Basketbrawl | Suite101.com

A one-game suspension and a US$5,000 fine. That's all Karl Malone received after "unintentionally" elbowing Spurs All-Star David Robinson in the head, rendering him unconscious. If that was anyone other than Karl Malone - for argument's sake, say Dennis Rodman - they would definitely have received a much harsher penalty. Let's just do the math. David Robinson is 7'1", Karl Malone is 6'9". Unintentionally seems a tad bit understated, since Karl would have had to make a concerted effort to push his elbow that high to actually reach David's head.

This is a choice example of the double standard that has applied to Karl Malone, at least for the last 12 years. Throughout each game that I have watched, I have seen Karl Malone bully his way from end to end, with total disregard to the rules and regulations that govern the entire league.

I challenge anyone to watch a Utah game and count how many violations Karl Malone gets away with. I'm not even going to start with John Stockton.

On another unrelated issue, since it is nearing the end of the regular season, different players are saying that they are not coming back to their respective teams (i.e., Scottie Pippen), and the first lot of draft-cap players are reaching the end of their contracts. I thought that I would give my views, and hopefully give you people out there some info that you might not have heard before, or may have forgotten.

Class of '95-'96

The likes of Smith, Iverson, Stackhouse, Stoudamire, McDyess are all up for renewal in the '98-'99 season. Philadelphia seems to have made an expensive investment for next season, having both Allen Iverson and Joe Smith playing out the last year of their rookie contracts, as well as having Derrick Coleman ending his current contract this season. The question to be asked is, which of them will be back? Iverson has been quoted as saying he wants to play out his career with old friend Joe Smith, but Mike said he wouldn't be back after he retired, so what are you to believe? Iverson has also been publicly unhappy with the Sixers, and who can blame him? Everyone wants to win. Whether he is partly to blame won't be an issue, I think, when it comes time for Rookie of the Year ('96-'97) to put pen to paper.

Derrick Coleman is also rumoured to be unhappy at Philly, earning all that money and all. So I wouldn't be surprised if he was in another uniform next season, if anyone wants to pay the former Rookie of the Year what he will want to be paid.

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