May 19, 1999
A Karl Malone elbow in Tuesday night's big game packed a big wallop!
It also came equipped with a hefty fine.
And now, the Mailman checks in with a special delivery response.
Sports Specialist Tom Kirkland has that exclusive interview.
The NBA overruled the game referees Wednesday. In a move that's more symbolic than substance, the Mailman's been fined $10,000 for elbowing Portland's Brian Grant in the second quarter of Tuesday night's series-opening win. Funny thing about the incident, Grant was actually called for fouling.
The NBA stepped in today after looking at game videotape. On Karl's normal follow through, his elbow appeared to catch Grant in the mouth. Brian goes down, Karl goes to the foul line.
This evening in an exclusive interview with Sports Specialist Kathy Aiken, Karl reacted to the $10,000 fine.
Kathy: "First of all, give us your reaction to finding out about the fine."
Karl: "Well, first of all, nothing surprises me, really and truly."
Kathy: "But you had to be angry. Weren't you a little bit angry?"
Karl: "The way I found out about it. After 14 years.. a 12 time All-Star or whatever you call it, and I find out-- oh, by the way-- I find out from Greg Beck. He calls and says, 'Oh, by the way, you see what's on the wire right now?'"
"I didn't even find out from the Jazz organization, and they have every number of mine. So I didn't understand that. It's like, am I like a two year player here, or am I a 14 year vet?"
"But what I did was, to get my head clear, I hopped on my Harley and I took a ride. And I said, 'Okay, how do I want to look at this?' And I said, 'I'm not going to stop the way I'm playing.'"
Kathy: "Any fear, Karl, that the refereeing Thursday night will focus so much on you that you'll play differently?"
Karl: "No, not at all, I think because I can't allow myself to play any differently. I've been playing this way for 14 years. And maybe they think I'll play different tomorrow. But no, not at all because I got a job to do. I'm not going to let it be a side show. I'm just going to go out and play my game. I could go crazy, or I can pay my $10,000 and keep my focus. I choose to do that."
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NBA Fines Malone
