The marketability of Michael Jordan comes from the fact that the way he played was something the NBA had never seen before. His high-flying style of play, while it was observed in legends such as George Gervin and Julius Erving, wasn’t explored fully until the UNC alum burst onto the scene in 1984. The ‘Air Jordan’ brand has made its bread by marketing their enter scheme around MJ’s jumping ability, bringing life to the ‘Jumpman’ logo. So, when Jay Leno asked Jordan a certain question regarding his athleticism, it makes sense as to why he felt a bit offended
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Michael of course, was as competitive as ever. Whether it was on NBA hardwood or while playing ping-pong with Howard White or Christian Laettner, MJ wanted to assert his dominance in any which way he could. Mastering the art of ‘aerial combat’ was something he did effortlessly and post-retirement, was something he took pride in having done.
Michael Jordan asks Jay Leno if he’s stupid
Michael Jordan was done a slew of interviews with Jay Leno, especially in the mid to late 1990s where h talked about everything from Dennis Rodman to his future with the Chicago Bulls. 7 years after he retired from the NBA however, at 47 years old, he would get interviewed by Leno once more.
In this interview where Jordan would appear on a large television screen behind Leno, he would get asked if he can still dunk in 2010. MJ was clearly offended by this question because he immediately fired back by asking the Tonight Show host, “Are you stupid?”
Being 6’6 and one of the most athletically gifted individuals in the history of North American sports would have Michael Jordan being able to dunk well into his 40s so it’s understandable as to why he felt a certain type of way about the question. It would be surprising if ‘His Airness’ in 2023 could still dunk or at the very least touch the rim.
MJ beat the Bobcats starters as a 47-year-old
Being 47-years-old means nothing to Michael Jordan as he would once suit up against the Charlotte Bobcats starting lineup at practice after they had suffered an ugly loss. He had recently purchased the team for $275,000,000 and felt as though he had to show them the ropes.
Stephen Jackson recalls this moment and claims MJ torched the starting NBA players as a man who was creeping into his 50s. “He scored a couple of points to the point where he talked so much sh*t that he grabbed the ball and dunked one on the way out,” said Jackson.
