"I think he's thrilled about it," Stockton said. "I think he's had a chance to see what life's like on the other side and he kind of enjoys it. . . . He had a wonderful career. I sure am proud of him."

For 18 seasons, Stockton-to-Malone was a way of life in Utah.

Together, they took a once-laughable franchise and lifted it to unimaginable heights.

No, they never won a championship. But for a decade they were always considered a team - like Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics and Jordan's Bulls - that could win it.

Because of Stockton.

Because of Malone.

Because of their tireless effort and unique dedication.

While they played together, the Jazz won 64 percent of their regular-season games and never missed the playoffs. They reached five Western Conference finals in a seven-year span, and back-to-back NBA Finals.

Stockton retired 21 months ago. Malone, who has not played this season, officially will retire today at the Delta Center, after playing last year with the Los Angeles Lakers.

L.A. didn't win a championship, either. Its loss to Detroit last spring made Malone 0-for-3 in the Finals.

According to Stockton, however, Malone only added to his long list of Hall of Fame credentials by emerging as a steadying, professional influence on a team sadly lacking in those critical qualities.

"Personally, I can't fathom it," Stockton said. "I wouldn't have been able to endure the change, let alone a change to an environment that was so - I don't know - volatile might be an understatement.

"But with all the things going behind closed doors - every time you turned around - Karl was the voice of reason. He just showed so much grace through the whole deal. He did very, very well in that environment, and I think a lot of people agree with me."

In 1997, the Jazz reached the NBA Finals for the first time. Stockton punched their ticket, stepping behind a bear-hug screen by Malone and nailing a three-pointer that gave Utah a 103-100 win at Houston in Game 6 of the conference finals.

"Whenever something good happened to me on the court," Stockton said, "I'd turn around and Karl would be there."

"The Shot" remains the most memorable Stockton-Malone moment.

"The biggest highlight," Stockton said. "That experience - with all of us at center court not really knowing what to do with ourselves - always will be."

That's because the Jazz never took the next step. They lost to Jordan and the Bulls in the '97 and '98 Finals - the only mountain Stockton and Malone didn't conquer as teammates.

"It's never pleasant to think about because that was our goal and it never happened," Stockton said. "Strangely, I thought we were the best team both times. But they proved us wrong. They did what they had to do."

In a different sense, so did Stockton and Malone.

"We just weren't good enough," Stockton said. "But I don't think anyone could have worked harder than Karl Malone did for 19 years. That's why I don't even like talking about the no-championship thing. . . . All you can say is he laid it out there every night. Nobody can ever accuse Karl of not doing that. That's why he's the best power forward of all time."

Steve Luhm is The Tribune's national NBA writer