And while Malone is known for vacillating a time or two or several million over the course of his life, Stockton said this may be the one time he makes up his mind and sticks with it: "I have a feeling he's a guy that's going to be sure of his decision when he makes it."

PLEASE: Asked what will mean more to him — having his No. 12 retired by the Jazz, or being inducted into the basketball hall of fame — Stockton, merely the NBA's all-time steals and assists leader, actually said the following: "There's no guarantees . . . I don't want to think about it."

PARTING GIFTS: Stockton and wife Nada were given several gifts at a special Sunday night dinner, including a No. 12 diamond pendant for her and a new slalom water ski for him.

MISC.: The Jazz played their third straight game without forward and co-captain Matt Harpring, still out with a bruised left knee . . . No. 3 point Keith McLeod did not play (coach's decision) for a third straight games . . . The Jazz front office and wives of several Jazz players will join the Salt Lake Mission, the Delta Center and Utah Food Serves to serve a Thanksgiving Dinner this afternoon to the city's homeless and low-income population.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com