Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan reflect on the lessons they learned from playing against Karl Malone: “I learned was to suck it up and push it out”

Karl Malone is a popular figure amongst power forwards because he showcased what it meant to be a number one option in their position. He had a tremendous skill set as he could score from anywhere inside the paint with his reliable mid-range jump shot, low-post play, and rim-running with the pick-and-roll with John Stockton .

When he got older, Malone became a figurehead for younger power forwards. Two players who learned from him were Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan , who ended up being two of the best power forwards the game has ever seen.

"I think just playing against him, he goes hard every possession. Whenever he's out there, he's defending, he's slapping the ball. He's finding every little way to get stuff done. Some might be bigger, stronger than him, but he's running the position by driving his body into you," Duncan said in an interview with Isiah Thomas on NBC in 2000.

Malone had a tireless motor

Karl always had some of the best physical traits of any player in the league. He was known as one of the most muscular players, which gave him an advantage in every game. Malone overpowered his opponents, which made him a threat on offense. He displayed his strength, never backing down against his opponent on both sides of the floor.

Aside from his strength, Malone was also a tireless worker. No matter which part of the game, he was running with 100% of his energy. That was a big part of his longevity since he was always healthy, and his motor did not run out. He scored 20+ points per game for 17 consecutive seasons, cementing himself as one of the NBA's best-ever scorers.

Stockton's playmaking was a big part of why Malone became a successful scorer. John and Karl became a formidable duo, arguably the best partnership of the 1990s. The Jazz came close to winning a title in 1997 and 1998, but Michael Jordan and the Bulls denied them both times.

Duncan and Garnett learned from Malone

While Duncan did not have the same motor and play style as Malone, he learned some tricks from Karl. Tim became more receptive to physicality, which helped him become a more versatile big man who could play both power forward and center. He never backed down against contact, which is a big part of Malone's game.

Garnett had many of Malone's traits, including his demeanor and approach towards the game. KG never turned off his relentless motor, as he always had an intense energy about him, which led to him winning a Defensive Player of the Year.

“We were scoring back-and-forth, he never stopped running. Just when you thought he’s a little tired, he would just sprint. One thing I learned was to suck it up and push it out,” Garnett said in the same interview.

Both players have secured legacies that involve them being superstar power forwards. They are often in debates for the best power forwards, and as champions, a big part of the NBA community sees them as better players than Malone.

Related: Karl Malone on getting used to John Stockton's excellence: "He's so good, you begin to take him for granted"