Karl Malone doesn't speak Latin, but he clearly understands the philosophy carpe diem.
   
As he lives his 40th year and plays his 18th NBA season, the Jazz forward intends to seize a lot of days -- because he has noticed how few, relatively speaking, he has left as a professional athlete.
   
Malone didn't announce his retirement on Thursday, nor did he retract his statement to USA Today that "this could be my last year." Instead, he sounded a lot like a typical grown-up approaching middle age: Taking stock, considering what's really important -- and preparing to move on to the next stage of his life, whenever that may be.
   
"I want to enjoy this season like it's my last one," Malone said in an unusual no-announcement announcement before the Jazz left Salt Lake for tonight's preseason game with the Cavaliers. "I don't know if I've ever done that. I've always said, 'I've got three more out there,' or 'I've got two more out there.' In essence, I want to enjoy this one like it's my last one because that's what I've got to work with."