The NBA on NBC returned on Tuesday night after 23 years and basketball fans had to be thrilled for a few reasons, from hearing John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” to seeing an incredible game between the OKC Thunder and Houston Rockets. But they also were introduced to a new segment featuring Michael Jordan—and MJ delivered right away.
His Airness is part of a series called “MJ: Insights to Excellence” with Mike Tirico sitting down with the six-time NBA champ. A portion of the first episode ran during the season opener and it already produced a viral moment. One that has a golf connection. Sort of.
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Tirico and fans were probably stunned when Jordan revealed he hasn’t “picked up a basketball in years.” This, despite the fact that he also said he wishes he could take a “magic pill” and still play because he misses the game so much. That line pulled at people’s heartstrings, but it was the ensuing story that gave us goosebumps.
When pressed by Tirico, Jordan revealed he did touch a basketball last month at a rental house he was staying at during the Ryder Cup, where golf fans saw the NBA legend following the action at the biennial event as he has for nearly three decades.
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And that’s when he offered up a cool story involving shooting a basketball in front of the home owner and his grandkids. Have a look and listen:
“When I stepped up to shoot that free throw, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years,” Jordan says in the clip. “And the reason is, those kids heard the stories from their parents about what I did 30 years ago, so their expectation is 30 years prior and I haven’t touched a basketball.”
“I hope you swished it,” Tirico says.
“Absolutely,” Jordan responds.
And that’s why he’s Michael Jordan. What a story. And what a thrill that must have been for that homeowner and his grandkids. They’ll be telling that one for the rest of their lives.
