Michael Malone’s caller ID would light up late in the evenings while he’d be home watching games on an off night. On the other end of the line was Chris Paul, who’d be doing the same.

Malone was an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2010-11 season, back when they were still called the Hornets. Even though he only coached Paul for one year, the pair’s late-night basketball chats about strategy and game plan paved the way for a rock solid relationship that’s stayed strong to this day.

“I miss him. I miss him, man,” Paul said reflecting on his relationship with Malone. “I’ve had a lot of coaches over my career and that might be the coach that I’ve been closest too. Just because he’s a basketball junkie like myself.”

“The number one thing that brought us together and has allowed us to stay together is just the passion for the game,” said Malone. “I only coached him one year but the one year we were together in New Orleans, we hit it off. Obviously, me coaching LeBron for five years who is one of his best friends I think definitely helped that relationship get off to a great start.”

Back before he ascended to a head coaching position in 2013 with Sacramento, Malone would work out Paul before games and at practices as an assistant. That’s where he and Paul bonded over their passion for the game, something Malone doesn’t think you can ascend to the elite level the now-Rockets point guard got to during his career.

“I think what separates good from great is just an unbridled passion to be the best,” said Malone. “Obviously, Chris Paul is a Hall-of-Fame point guard, is he a tough teammate, this and that, the kid wants to win. He’s an unbelievable competitor and last year if he doesn’t get hurt in my opinion they’re world champions.”

While the two remain friendly off the court, they’ve been competitors for the last eight seasons and are again Tuesday as the Nuggets host Paul’s Rockets.

“We’ve stayed close,” said Paul. “And always will be.”