“Yao Ming was stupefied at the sight of Michael Jordan”: Rockets legend recalls a hilarious incident when he forgot how to shoot at MJ’s basketball camp
Just being in the presence of Michael Jordan once made NBA great Yao Ming completely forget how to shoot from the free-throw line.
Michael Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest player to ever grace the court, and justifiably so. The former player accumulated a long list of achievements throughout his career, including 6 NBA championships and 5 MVPs.
Needless to say, when you are one of the best players to do ever do it, you will intimidate other people. And it seems Yao Ming knew from firsthand experience that the great Jordan was not an exception at all.
Here is the story of a hilarious incident between the two players that occurred way back in the day.
Yao Ming embarrassed himself in a shooting competition in the presence of Michael Jordan
Yao Ming first met Michael Jordan at a basketball camp held by the latter. And as anybody would have been, Ming was incredibly nervous at the time, something that exposed itself very soon.
During the camp, His Airness called all of the camp’s participants to a shooting competition. The rules were that if you make five free throws in a row. But, if the participants missed two shots in a row, they would be eliminated.
The award for this drill you ask?
A free, brand new pair of shoes from Michael Jordan’s line, given to them personally by the man himself. So, it would be fair to say that the stakes were sky-high.
“I’m back.”
It’s been 26 years since Michael Jordan used two words to announce his NBA return 👏 pic.twitter.com/dDYKRDHpiP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 18, 2021
Also Read: Adrian Wojnarowski sets the trade rumor mill abuzz with LeBron James and Anthony Davis out
Unfortunately, it seems Yao Ming was swallowed whole by the occasion. He was so nervous in the presence of Jordan, that he seemingly forgot how to shoot. And as a result, after badly missing two free throws in a row, he was eliminated.
Ming of course went on to have an incredible career and was by far one of the most skilled big men fans had ever seen. However, it is refreshing to hear such humanizing stories about one of the greatest ever to play the sport.
About the author
-
Prateek Singh •
Lou Williams Spews His Two-Word Defense Against NBA Fans After Claiming Giannis Antetokounmpo Hasn’t Added New Skills
-
Nithin Joseph •
“Shaquille O’Neal is like a reinvention of Magic Johnson”: Snoop Dogg makes interesting comparison between the two Lakers legend
-
Terrence Jordan •
“No Respect for the Uniform”: James Worthy Rips Lakers After Their 111-89 Loss to Jayson Tatum-Less Celtics
-
Samir Mehdi •
Antawn Jamison, Who Made $1.3 Million Alongside Kobe Bryant, Compared Lakers Legend To Gilbert Arenas
-
Advait Jajodia •
“6 physical freaks and a frail 6’3” 180-lbs Stephen Curry”: NBA Twitter marvels at the 8X All-Star featuring on a prestigious list
-
Siddid Dey Purkayastha •
3 Years After LeBron James Dropped $6,500,000 On Liverpool, Magic Johnson ‘Emulated’ The Future Laker By Buying Into An Eventual $1 Billion Valuated FC