to be left with those two images of Malone.
If he wants to be remembered as Dennis Rodman's foil, fine. He just shouldn't expect to be showered with the respect he so craves.
SPEAKING THE TRUTH: Leno is a lousy interviewer, but he did elicit perhaps the most honest statement ever from Rodman.
"No, I don't think at all when I'm doing things," he said.
TALK ABOUT EMBARRASSING: Malone told Leno that he's pursuing his acting career by appearing in an upcoming episode of "Baywatch."
"Oh, I thought you were going to try some acting," Leno quipped.
INAPPROPRIATE: Leno needs to hire somebody with some sense of what's an appropriate subject for comedy and what isn't.
In his monologue on Wednesday, Leno referenced convicted infant killer Louise Woodward flying home to England.
"You know who I feel sorry for? Any crying baby on that flight," he said.
That's hilarious. A baby is dead and he's making jokes about it.