Was the most nervous shot in a Ryder Cup a basketball shot?
Maybe, maybe not. To decide that, the ball is in your court, so to speak. But the shooter said he hadn’t felt nerves like that day in a long time.
And that shooter was too Michael Jordan.
The story comes on the first night of NBC’s NBA coverage, in a segment featuring Jordan and the announcer. Mike Tirico called “MJ: Insights into Excellence”. You can find the exchange by clicking on the video belowand below will be some additional thoughts.
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Michael Jordan was nervous about a Ryder Cup free throw?
He said he was. The story began when Tirico asked him when was the last time he had picked up a basketball.
Jordan said, “I haven’t picked up the ball in years.”
Tirico said, “No, come on. Like moving forward. There should be a ring somewhere in your place.”
Said Jordan, “You don’t see a ring anywhere here, do you?”
Said Tirico: “No. Seriously, when was the last time you picked up a basketball and shot it?”
After a pause, Jordan said it came down to a Ryder Cup. (He didn’t say which, though; Jordan has been in a few.)
Here’s how the hit came:
“I rented a house from the owner,” Jordan said. “He came over to take pictures. He had grandkids. And I met and thanked him for letting me stay at the house, and he had a basketball court. He says, ‘I want you to shoot a free throw.’ I said, ‘Really?’ Now, I’ve already paid for the house; it’s not like he needs to see me.
“So when I got up to shoot the free throw, that was the most nervous I’ve been in years.”
Really? Why?
“Those kids heard the stories from their parents about what I did 30 years ago,” Jordan said. “So their expectation is 30 years ago and I haven’t touched a basketball.”
Good point. Here in the segment, Tirico asked if Jordan hit the shot.
“Absolutely,” Jordan said. “I get the most satisfaction out of it – what made my whole week is that I was able to please that child without knowing if I could.”
Taking food: We would love to see a photo or video of this moment. If you are reading this and are a homeowner, please email the writer at the address nick.piastowski@golf.com.
Was there any other information from Jordan?
had. Tirico wondered if Jordan still loved the game of basketball — and Jordan said “love it like you wouldn’t believe.”
“In all honesty,” he continued, “I wish I could take a magic pill and put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today, because that’s who I am. That kind of competition, that kind of competition is what I live for. And I miss it. I miss that aspect of the game of basketball, being able to challenge myself against what people see as great basketball.
“But it’s better for me to sit here talking to you than go out with my Achilles and be in a wheelchair for a while.”
Said Tirico: “But it’s nice to be able to share the things that can make the game great going forward from your perspective.”
Said Jordan: “Yeah. I think one of the things why I did this (interview) is as professional athletes, we have an obligation to pay it forward. That’s part of what it’s about is paying it forward.”
Taking food: The Jordan Q&A should be an interesting watch, for sure.
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