When basketball legend Michael Jordan speaks, people tend to listen.
The Chicago Bulls great made a return to our screens last night as part of NBC’s coverage of the new NBA season.
It was the first time the NBA had returned to the major network in 23 years.
To commemorate its return, NBC has managed to snag MJ for a new series.
MJ: Insights to Excellence sees His Airness in conversation with Mike Tirico.
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The first instalment was played during halftime of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets Game.
The whole thing lasted only three minutes but it has since gone viral given some of the admissions Jordan has made about his post-retirement life.
Michael Jordan at the Ryder Cup
Chief of which was how he hasn’t really played basketball in years.
And when he did, at a rental house before the 2025 Ryder Cup in New York last month, he only took one shot.
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And he got nervous. Really nervous.
Jordan said: “I was at the Ryder Cup. I rented a house from the owner. I came over to do pictures.
“He had grandkids, and I was meeting and greeting, thanking 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?’ Now, 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.
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“The reason is that those kids heard stories from their parents about what I did years ago.”
Michael Jordan is a massive golf fan
Jordan, who won six NBA championships with the Bulls between 1991 and 1998, was asked if he swished it.
“Absolutely,” said Jordan. “I got the most gratifying feeling. That made my whole week. I was able to please that kid, not knowing if I could.”
Sadly for Jordan and the United States, Keegan Bradley’s men were defeated by Europe at the 45th Ryder Cup.
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Jordan, a golf nut, attended the first day of the matches and told GOLF Bradley’s men “had problems” after Europe raced into an early lead.
The US team trailed by seven points heading into the Sunday singles.
They made a charge on the final day, winning 8.5 points from 12 matches but ended up losing 15-13.
It was the first time any side had won in hostile territory since 2012.
Bradley has since said that he finds it unlikely he will ever be over to get over the defeat.
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Watch the clip here:
“I haven’t picked up a ball in years. … I rented a house… and [the owner] had a basketball court. He says, ‘I want you to shoot one free throw.’ … When I stepped up to shoot the FT, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years.”
– Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/VsOUcRl6ug
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 22, 2025Subscribe to our Newsletter
