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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Curtis

Let’s remember when Michael Jordan actually smacked Malik Monk and called it a ‘tap of endearment’

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.

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.

But Monk didn’t think it was a big deal:

Thus might end the weirdest thing about Jordan’s tenure at helm of the Hornets franchise as majority owner.

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