Walking through chilly downtown Atlanta in search of a cab -- Malone had killed time during an off night on the NBA schedule by attending a Georgia-Georgia Tech game at the Omni -- the Utah Jazz's star power forward turned a corner and nearly stepped on the Man.
   
He was holding a magic marker and cardboard sign declaring him homeless, penniless and hungry.
   
Malone paused and fumbled for his wallet. Without expression, the Man extended a paper cup he was using to accept anything a passer-by wanted to deposit. Malone told him to put it down.
   
"You better put this one in your pocket, mister," he said.
   
Malone turned away. The Man hollered and loudly asked God to bless Karl Malone.
   
A few minutes later -- in the lobby of an upscale hotel -- it was suggested to Malone that the crisp $100 bill he had given the Man would probably be used to buy drugs or alcohol.
   
"Yeah," he said, shrugging. "But maybe not."