Written by MICHAEL KOH
Michael Malone may not come from the “Carolina Family,” but Hubert Davis made him feel like an adopted son.
In his interview with the Carolina Insider Podcast last October, which Tar Heel fans are now poring over like it’s the Zapruder film, Malone described what a positive experience it was to observe UNC’s preseason practices at the Smith Center. Initially, out of deference to the program, Malone took a seat high above the floor to watch. Davis noticed where Malone was and brought him down for a front-row seat.
Later, Malone recalled having dinner with assistant coach Pat Sullivan, who then conveyed to Malone what an honor it was for a perceived outsider to assume that seat.
Davis clearly valued Malone’s experience of building a perennial NBA contender in Denver and winning a title in 2023. In their conversations, Malone remembered telling Davis how much his Tar Heels had improved and how excited he was to watch them.
It should be noted that, though both men have extensive NBA experience, Davis and Malone did not have a prior relationship. Though Malone did serve as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks for several seasons, he got there five years after Davis’ time with the team had ended. Nevertheless, Davis invited the then-free agent into his practices. Hubert is an intensely private and protective person, and for him to bring a relative stranger into the holy sanctum of a closed practice is no small thing.
At his introductory press conference, Malone said he was disheartened to see his new friend lose his job last month, while acknowledging it’s simply a result of the business of basketball. Hubert still has his corner of loyalists who saw his ouster as a departure from the “Carolina Way.” They likely weren’t thrilled to see an outsider like Malone take his place. But the fact that there is a connection – and that Malone thanked Davis directly on Tuesday – hopefully can bridge the divide in the Tar Heel fanbase and begin a much-needed healing process.
In truth, though, nobody can know just how well Malone fits in with the program until November, when the Tar Heels take the floor again. Those seven months will be like nothing Malone, or any other hoops fan around here, has seen before.
Michael Koh is filling in for Art Chansky today, as Art is temporarily out on a medical leave recovering from an accident.
Featured image via Todd Melet
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