Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Monday, there are 43 days remaining.While Karl Malone's ring-chasing with the Lakers prevented the most prolific Jazz teammates from going into the Hall of Fame together, John Stockton and the Mailman have been honored as a pair before.
At the NBA's 43rd All-Star Game in Salt Lake City -- back in 1993, before the Jazz had ever made the Finals -- Stockton and Malone shared the MVP award as the West won 135-132. While home cookin' was certainly involved in Utah in Stockton's case, it was a nice touch for the media to split the award between the inseparable stars.
There have been previous instances of home players winning the All-Star MVP. In fact, last year Sun Shaquille O'Neal split the award with ol' buddy Kobe Bryant in Phoenix's hosting of the ASG. O'Neal's previously win, as a Lakers in 2004, came as the ASG was held in Los Angeles. Michael Jordan won the Chicago ASG MVP of 1988. Jerry West took 1972's MVP award after the game was played in L.A. It even extends to the ABA, where Dan Issel of the Kentucky Colonels won the ASG MVP in Louisville in '72.
Malone is a sure-fire HoFer when he's eligible for induction next year. Here's to hoping Springfield leaves room next to Stockton's booth for the Mailman, since these two dudes clearly should be remembered together.
