(Image Source: KSWB)
BY HANK KOEBLER
ANCHOR BRICE SANDER
The relationship between NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone and Utah Jazz owner Greg Miller has devolved into a public squabble. Malone sparked the controversy by airing his grievances over former coach Jerry Sloan’s resignation.
The Mailman told KSWB Sloan resigned because Miller wouldn’t let him discipline point-guard Deron Williams.
“In your opinion, do you feel Deron Williams played a big role in why coach Sloan stepped down?”
“Absolutely. Let’s just keep it real. I think he had something to do with it. Coach Sloan is a classy guy and he wasn’t going to fight the battle.”
Malone also claimed the Jazz refused to give him a ticket to a game, forcing him to buy from scalpers. Miller fired back -- first on Twitter and then on a blog post, calling Malone “high maintenance.” ESPN has more of Miller’s comments.
“The owner and CEO of the Jazz, Greg Miller, calling Karl Malone too unreliable and too unstable to help the team as an assistant coach, and claimed the two-time M.V.P. lied about having to use a scalper to purchase tickets to a Jazz game.”
The feud reignited the year-old controversy over Sloan’s sudden mid-season resignation last year. Many, including Malone, say when disagreements between Sloan and Williams boiled over, management sided with the player over the coach.
Sloan issued a statement saying stories of a forced resignation simply aren’t true. AOL has his comments.
"I left on my own volition. It is not true that the Millers undermined my authority as head coach. I had their complete backing to run the team as I wished and was assured that no player could ever overrule my decisions."
Fans have been taking sides on Twitter and other social media in response to the public bickering. Local writers and personalities offered their take on the dispute as well:
A sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted:
“Greg Miller just entered a no-win zone, in my opinion.”
Sports agent Steve Kauffman criticized Malone, writing:
“...most of us who have been around know this is a guy that likes to hear himself talk. Actual veracity be damned.”
And another sports editor tried to be the voice of reason.
“In [a] situation like this, everyone could be sincere and telling truth as they see it. Because much of that belief is based on own perception.”
A Yahoo! Sports blogger says the public disagreements better be settled quickly, because they’re making the whole franchise look bad.
“Nobody looks good here. From Sloan to Malone to Deron Williams to Miller to Jazz GM Kevin O'Conner (who is, we should point out, quite good at his job) or to anyone who buys either side as an absolute… This needs to go away, and soon.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/utah-owner-strikes-back-karl-malone-163025407.html
