Carl Malone's Finals journey ended on his knees, as did his career.
At that moment, countless victims of his "iron elbows" were celebrating. People like David Robinson, whom he'd knocked into shock; Isaiah Thomas, who needed 40 stitches; Tim Duncan, who he'd flying-kicked… and countless other 'nobodies'.
Considering the way Carl Malone played, he deserved to go out like this.
The Lakers' team doctors had a grim prognosis. They carefully helped Carl Malone to his feet, settled him into a wheelchair, and pushed him away.
The network repeatedly played the replay of Malone's injury.
Even though he cut a pitiful figure as he was wheeled away, very few people felt any real sympathy for him.
In the words of Charles Barkley: "If Jack had gone for a layup just now instead of passing, the back of his head would've been split open. Never underestimate the power of Carl Malone's iron elbows."
