Copyright Men's Journal
It’s hard to fathom that Michael Jordan ever admitted to being nervous at any point in his life while holding a basketball. The greatest of all time is always thought about as someone with ice running through their veins. The GOAT who can hit any shot. The GOAT who has hit every shot — from the shot in Cleveland to the last shot in Salt Lake City. MJ has been a dominant force since proving himself on the hollow grounds of Chapel Hill at the University of North Carolina, where the freshman phenom known simply as Mike Jordan hit the first shot to lead UNC over Georgetown and secure the program’s second NCAA National Championship. Somehow, that Jordan was nervous recently about taking a free throw. In his defense, Jordan was put on the spot. He recently sat down with Mike Tirico for NBC Sports’ first edition of MJ: Insights to Excellence as part of the network’s return to NBA coverage, and Jordan explained why he was nervous for the first time in years. MJ Hasn’t Balled in Years It’s also hard to fathom how MJ hasn’t touched a basketball in years. In his words, “I haven’t picked up a ball in years.” However, the last time he picked up a basketball and shot it was when Jordan was at the Ryder Cup, although it’s unclear whether it was the most recent Ryder Cup or a previous one. “I was at the Ryder Cup. And I rented a house from the owner,” Jordan explained. “He came over to do pictures. He had grandkids. And I was [doing a ] meet and greet, thanking them for allowing me to stay in the house, and he had a basketball court.” ‘The Most Nervous I’ve Been In Years’ The inevitable happened, Jordan says. The owner of the home wanted MJ to do him a solid. “He says, ‘I want you to shoot one free throw.’ I said, ‘Really?'” His Airness recalled. “Now, I already paid for the house. So, it’s not like he had to see me [shoot first]. So, when I stepped up to shoot the free throw, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years. In years.” “And [the] reason being is, those kids heard the stories from the parents about what I did 30 years ago,” he continued, “so the expectation is 30 years prior, and I haven’t touched a basketball. Tirico couldn’t help himself: “I hope you swished it.” “Absolutely,” MJ replied. “That made my whole week.”
