The 2004 Lakers were one of the most interesting teams of all-time. The ironic thing is even though they were dysfunctional they made it to the Finals. If Karl Malone wasn’t injured it might have been a different outcome (the Pistons won in 5). You had Kobe fighting a rape case during the season. You had Shaq and Kobe fighting. You had Gary Payton hating the triangle. Lastly, you had this incident between Kobe and Karl Malone (you notice how a lot of these stories involved Kobe).
The Kobe Bryant-Karl Malone feud has turned personal, with Bryant accusing Malone of making a pass at his wife at a Lakers game.
Rob Pelinka, the agent for Bryant, told ESPN.com on Sunday night that Malone made “several inappropriate comments” to Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, on Nov. 23 at a Los Angeles Lakers home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Kobe and Karl had a true friendship, much more than teammates,” Pelinka said. “Their wives are quite friendly as well. Kobe has told me that he feels very hurt and betrayed by what has happened.”
Malone, in Arkansas working at his logging farm, declined to address accusations by Bryant.
“Misery loves company,” Malone told USA Today in Tuesday’s edition. “This is a Hollywood soap opera, and I’m not going to be a star in another Bryant soap opera.”
Malone also said his wife, Kay, responded privately by letter Monday to the Bryants and Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
Malone’s agent, Dwight Manley, told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that Malone was asked by Vanessa Bryant, “Hey, cowboy, what are you hunting?” in reference to Malone wearing a cowboy hat and boots.
“She said it twice,” Manley said, “and Karl answered, ‘I’m hunting for little Mexican girls.’ “
Fast forward to today and Malone was on Huffington Post Live and was asked if he and Kobe were cool. He had a lot to say on the issue.
“We had a little issue,” Malone told host Marc Lamont Hill. “I don’t hold grudges … I love Westerns. I’m old-school Western. Back in the day, when you had a beef, you didn’t go get guns and knives … we just go back in the back with no cameras and knuckle up. Get it over with.”
Hill pressed Malone if he offered Bryant that route to resolution.
“It’s a standing offer,” Malone said. “Look, I don’t want no trouble. I don’t have a problem. People say whatever they want to say and that’s great. I’m 6-9, 272 [pounds] to be exact. I’m not hard to find. I don’t want no trouble. But if something got to go down, I’m not playing fair.”
Kobe can’t knuckle up currently, because his shoulder is in a sling.