would wind up on his ass," Malone said of the Pistons and Knicks. "Through Phil Jackson and through Michael Jordan — the face of the NBA — the league really started changing and said, 'We really have to protect our players. We want this to be something that our fans want to come and watch and, more importantly, to watch on their TVs.' "

Those people that watched Jordan on television included plenty of future NBA players. Some of them play for the Nuggets, but that does not mean Malone will bring up Jordan’s name too much. Malone said he felt the same way when Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant died nearly three months ago in a helicopter crash.

"All of our players respect the hell out of Michaelmore gun control say it could be a disaster waiting to happen.

Phoenix police said the gun-toters at Monday's event, including the man carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, didn't need permits. No crimes were committed, and no one was arrested.

The man with the rifle declined to be identified but told The Arizona Republic that he was carrying the assault weapon because he could. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms," he said.

Phoenix police Detective J. Oliver, who monitored the man at the downtown protest, said police also wanted to make sure no one decided to harm him.

"Just by his presence and people seeing the rifle and people knowing the president was in town, it sparked a lot of emotions," Oliver said. "We were keeping peace