Jazz and Malone should make up

Adrian Dantley was in town as an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets two weeks ago. It was one of the few trips the former Jazz forward has made to Salt Lake since leaving the team in 1986.

Back to the place where he was branded a traitor.

Dantley has never forgotten the circumstances leading to his departure. Though he was civil, when interviewed on KFNZ radio by former coach Tom Nissalke, it was clear he hasn't entirely forgiven the team. He didn't talk about his love of the team or city, as former players often do.

He did the minimum.

At the same time, the Jazz apparently haven't forgiven Dantley, either, who became embroiled in a public feud with then-coach Frank Layden over a contract dispute. Layden fined Dantley 30 pieces of silver for being a "Judas." Today Layden, Mark Eaton, Darrell Griffith, Pete Maravich and Jeff Hornacek have numbers retired in the Delta Center. But Dantley's is notably missing. Jazz owner Larry H. Miller says the issue isn't dead, and Dantley's number could still be retired.

If and when that happens remains in question.

I mention this because even as plans for statues of Karl Malone and John Stockton proceed, trouble has erupted again. It centers on a Jan. 24 skit at the Delta Center, in which a Malone impersonator phoned the Jazz mascot "Bear." In the conversation, the pretend Malone complained that he wasn't respected in L.A. and wanted to return to Utah. But the part that touched off the real Malone was when the impersonator said, "I guess it could be worse. I could be Ko . . . " in reference to Laker teammate Kobe Bryant, who stands accused of sexual assault.

That triggered a string of Malone blasts at Jazz management, calling it "disrespectful" and adding it showed "no class at all." He also referred to Jazz front office personnel as "cowards."

Though the mascot and the team apologized, and the Jazz were fined $15,000 by the league, Malone wasn't placated.

"I will never, ever forgive them for this," he told reporters.

He vowed to be in Salt Lake for the Jazz-Lakers' game March 8, whether he plays or not. At the same time, he said the skit showed he made a wise decision to leave Utah.

Stop right there, Karl.

Let's not turn this into another A.D. situation.

Malone's popularity in Utah dwindled as the years passed.