Karl Malone went on Huff Post Live today, and host Marc Lamont Hill asked him about his relationship with Kobe Bryant. For those who don't remember (or are too young to remember) 2004, Bryant accused Malone of making a pass at his wife Vanessa. From the ESPN story at the time:

Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, told the Los Angeles Times on Sunday that Malone was asked by Vanessa Bryant, "Hey, cowboy, what are you hunting?" in reference to Malone wearing a cowboy hat and boots. "She said it twice," Manley said, "and Karl answered, 'I'm hunting for little Mexican girls.' "


There is a lot more in the story, but yikes. Anyways, Malone tells Hill "if Kobe don't like me today, that's Kobe Bryant's fault" but adds "I come in peace, but I do prepare for war if I have to." Malone says that, in the 10 years since they were teammates, the extent of their interactions has been saying "what's up?" and nodding as they pass by each other. But when Hill asks Malone if he feels tension, you really get the sense that the 51-year-old would like to try beating the crap out of Kobe:

Malone: You gotta understand, Marc, I'm a hunter, so I'm already right there anyways. ... I love Westerns. I'm old school Western. Back in the day when you had a beef, you didn't get guns and knives, you just "hey Marc, I got a problem." We just go in the back with no cameras, no nothing, let's just knuckle up and get it over with. Hill: Did you ever make that offer to Kobe? Malone No, but it's standing.

Malone later added "I'm 6'9", 272, to be exact. I'm not hard to find. I don't want no trouble, but if something gotta go down, I'm not playing fair. We gotta get down, then we gotta get down, I'm just telling you."


Can somebody get these two in a ring together already?