Sports
Karl Malone Named His All-Time NBA Starting 5
It’s always fascinating to hear what NBA players think about their fellow stars. It becomes even more compelling when an NBA icon speaks on another legend from the same era, especially when the two shared a heated rivalry. Karl Malone once appeared on the Dan Patrick Show and shared his opinion on longtime rival Michael Jordan.
To say the reaction was negative would be an understatement. Malone raised eyebrows by excluding Jordan from his all-time starting lineup, despite MJ widely being viewed as one of the greatest players ever. Making that decision back in 2013 looked especially questionable because LeBron James was still in the earlier stages of building his own GOAT argument.
Malone and Jordan spent much of the 1990s battling for MVP awards and NBA championships. Although Malone established himself as one of the league’s elite forwards, Jordan consistently stood in the way of ultimate success. Their rivalry peaked in 1997 and 1998, when Jordan and the Bulls defeated Malone’s Jazz in consecutive NBA Finals, preventing Karl from ever capturing a championship ring.
Still, if Malone was going to leave Jordan out, fans expected a nearly flawless lineup in return. Here’s the team he selected.
John Stockton
Point Guard
Unsurprisingly, Malone selected longtime teammate John Stockton to run the point. The two spent 18 seasons together in Utah and formed one of the most effective duos in NBA history. While many fans would probably choose Magic Johnson or Stephen Curry at point guard, Stockton’s resume remains incredibly impressive.
Stockton still owns the NBA records for both career steals (3,265) and assists (15,806). He sits far ahead of Chris Paul in each category, leading by more than 500 steals and over 3,300 assists. Those records may stand for decades. Among qualified players, only Magic Johnson averaged more assists per game than Stockton’s remarkable 10.5 mark.
Over the years, some critics have questioned the accuracy of scorekeeping during Stockton’s era, suggesting his assist and steal totals may have been boosted. Regardless, the numbers remain official and unmatched.
For his career, Stockton averaged 13.1 points and 10.5 assists per game, making him one of only two players in NBA history to average a points-assists double-double over an entire career. Malone clearly valued Stockton’s elite court vision, considering how many easy baskets the guard created for him across nearly two decades.
His leadership, passing precision, and defensive instincts earned Stockton a spot in Malone’s unconventional all-time lineup.
Oscar Robertson
Shooting Guard
For shooting guard, Malone chose Oscar Robertson, another selection that sparked debate. Still, Robertson’s greatness is sometimes overlooked by younger fans, making the pick easier to understand. The Big O entered the league in 1960 with the Cincinnati Royals and immediately became one of basketball’s most versatile stars.
Robertson finished his career averaging 25.7 points, 9.5 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game. As a six-foot-five guard, he revolutionised the position with his ability to score, facilitate, and rebound at elite levels. He opened his career with eight straight seasons, averaging at least 28 points per game while consistently finishing near the top of MVP voting.
He also became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double over a full season during the 1961-62 campaign.
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That achievement stood untouched for more than five decades until Russell Westbrook replicated it in 2016-17. In many ways, Westbrook’s relentless style mirrors Robertson’s all-around dominance. Both players relied on explosive athleticism, nonstop energy, and versatility to overwhelm opponents.
Robertson remains one of the most complete players the NBA has ever seen. Even though modern conversations don’t mention him as often, his impact on the game and statistical excellence are impossible to ignore. He also played a major role in the 1971 Milwaukee Bucks title team alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Scottie Pippen
Small Forward
This is where Malone’s list became especially controversial. Not only did he exclude Jordan from the lineup entirely, but he selected Scottie Pippen at small forward. Malone defended the choice by pointing out that Pippen led the Bulls in nearly every major statistical category during Jordan’s brief retirement from basketball.
There’s no denying Pippen thrived during Jordan’s baseball hiatus, earning consecutive All-NBA First Team honours and proving he could lead a contender. Even so, ranking him above Jordan on an all-time team remains difficult for many fans to accept.
Pippen was a phenomenal two-way player and a critical part of Chicago’s six championships, but he was generally viewed as the second option whenever Jordan was on the floor. Malone’s decision here seemed to reflect the lingering tension from their fierce battles in the 1990s.
LeBron James
Power Forward
At power forward, Malone selected LeBron James, joking that he had a “man-crush” on the superstar. At the time of the interview in 2013, James was dominating the NBA with the Miami Heat and had already established himself as one of the greatest players ever.
LeBron was coming off back-to-back championships and MVP seasons while showcasing perhaps the most complete skill set the league had ever seen. His combination of size, speed, basketball IQ, and improved scoring arsenal made him nearly unstoppable during his prime years.
