Michael Jordan has revealed he was recently asked to roll back the years and shoot a free throw, which made him the most nervous he’s been ‘in years.’
The basketball icon, who is still regarded by many as the greatest player of all time, brought his legendary career to an end for a third and final time in 2003 after coming out of retirement on two occasions.
More than two decades later, these days Jordan rarely ever steps onto a court or picks up a ball, meaning he was overcome with anxiety after being asked to take a shot last month.
During his NBC debut on the network’s coverage of Opening Night Tuesday, the six-time NBA champion explained in a conversation with broadcaster Mike Tirico how he had a bout of the jitters when the owner of a house he was renting in New York wanted him to shoot a free throw on the court in his home.
He told Tirico: ‘I haven’t picked up a ball in years… you don’t see a hoop anywhere round here, right?
‘I was at the Ryder Cup and I rented a house from the owner. He came over to do pictures and he had grandkids. I was doing a meet and greet – thanking for them for allowing me to stay in the house – and he had a basketball court. He says: “I want you to shoot one free throw.” I said: “Really? I already paid for the house…”
‘When I stepped up to shoot the free throw, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years. Reason being: those kids heard the stories from the parents about what I did 30 years ago. So their expectation is 30 years prior and I haven’t touched a basketball.’
When asked if he ‘swished it’ by Tirico, Jordan replied: ‘Absolutely. That made my whole week. Because I was able to please that kid – not knowing if I could.’
The first segment of MJ: Insights to Excellence aired at halftime of the opening game of the new NBA season between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.
As sources revealed to Daily Mail Sport back in May, Jordan will serve as a special contributor rather than being a constant presence on NBC this season.
But the 62-year-old wishes he was young enough and fit enough to get back onto the court and challenge the new generation.
After being asked if he still loves the sport, Jordan insisted: ‘I love it like you wouldn’t believe.
‘In all honesty, I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today. Because that’s who I am.
‘That type of competition, that type of competitiveness is what I live for. And I miss it! I miss that aspect of playing basketball – being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball.
‘But it’s better for me to be sitting here talking to you, as opposed to popping my Achilles and I’m in a wheelchair for a while!’
