He's top 2 at his position. #1 if you consider Duncan a 5. His longevity alone should put him in the top 10.
Yeah, he has a strong argument for #2 all-time power forward. However, there's been a lot more great centers than great power forwards, so being #2 in the PF slot doesn't get you into the top-10 overall.
I don't think Kareem, Jordan, Magic, Lebron, Russell, Hakeem, Duncan, Bird, Shaq, or Wilt should have any reason to fear Karl Malone taking one of their top-10 slots.
Stockton was around as long as Malone was, and I don't have him touching the top-10 either. I don't like the idea of longevity trumping dominance - my top-10 list is a list of guys who were the best, not the guys who were really good for a really long time. If Malone really was one of the GOATs independently of anyone else, and he had a top-5 all-time PG and a HOF coach matching him step-for-step his entire prime, then he should have had more success than he did. I mean...his playoff history is basically, "whipping boy for whoever in the West is actually sorta good this year". From his rookie season on, he went out early a LOT...he's like the anti-Lebron in the 1st round too.
Mavs, 1st round, 3 games to 1. (after making WCSF previous two years)
Warriors, 1st round, 3 games to 2.
Lakers, WCSF, 4 games to 3
Warriors, 1st round, sweep
Suns, 1st round, 3 games to 2
Blazers, WCSF, 4 games to 1
Blazers, WCF, 4 games to 2
Sonics, 1st round, 3 games to 2
Rockets, WCF, 4 games to 1
Rockets, 1st round, 3 games to 2
Sonics, WCF, 4 games to 3
Bulls, Finals, 4 games to 2
Bulls , Finals, 4 games to 2
Blazers, WCSF, 4 games to 2
Blazers, WCF, 4 games to 1
Mavs, 1st round, 3 games to 2
Kings, 1st round, 3 games to 1
Kings, 1st round, 4 games to 1
Then the Lakers debacle...