Malone will never work for the Jazz organization

[Fido]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/534 ... r.html.csp
Monson: A year later, Karl Malone calls out the Jazz on Jerry Sloan’s exit

First thing I find funny about Monson's column this morning is he is rehashing his radio show contents from a week ago. I guess they didn't get enough attention then. Or its a slow news day talking about the current team.

Malone is burning all bridges between the current Jazz organization and himself by making accusations publicly about the 3rd hand version of events that he heard around Sloan's dismissal. He calls out both Greg Miller and Kevin O'Connor. The story recounts how O'Connor called in during the 4 hour railing to refute Malone's version of events since KOC was present the whole time. Even then Malone and Monson claim O'Connor is being less than honest about it. (My thought is if things really went as Malone claims, isn't Phil Johnson a traitor to Sloan for going back to work for the team doing analysis and color commentary? But I digress...)

Regardless of your feelings about Sloan's departure and whether things were handled appropriately or not, one thing is for sure. This is not the old Larry Miller Jazz. Malone and Larry used to have these sometimes public bashing sessions but then in the end always came together and landed on the same page. They had a special relationship no doubt that would often bring Larry to tears when he talked about it. But Greg is not Larry. Kevin is not Larry. Malone can treat them the way he periodically treated Larry--and even take some of the same in return. But I don't see the lovefest circling back to make things all right. Why would it? The owner-player relationship was that tie but neither Kevin or Greg have that same relationship with Malone. They have respect but not that personal connection that let's them get past this. Why would they? The Malone-Miller relationship was special.

By giving the radio and newspaper bash-the-current-Jazz-organization fodder weeks before the anniversary of when Sloan left the team in the middle of the night, Malone is cementing another legacy. That of being a team legend but not necessarily a positive influence or someone you want having the team's ear.

The Jazz organization is about trusting people in their position and supporting one another in building up the team. Malone appears determined to divide and blame. The personality doesn't match the team culture. For that reason I don't see Malone ever holding a position, coaching or otherwise, with the Jazz.

Thoughts?

[idajazz]

I think I just gained more respect for Malone.
Atleast he has the nards to tell the truth.
I never for one second bought the whole Sloan just was tired B.S.
That was not Sloan, not even close.
If that were the case, and his leaving was on his terms with nothing else then Phil would have stayed.
Jerry Sloan was pissed off and said F.U. plain and simple.
Gotta love Karl for calling it like it is.

[BarneyGumble]

I dont understand why a guy who played for you for 18 seasons, won two MVPs, dragged you to the NBA Finals and gave you a great chance to beat the best of all-time, and is arguably the best EVER at his position......

has to buy a ticket from a scalper to get in to a game.

The current Utah Jazz organization is pathetic.

[Lava Rock Kid]

I believe malone, I am sure he got his story from either phil or Jerry. Both Phil and Jerry wont rock the boat, but Malone will.

What part of Derons whining to management about sloan dont you believe. He is on record complaining alot through the press.

[BJSmiles]

Malone is an idiot. A phenomenal basketball player yes, but an idiot. He will say anything to get attention. What he is saying MAY be true, but I can't give any weight to anything he ever says.

Also, if anybody doesn't think it was a time for a major change, then I don't know what you thought would happen with more time of Sloan coaching. He was tired and disinterested. Who can imagine the medical conditions he would have suffered knowing he would have a rookie SG running the back-up point for at least one game...

[Amish Mafioso]

I love Karl for what he did for the Jazz, but I don't want him anywhere near our players. I agree with the OP. If Karl ever had any chance of working for the Jazz in any capacity, those bridges are burned. Have fun driving yer truck, Karl.

[Fido]

I believe malone, I am sure he got his story from either phil or Jerry. Both Phil and Jerry wont rock the boat, but Malone will...

The story specifically says:

...It’s a sequence that has never been publicly detailed by any of the handful of people in the meeting. But it has been confirmed this week by a confidant of someone in the meeting who was told what occurred...

