We’ve shared a lot of memories of Michael Jordan as the Charlotte Hornets owner with news that the GOAT is selling the team, from his frustrated reactions to the struggling franchise to his good and bad moments.
I’d like to spotlight one of them, because a lot of NBA fans are and frankly, it needs to be talked about again.
The year was 2018. Malik Monk was a member of Jordan’s Hornets, and he ran on to the court from the bench too early to celebrate a Jeremy Lamb game-winner. When he was busted by refs and assessed a technical foul, His Airness smacked the back of Monk’s head.
Michael Jordan went Full Disappointed Dad Mode on Malik Monk, smacking him upside the head after Monk picked up a silly tech for running on the court too soon to celebrate Jeremy Lamb's game-winner. pic.twitter.com/nOKDczgHxt
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) December 13, 2018
What’s even more wild: When asked about the smack, Jordan actually called it “a tap of endearment,” which is NOT what I’d call it.
Michael Jordan (via his spokeswoman) to the AP on his playful smack of Malik Monk’s head: “It was a tap of endearment — I didn’t mean to project anything other than that. It was like a big brother & little brother tap. No negative intent – only love!”
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) December 13, 2018
But Monk didn’t think it was a big deal:
Malik Monk said of Michael Jordan’s “tap of endearment,” that “he was just playing.” pic.twitter.com/E7jm2MS9uL
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) December 13, 2018
Thus might end the weirdest thing about Jordan’s tenure at helm of the Hornets franchise as majority owner.