Many fans who watched James from the late 2000s through 2020 believe he belongs firmly in the conversation for greatest player ever. Still, Malone’s decision to shift LeBron to power forward instead of his natural small forward role made the omission of Jordan stand out even more.
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Regardless of where someone ranks him historically, James unquestionably deserved inclusion on Malone’s list.
Wilt Chamberlain
Center
Rather than placing himself at center, Malone chose Wilt Chamberlain, one of the most statistically dominant athletes in sports history. While Chamberlain won only two NBA championships during an era ruled by Bill Russell’s Celtics, his individual production remains almost impossible to comprehend.
Wilt retired with career averages of 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 54% from the field. His legendary accomplishments include a 100-point game and seasons averaging over 50 points per contest. For much of his early career, Chamberlain consistently posted numbers that looked more like video game stats than real-life performances.
At seven-foot-one and 275 pounds, Chamberlain also possessed incredible athleticism for his size. Even by today’s standards, he would likely dominate physically. His unmatched production and ability to overwhelm opponents ensure his place in virtually every all-time discussion, regardless of era.
EA’s impressive slate of overhauls has continued with its most popular mode, Ultimate Team. A staple of EA’s football game series, the mode has transformed over the years, bringing consistent engagement and revenue since its debut in 2009.
Despite its overwhelming popularity, some gamers still avoid the temptation to make microtransactions within Ultimate Team in order to secure rare cards. However, it seems that the developers have considered this drawback in their plans for the game mode in EA Sports FC 27. Through some of the improvements and changes, this year’s edition of Ultimate Team is shaping up to be highly accessible in more ways than one.
Increased Single-Player Rewards
With most games nowadays, the emphasis is always online. Ultimate Team’s multiplayer hub offers rewards through the likes of Rivals and Champions, meaning that players who prefer single-player mode might be missing out. But in this year’s edition, single-player Live Events will be added to balance out the playing field.
One such event confirmed to be included is the Champions League, building from the opening round to the final. The player will progress through increasing in-game difficulties, reliving the 2025/26 campaign. If the player makes it to the final, they will face current champions Paris Saint-Germain on Ultimate difficulty.
FUT Gallery
This brand-new feature for EA Sports FC 27 is every sticker-collecting football fan’s virtual dream. Every card earned in Ultimate Team will be available to view in your own personal gallery, regardless of whether you keep or sell the card. “FUT Gallery turns your club into a living trophy room featuring your favourite players and graded sets and earns you rewards as you grow your club,” revealed EA in their FUT deep dive video.
There’s also the ability to complete card collections, which are based off leagues, teams, and types of rare card. The types of cards that the player possesses will contribute to an overall gallery grade, ranging from D, C, B, A, and S. Levelling up the FUT Gallery will result in some unique rewards, such as kits, badges, and Gallery Tokens. The crème de la crème of the rewards is the all-new Holographic card, which features the player’s signature and increases the gallery’s points.
The Gallery Tokens can be spent in the Gallery store to acquire the 17 Hall of Fame FUT cards available at the game’s launch. The likes of Hulk, Adebayo Akinfenwa, and Marouane Fellaini are among the Hall of Fame players.
Player Evolutions Expanded
Player evolutions are expanding within Ultimate Team. The six evolution states are here to stay, but players will have the option to tailor each of those stages. The choices available include stat boosts, PlayStyles, and visual upgrades. This has also resulted in more diverse meta ratings.
EA have also added the ability to preview evolution chains before locking them in. This will provide players with more opportunities to experiment with PlayStyles to build customised cards that complement their style of gameplay.
Easier SBCs
SBCs (Squad Building Challenges) have long been a tried-and-tested method for earning all kinds of rewards, from coins to packs, and even rare and exclusive player cards. But the one major criticism is the time it takes to complete an SBC. But EA’s revamp is expected to rectify this issue.
Overall squad rating and chemistry, the bane of every FUT player, have been kicked to the kerb. Instead, players now only have to meet the requisite squad score to complete an SBC. “No more tinkering with chemistry or requirements,” says EA. “Now you simply add items to fill this progress and any eligible items will automatically appear, so you can complete SBCs without searching your club. A player score will dictate how much they contribute to these new SBCs.”
FUT Swap Tokens
FUT Swap Tokens were last seen in FIFA 23, before making a return in EA Sports FC 26 last year. The in-game currency allowed players to unlock premium rewards, and EA are set to make them a more central, versatile part of gameplay in Ultimate Team this year.
