“Let’s Just Knuckle Up And Get It Over With”: When Karl Malone Challenged Kobe Bryant to a Fistfight

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had an unparalleled work ethic when he played in the NBA. His mental strength and physical toughness paved the way for him to become one among the greatest of all time. Kobe garnered a lot of respect in his time, but also engaged in altercations with his colleagues in the league. 

Karl Malone, who is undoubtedly a legend, is also the second on the list for most points scored in the NBA. With a plethora of achievements behind his name, one could expect Malone to act with charm and a tinge of poise to add to his personality. Contrastingly, he is more of a guy who likes to call out people through the media and flirt with his teammate’s wives.

Yes, the story of Karl Malone flirting with Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, is shocking. As a fan, it was a bit unexpected reading about Malone. But that is just who he is. He had a beef with Kobe after his incident with Vanessa, but the Mamba reconciled with Malone with the former acting as a bigger man in that incident.

Karl Malone in an interview with HuffPost Live, back in 2015, brought back his relationship status with Kobe. He wasn’t talking about all the good times they had and brought out his tough-guy persona in front of the camera. 

Karl Malone’s long-standing offer for Kobe Bryant

Karl Malone played alongside Kobe Bryant for just one season, but he seems to have a lot to talk about his former teammate. “If Kobe don’t like me today, that’s Kobe Bryant’s fault, it ain’t mine,” Malone said. “I come in peace, but I do prepare for war if I have to.”

In between his beef talk, there was one moment of praise from Malone to Kobe. “Other than John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek, [Kobe Bryant] is the most professional athlete I have ever been around.”

The Jazz legend also mentioned that after his retirement, he and Kobe only spoke to each other knowing that the conversation wasn’t going to last for more than ten seconds. Malone even had a solution to settle the beef with Kobe, if the latter had any. 

“I love Western. I’m old-school Western, Malone began. Back in the day when you had a beef, you didn’t go get guns or knives. You just ‘Hey Mark, I’ve got a problem.’ We’d just go in the back, no cameras, no nothing and let’s just knuckle up and get it over with.” 

“Did you ever make that offer to Kobe?” asked the interviewer. “Well but, it is standing,” Malone replied. From his response, it was evident that Malone was ready for a fistfight if the late Mamba wanted to. 

The two time MVP even listed his height and weight and mentioned that he is never hard to spot. However, their fight never happened. Why Malone and Kobe Bryant never got along even after so many years still remains a mystery.