The Man of Steel has become the Man of Steal.
   He showed up on Sunday afternoon at Target Center.
   Returning from a rare one-game absence after a futile bout with the flu, Karl Malone knocked the ball away from Minnesota MVP candidate Kevin Garnett on consecutive possessions in the final minutes to help preserve the Jazz's 96-89 victory over the struggling Timberwolves.
   Malone has missed only four games because of injury or illness in his 17-year career.
   For the first time, he is among the NBA leaders in steals.
   His career-long ability to produce while playing at less than 100 percent -- plus his new-found knack at coming up with steals -- doomed Minnesota.
   "I don't want to be known only as a guy who could score," Malone said. "When I'm done, I hope they say, 'He was a well-rounded player . . . who did a little bit of everything to help his team win.' "
   The Timberwolves can't argue -- not after Malone's huge defensive plays helped the Jazz bump their record to 36-30 and snap a five-game, two-season losing streak to them.
   "He's always been able to get to people," coach Jerry Sloan said. "And, if they drag the ball just a little bit, he's got terrific hands."