Asked if "that team" could have beaten the original Dream Team, however, Malone smiled and said, "Beat us? What team? . . . What team are you talking about?"

When it was suggested the speed and finesse "Redeem Team" would have been unable to stop the Dream Team inside, Malone quickly added, "Or outside."

Appearing Thursday at the grand opening of his new Toyota "superstore" in Draper, Malone played host to a large crowd of fans and dignitaries, including new Larry H. Miller Group CEO Greg Miller.

Along with his wife, Kaye, and their four children, Malone lives in Ruston, La., where he grew up and attended college and stays busy with a variety of business ventures.

Mostly, though, Malone enjoys his family.

"A lot of years, they let me go off and play basketball," he said. "Now, to be able to spend time with them, it's awesome."

Malone is also the new assistant strength coach at Louisiana Tech, where his friend Kerry Rupp is starting his second season as head coach of the men's basketball team.

luhm@sltrib.com