According to his agent, two injuries that will not prevent Karl Malone from playing in the Jazz's next four games will keep him from participating in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game.
Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, is citing back and finger injuries as the reason Malone will not the play in the 49th All-Star affair, scheduled Feb. 13 in Oakland.
Kevin O'Connor, the Jazz's vice president of basketball operations, said the injuries are the only reason Malone does not plan to play, and the decision — which Jazz officials themselves had not finalized as of Wednesday night — has nothing to do with the Mailman being upset over the All-Star selection process.
Last week, Malone expressed frustration over both the way voting went and the way it was conducted — including references to the league's penchant for promoting young, up-and-coming, but relatively unproven, stars.
"This is a physical issue, and that's all," O'Connor said. "It's not a statement by Karl. I do know that."
Manley, too, said the decision is unrelated to Malone's frustrations.
"It's something different people have speculated about," he said, "but the fact remains he did miss a significant portion of training camp due to a strained back."
Malone refused to answer questions about whether he planned to play.
"Call up God, why don't you ask God," was all Malone would answer when asked at Thursday's shootaround if he'd play in the All-Star game.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, meanwhile, did not know if the NBA would take any action against his star power forward if he doesn't play.
Jazz officials apparently did not learn of Malone's decision until after comments were made by Manley to ESPN NBA reporter David Aldridge, who broke the news Wednesday afternoon on the cable TV network's ESPN.com internet site.
The NBA has been made aware of the development, Manley said, and that is one reason Malone made the decision so early.
"Pending the advice of his doctors," Manley said, "he thought it would be appropriate to make this decision now, so the league could have time to name a replacement player."
O'Connor said he did not know if the decision might be reversed, and said that it would be made final only after all involved parties — including Malone, Jazz trainer Mike Shimensky, various physicians and the league — were consulted.
"Thank goodness it came out now," O'Connor said, "so that we can all get it in front of us."
Malone, the reigning NBA MVP, finished fifth among forwards in fan balloting for the Western Conference team that will be start the All-Star Game.
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and San Antonio's Tim Duncan were named starters at forward on Saturday. On Tuesday, Malone — who finished less than 2,000 votes ahead of sixth-place Shareef Abdur-Rahim in fan balloting — was chosen (along with Jazz point guard John Stockton) by Western Conference coaches to go to Oakland as a reserve.
The apparent aggravation of his back injury may prevent him, however, from honoring his 12th All-Star Game selection.
Malone, who did not return calls Wednesday, missed much of training camp and most of the preseason due to a strained lower back. He returned in time for the regular season, and has not missed any game time because of the back — which he has often said should not be considered an issue in his play.
But on Monday, in a 106-94 loss to Seattle that marked the Jazz's fourth straight loss, Malone collided with referee Phil Robinson while going for a loose ball.
The two fell awkwardly against a seating platform located just behind one of the baselines at the Delta Center. Robinson hit his head, and briefly left the game before returning. Malone, who initially seemed to favor his elbow more than his back after the incident, resumed playing and finished with 26 points, just more than his season scoring average.
O'Connor said Malone intends to rest the sore back during the All-Star break, but the injury should not keep him from playing in the Jazz's four games until then — including tonight's against Milwaukee at the Delta Center.
Manley said Malone aggravated the back injury when he fell Tuesday. He also cited a finger injury that Malone has battled for some time, and said he will see medical specialists in both Arkansas (where Malone owns a ranch) and California during the break.
"It's a strained back that he not only needs to rest it, but seek treatment and therapy for it too," he said.
O'Connor said Malone hurt a finger when he hit it against the rim in a recent game (a loss at Portland last Thursday), and that apparently contributes to his decision against playing in Oakland.
"It's part of it," O'Connor said. "That's just something he'd like to have seen by a specialist."