I love Karl Malone. He, more than Larry Bird or Michael Jordan, and John Stockton were my sports heroes growing up in SLC in the 80's. They came to work everyday, played hard, and played the game the right way - with a couple of nasty elbows and body bumps thrown in.
Since John and Karl retired the NBA has gone deeper into a thug league, the gangsta image is alive and well. How do you combat that when the brightest stars are flashing bling, covering themselves with tattoos, and now pointing guns at each other in the locker room? It has made the game unwatchable.
The latest incident is that Gilbert Arenas, a member of the Washington Wizards, brought handguns to the locker room and after a gambling argument with a teammate, presented him with three guns to shoot it out.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. That type of behavior should ensure that Gilbert Arenas never owns another gun in his life.
Karl Malone, a gun advocate and responsible owner, wrote an article for Sports Illustrated about athletes and guns. I loved the article because it focuses on the accountability that most gun owners feel and the responsibility they take upon themselves when purchasing, owning, and carrying a weapon. A must read.
Thank you Karl Malone for telling the truth and, I can't believe I am saying this, articulating what so many responsible gun owners feel.
I totally agree. Malone and Stockton added something to the game that the leauge has yet to be able to recover. I think also what we are seeing is the new 20 something generation. Anyone can be famous and rich fast and for less than superiour reasons. Instant gratification and little to no accountability. It's a tad scary.
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