Basketball: 'Mailman' delivers his final notice

TORONTO - Karl Malone, the second-highest scorer in NBA history and twice league Most Valuable Player, ended his career yesterday where it all began, with the Utah Jazz.

Voted one of the 50 greatest players of all time, the 41-year-old forward officially announced his retirement, ending his Hall of Fame career with 36,928 points, bettered only by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387).

Known to fans round the world as the "Mailman", Malone spent 18 of his 19 seasons in a Jazz uniform, teaming with guard John Stockton to form one of basketball's most lethal partnerships.

"The reason we're here is for me to announce my retirement and make it official," said Malone.

"I grew here as a 'Jazzman'. If I'm fortunate enough to go into the Hall of Fame, I will go in as a 'Jazzman', with the old uniform and not the new one."

In an attempt to claim the NBA title that eluded him throughout his career, Malone signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, joining forces with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal and Gary Payton in a "dream team" line-up.

But his championship dream ended in a nightmare when the Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA finals.

Following knee surgery in the off-season, Malone considered signing with another team, but eventually decided to end his career.

"The all-time scoring title is not a big concern for me," he said. "The thing that will stick with me for the rest of my life is not winning a championship - I'm not going to lie to you.

"That was my ultimate goal, but that was a team goal, not an individual goal."

Malone said he had discussions with the San Antonio Spurs about joining the Western Conference leaders this season in one last-ditch bid to land the title.

"I did visit San Antonio on the way back home but when I got on the plane I knew that it was done, it was time," he said.

Karl Malone

* 36,928 points

* 18 of 19 NBA seasons with Utah Jazz

* Never won an NBA championship

- REUTERS