Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone have had an unresolved rift between them for years. It dates back to the final season of Karl Malone’s career when he joined Kobe and the Lakers in an attempt to win a championship before he retired. Malone during a Lakers game made some comments to Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant that he thought was light-hearted joking that Kobe felt was more serious. Kobe characterized it as Malone ‘making a pass’ at his wife. Given the fact that Malone’s wife and Vanessa Bryant got along quite well and were friendly, this made the whole dynamic with the four quite awkward.
Well in the years since, every time Karl Malone sits down with the media they ask him about the status of his relationship with Bryant. In today’s Huffington Sports interview with Malone it was no different. However Malone didn’t shy away from the question, in fact he let it all hang out. Basically calling on Bryant to go with him in a backroom and brawl their problems away. Knuckle up. Here are the highlights, with the video excerpt after the jump….
While he doesn’t harbor ill feelings toward Bryant today, Malone said he’s still willing to sort things out between them.
“We had a little issue,” Malone told host Marc Lamont Hill. “I don’t hold grudges … I love Westerns. I’m old-school Western. Back in the day, when you had a beef, you didn’t go get guns and knives … we just go back in the back with no cameras and knuckle up. Get it over with.”
Hill pressed Malone if he offered Bryant that route to resolution.
“It’s a standing offer,” Malone said. “Look, I don’t want no trouble. I don’t have a problem. People say whatever they want to say and that’s great. I’m 6-9, 272 [pounds] to be exact. I’m not hard to find. I don’t want no trouble. But if something got to go down, I’m not playing fair.”
For the record. Kobe can play some ball, and then some. But my money is on Malone to win this fight. And so should yours if you want to keep it.
