Jazz’s Malone, Miller Make Up

Karl Malone and Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller have mended their friendship after a training camp rift over Malone’s future and his criticisms of out-of-shape teammates.

Miller, who has often compared the relationship with 1997’s most valuable player to that of a father and son, had a 45-minute talk with Malone at Jazz practice Friday.

“When we got done I said, ‘How are you feeling?’ And he said, ‘I feel great,’ ” Miller said. “I said, ‘Good, so do I.’ ”

Added Malone: “Everything is cool. This is behind us, and we’ll go on from here.”

The meeting came after Malone had complained that Miller failed to support him when he criticized teammates for showing up for camp out of shape. Malone also was angry that Miller had spoken more than once about Malone’s eventual retirement, and how the Jazz were building for a future when the perennial All-Star was gone.

Malone’s contract runs through 1998-99.