Michael Jordan and Larry Brown share a laugh Wednesday at the Quail Hollow Championship pro-am. Jordan played; Brown watched.
I am at the Quail Hollow Championship today, and was following the Michael Jordan-Fred Couples pairing on the ninth tee when things started to get interesting.
Out of the gallery bounded Charlotte Bobcats coach Larry Brown (who originally was a candidate to play in the pro-am, but ended up not doing so). Brown hugged everybody in the group -- it also includes Quail Hollow president Johny Harris -- and then started following them inside the ropes.
"Grab a club and let's go!" Jordan told Brown. Brown said no thanks, he was just going to watch, and then he did exactly that. Brown walked behind Jordan and Couples with Bobcats president Fred Whitfield and assistant coach Dave Hanners, applauding occasionally (especially when Jordan hit a good one).
This, of course, sets off a ruckus among the fans. Some variation of "Stay in Charlotte, Larry!" and "Don't leave, Larry!" was repeated dozens of times over the next few holes. Each time, Brown would smile, wave -- and say absolutely nothing.
I got the feeling Brown was still in the "hemming-and-hawing" stage -- he certainly wasn't telling fans "Okay, I'll stay." He did sign a lot of autographs, though, and was as gracious as he could be without answering questions.
I cornered him at one point and asked if I could talk to him. He nodded, but then said he wanted to watch Jordan play the round first and walked away. I am guessing Brown will end up talking to a cluster of reporters in about an hour or two at the 18th green -- word of his impromptu visit to the course is starting to spread.
Brown apparently plans to go home to Philadelphia Thursday and have a talk with his wife (and maybe 76ers officials??) about whether he's going to coach in Charlotte, end up as president of the Philadelphia franchise, do something else or retire entirely.
There was one funny moment, too, when a couple of teenagers saw Brown up close.
"Next year we'll win it all!" the first teenager told the coach. Brown had no response.
"Next year, we'll win a game in the playoffs," the other said sarcastically.
"Yeah," Brown said, grinning.
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13 comments:
Jordan will always be a bigger name than Tiger Woods. Even if he doesn't play as well, I'd much rather be at Quail Hallow to see him.
Yes, he's a way bigger jerk too.
Ray, while I'm not an anti-Jordan or an anti-Tiger guy, MJ has about as many "skeletons" as Tiger, if not more...
I had some friends at Quail Hollow today - both marshalls and patrons...er, fans - and heard MJ and Couples had quite a following out there today. I heard MJ specifically requested to play w/Freddie at the pro-am and I've also noticed Couples sitting behind the Bobcats' bench throughout their playoff series and even during the last few regular season games. And I heard, Freddie, MJ and Charles Oakley (also spotted at games recently) showed up for drinks on the patio at Selwyn Pub about a week or so ago. Are Couples and Jordan quickly renewing a long lost friendship, has Freddie always been a Bobcats fan, or is Couples being groomed by Mike as a potential investor and partner w/the Bobcats?
Jordan is the original man ho. He was protected by the media fir years. Total jerk.
wrong...he just never admitted to anything...
I followed Jordan around the course for his front nine yesterday, and I was amazed at how much he interacted with the crowd. After every shot he was talking and joking around with people even signing several autographs in between holes. He really impressed me with how much he interacted, and I think it was a great thing to see, both for the Bobcats sake and for the City of Charlotte.
Rudy, Fred Couples bought season tickets. Not sure if he is planning on investing in ownership, but he has bought season tickets for next year
I threw Jordan a cigar and he asked if it was a good one. I said yes, and told him now get us a point guard.
Is it a double standard when they destroy Rose for bogus gambling yet Woods and Jordan get a free pass?
How or why is this news? Folwer - how old are you? Creating news where there is no story is sad. There are plenty of things to cover other than this lame soap opera.
I know that Michael Jordan is really good golf player, I have a fried who work in a hotel , Michael went to play there and my friend said me that Jordan is so friendly and good person!!22dd
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