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www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/sec/2006-10-26-florida-cover_x.htm
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Joakim Noah did not want to go to the White House with the Florida Gators after they won the men's NCAA basketball tournament in April.
"I thought, 'Why would I go there?' " he says. "I have different views from who's in power."
Coach Billy Donovan and his recalcitrant star had a long talk. Donovan convinced Noah a boycott would taint his teammates and their title and a visit to the White House was not the same as an endorsement of President Bush's war policies. Noah agreed to go.
The behind-the-scenes drama, which they are talking about publicly for the first time, is indicative of their complicated relationship. Donovan is a Republican who backs the president. Noah is an independent who doesn't. Never the twain shall meet.
Except, somehow, it does — on the court, where Noah embraces Donovan's team-first approach, and off, where Donovan appreciates Noah's deeply felt humanism.
"We definitely have completely different political views, different views on a lot of things," Noah says. "I still think he is a great mentor."
One is a conservative with slicked-back black hair, the other an idealist with a ponytail. They love and respect one another on many levels and agree to disagree on the rest.
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