“Tokens are another big part of rewarding you for how you play FUT. We introduced tokens in FC26 to help centralise your progress towards rewards across Ultimate Team. And we’re taking that a step forward this year,” explained EA. “Tokens will play a major role in campaigns across FC27. And you’ll be able to earn tokens in whatever parts of Ultimate Team you enjoy the most.
Real Madrid have undergone a dramatic culture shift behind the scenes, with new manager Jose Mourinho tearing up the old rulebook covering everything from nutrition and discipline to injury recovery.
Players who previously enjoyed near-total freedom over how they organised their days are now operating under a far stricter regime, one designed to stamp the new coach’s identity on every corner of the club.
The changes for Los Blancos cover far more than what happens on the training pitch, touching on almost every aspect of a player’s daily life at the club’s training complex, as they embark on a season where winning trophies is essential, after two years without one.
Jose Mourinho Overhauls Rules at Real Madrid
Mourinho studied the setup at Valdebebas upon arrival before concluding the system needed tighter control, according to Spanish outlet AS. It appears Mourinho isn’t applying these rules for the sake of being strict and to challenge the larger-than-life personalities among the Madrid ranks. Instead, they’re being enforced with rigour and conviction, with team spirit sitting at the heart of his project.
The club underlined that point by sharing a photo of every player and staff member eating together, a scene rarely noticed before.
Sources inside the club said:
“He wants to strengthen team spirit and unity, and it is going in a way that is generating excitement,” while others described the current atmosphere as “very good.”
Indeed, the players are said to have met the changes with satisfaction and positivity.
Real Madrid’s New Nutrition and Discipline Rules Explained
The three changes are based on nutrition, discipline, and recovery.
Nutrition has also changed significantly. The club nutritionist no longer simply offers advice but now prepares mandatory, pre-set menus for breakfast and snacks, with every meal built around athletic performance rather than personal taste. Despite the shift, it’s been reported that there is no unrest in the dressing room, with players said to have welcomed the changes.
Discipline follows a similar pattern. Rather than fines, sanctions now involve individual gym sessions away from the group, while every player must arrive at Valdebebas a full hour before training, with no exceptions for lateness.
Recovery has been centralised too, with all programmes, including those involving personal trainers, now carried out under club supervision. External treatment is no longer permitted, marking a clear break from the freedom players had grown used to before Mourinho’s arrival.
For some time now, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been making negative headlines. He drew criticism for the way he cosied up to Donald Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and has only made himself more unpopular since then.
His biggest mistake, however, appears to have been the plan to privatise the World Cup. The idea of selling off shares in FIFA’s biggest competition sparked outrage, with many now turning on the football administrator. Notably, UEFA have led the calls for Infantino to step down from his role.
The 56-year-old actually used to work for UEFA, joining in 2000 and leaving 16 years later to take on his current role with FIFA. During that time, it’s now been reported that he had an ‘alleged mistress.’
UEFA Reportedly Paid Off Infantino’s Alleged Mistress
As per The Telegraph, UEFA reportedly paid off an alleged mistress of Infantino while he was working as general secretary. It’s said that the woman, a junior employee, received a six-figure sum after the alleged relationship with Infantino – who is married and has four children – while he was a leading official at European football’s governing body.
What’s more, she is alleged to have been promoted by the now-FIFA president during their relationship. After she left, the football organisation reportedly paid for her to do an MBA at a business school which charged fees of about £45,000 a year.
The woman was reportedly in an administrative position when their relationship began, but was subsequently promoted to a more lucrative managerial role. When she left, Infantino is alleged to have used then his connections to get her a new lucrative job, and later diverted UEFA funds to secure her pay-off.
In a statement, UEFA admitted that a payment had been made and that it was aware of the allegations that the woman was in a relationship with Infantino. The European footballing body said they have since “tightened” their regulations to “reflect those found in a modern, high-profile organisation.”
FIFA Statement on Infantino Allegations
A FIFA spokesman has said that there had never been any complaints by employees about Infantino’s behaviour. In a statement, the spokesman also confirmed that the organisation’s president denies the claims:
“FIFA president Gianni Infantino strongly denies these allegations, and they are categorically untrue. Any insinuation of inappropriate conduct or violation of statutes or regulations is defamatory.
“No employee at Uefa and Fifa has ever raised a complaint regarding Mr Infantino’s behaviour because there never was an incident where he was involved. All company actions related to employees, including any departure and severance packages, have always been approved by the appropriate directors in accordance with all applicable regulations.”
The Telegraph went on to claim, via sources, that Infantino was challenged over the alleged affair by Michel Platini, UEFA’s then president, and it was agreed that she would leave with a six-figure pay-off.
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