Retirement seems to be treating Karl Malone pretty well.
The Utah Jazz legend attended the team’s Summer League game against the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Thursday sporting a full-on beard.
LEGEND.@utahjazz | #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/YJCLHwN1bT
— NBA Summer League (@NBASummerLeague) July 13, 2018
Malone also made an appearance on the air with NBA TV broadcasters Stu Jackson and Kristen Ledlow. It was quite a spectacle, as Malone aired his grievances about the modern game, referred to himself in the third person numerous times and plugged his daughter’s cigar shop — among other things.
The bizarre appearance led to a lot of funny reactions from the Twittersphere.
OK, I don't feel so bad. Karl Malone just #WellActually'd the NBA TV crew pic.twitter.com/IeIrrwX1Rc
— Born Salty (@cjzero) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone basically saying get off my lawn for 20 minutes
— Tony Jones (@tribjazz) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone is on NBA TV saying that KD should go in the post instead of shooting jumpers
— Robby Valentino (@RobbyRav) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone looks like a gas station mechanic now. I almost didn't recognize him. #NBA #ESPN
— Be happy (@takenbreak) July 13, 2018
“You rest when you die” – Karl Malone
— Jazz Nation (@JazzNation2018) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone actually looks like a mailman now https://t.co/e0TCXNteH6
— Adam (@Adam__Flieger) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone just said the words “Karl Malone” 5 times in 60 seconds on @NBATV.
— Michael Smith (@brianfantana82) July 13, 2018
I watch it sometime… sometime I don watch it.
-Karl Malone, 7/12/18
— Big Trippin, spendin gs (@gregorytripp) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone on tv providing us with some horrendous takes my goodness
— Dub (@WMsDiary) July 13, 2018
Karl Malone yelling at clouds
— The summer of Rehab (@Quinceyjakarii) July 13, 2018
“Smoke them if you got them” – Karl Malone pic.twitter.com/yg84NMenu1
— GARLICK (@st_garlick) July 13, 2018
Things that have happened with Karl Malone on the broadcast:
he criticized a weak screen on a pick and roll
he said AAU is ruining the game
he said Players Only is “amazing”
he plugged his daughter’s cigar shop in RustonQuestion: can that segment receive and Emmy
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) July 13, 2018
Malone, now 54, retired in 2004 after 19 seasons in the NBA and after scoring the second-most points in league history. The last time that we saw him on the air a few years ago might have been just as bizarre too.
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