That is third hand. So it didn't come from Sloan or Phil. In fact, later it gets more specific:

...I have asked both Sloan and Johnson, and they refused to comment. The aforementioned confidant with knowledge of the postgame meeting contradicted O’Connor’s version of what took place to this extent: He said Sloan “definitely felt undermined...”

So the confidant is not saying O'Connor is lying--just that Sloan felt undermined the way things played out. It very well may have played out exactly how O'Connor said but Jerry felt it was hollow. That doesn't make Greg Miller or KOC liars--it makes them less good at soothing Sloan's perceptions than Larry was.
My opinion is Malone is taking too strong a stance due to his personal feelings for Sloan and Monson is jumping on the opportunity to talk controversy (his forte).

[StocktonShorts]

Phil Johnson was on the radio this morning and said Monson never called him, didn't ask him anything. He was very upset that the article said he refused to comment. He referred to Monson's article as "offline" by which I think he meant off-base.

He had nothing but good things to say about the Jazz organization. He also said they offered him the job but he turned them down. He also made it very clear that he's done with coaching.

[carrottop12]

Yikes, anyone see Greg Miller's last tweet?

Hey Karl- you're lying. You have my number. Next time you need a seat to a Jazz game, call me. You can have mine.

Well this sucks.

[laytonjazzfan]

^Yeah, this is turning ugly fast.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

[Fido]

Monson falsifying and Malone telling half-truths. Who figured.

[BJSmiles]

Yikes, anyone see Greg Miller's last tweet?

Hey Karl- you're lying. You have my number. Next time you need a seat to a Jazz game, call me. You can have mine.

Well this sucks.

I KNEW there was no way he had to scalp to get his own ticket. Karl is full of it...

[stevebozell]

Monson just tweeted saying that he DID ask Phil, and that he is flat out lying. My only qualm is, Phil is being paid by the organization...I wouldnt expect him to throw them under the bus now. Either way, Millers tweet was pathetic, for the owner of an NBA franchise. He is clearly a down grade from his father.

[UtahJazzV4FTW]

My only thought: if you felt a company treated your best friend who you worked with for over twenty years poorly, would you go back to work for them a few months later?

My only other thought(s): Monson is an idiot. Deron wore Sloan out. End of story.

[Litany]

Monson just tweeted saying that he DID ask Phil, and that he is flat out lying. My only qualm is, Phil is being paid by the organization...I wouldnt expect him to throw them under the bus now. Either way, Millers tweet was pathetic, for the owner of an NBA franchise. He is clearly a down grade from his father.

And Monson has no reason to lie amirite!

Did you expect Monson to say "he's right, I didn't ask him, I made that part of my article up"

[stevebozell]

Monson is reporting on what Malone said, why would he need to lie about anything? Monson annoys me as much as anybody, but if what Malone said is true the Jazz management looks very bad, so they would have a reason to lie.

[Matt007b]

I think it's time both sides made up.. invite Karl to the game and sit right by Greg .. talk it over...be nice, they're both super uber rich - it's nothing to get upset about.

I don't think many deny that Sloan and Deron had issues, and it's totally fine that Malone gives his opinion on that (he's probably right.. )

Anyway - hopefully that bridge is not burned and can be repaired. I wouldn't want Malone on the coaching staff but I hate to see ex-jazz players and the owner going through this sort of thing..

[stevebozell]

I think it's time both sides made up.. invite Karl to the game and sit right by Greg .. talk it over...be nice, they're both super uber rich - it's nothing to get upset about.

I don't think many deny that Sloan and Deron had issues, and it's totally fine that Malone gives his opinion on that (he's probably right.. )

Anyway - hopefully that bridge is not burned and can be repaired. I wouldn't want Malone on the coaching staff but I hate to see ex-jazz players and the owner going through this sort of thing..

I agree 100%.

[Litany]

Monson is reporting on what Malone said, why would he need to lie about anything? Monson annoys me as much as anybody, but if what Malone said is true the Jazz management looks very bad, so they would have a reason to lie.

What? Reread your post. You were taking about Phil.

[stevebozell]

Phil is part of the organization, which is what I meant to say.