NASCAR; Anti-Trust Lawsuit

Michael Jordan’s NBA On NBC Debut Was a Slam Dunk

Justin Rimpi

Michael Jordan stepped back into the basketball spotlight Tuesday night, making his debut as a special contributor for NBC’s coverage. The timing couldn’t be more perfect—the NBA is back, and so is the greatest player who ever laced them up.

Jordan sat down with Mike Tirico during halftime of the Thunder-Rockets game for the first installment of his new series, “MJ: Insights to Excellence.” And right off the bat, he dropped a bombshell that had hoops fans doing double takes.

“I haven’t picked up a basketball in years,” Jordan admitted. Wait, what?

When Jordan Gets Nervous

The six-time NBA champion shared a story that proves even legends get the jitters sometimes. While attending the Ryder Cup, Jordan rented a house from an owner who had one simple request: shoot a single free throw for his grandkids.

“When I stepped up to shoot the free throw, it’s the most nervous I’ve been in years,” Jordan said. “The reason is that those kids heard stories from their parents about what I did years ago.”

Think about that for a second. This is the same guy who hit game-winners in the Finals without breaking a sweat. The same competitor who thrived under pressure like nobody else. And here he was, palms sweaty, worried about disappointing some kids with one lousy free throw. Tirico, knowing exactly who he was talking to, asked the only question that mattered: “I hope you swished it.”

Jordan’s response? “Absolutely.” Of course he did. Because that’s what Michael Jordan does.

Why Jordan Joined NBC

Beyond the entertaining anecdotes, Jordan opened up about his decision to join NBC after decades of staying largely out of the television spotlight. “To pay it forward,” Jordan said to Tirico. “I have an obligation to the game of basketball, not financially. I’m okay.”

That’s putting it mildly—Jordan’s net worth makes him the richest basketball player in history, especially after selling his stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion back in 2023. His Jordan Brand with Nike continues printing money like it’s going out of style.

But this isn’t about the cash. It’s about legacy. “As professional athletes, we have an obligation to pay it forward,” Jordan said. “That’s part of what this is all about. As a basketball player, you should be able to pass on messages of success and dedication to the game of basketball.”

The Competitive Fire Still Burns

Despite his extended hiatus from the hardwood, Jordan made it crystal clear that his love for the game hasn’t diminished one bit. “Love it like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. “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.”

But Jordan’s also realistic about where he is now. The 62-year-old knows his playing days are long gone, even if his heart hasn’t gotten the memo. “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,” he said.

NBA On NBC: A Perfect Homecoming

Jordan’s return to NBC feels almost poetic. This is the network that broadcast so many of his legendary moments throughout the 1990s—those championship runs with the Bulls, the iconic John Tesh “Roundball Rock” theme song blaring as MJ did his thing.

NBC lost NBA rights after 2002, but they’re back now, and having Jordan as part of the package is the cherry on top. His new role as special contributor allows him to share insights from his Hall of Fame career while maintaining the distance from the spotlight he’s valued since retirement.

Since hanging up his sneakers in 2003 after 15 seasons, MJ has kept a relatively low profile. Sure, we’ve seen glimpses—his insane $115 million yacht, his custom private jet with a half-million-dollar paint job, courtside seats at games. But a regular television gig? That’s been off the table.

Until now.

The GOAT Debate Lives On

Jordan’s presence on NBC will undoubtedly reignite the eternal GOAT debate. Six championships. Six Finals MVPs. A perfect 6-0 record in the Finals. Those numbers speak for themselves, but having Jordan actively engaged with the current game adds a new dimension to the conversation.

His insights will carry weight that few others can match. When he talks about competition, dedication, or what it takes to win at the highest level, players and fans will listen.

More Than Just Basketball

What makes this NBC debut particularly compelling is the humanity behind it. Here is a guy who defined clutch, who never seemed fazed by anything, admitting he got nervous shooting a free throw for some kids. That vulnerability, that relatability, makes him more than just a basketball deity. It makes him real.

The free throw story encapsulates everything we love about MJ. The competitive spirit that made him say yes to the challenge. The pressure he felt to live up to his legend. And ultimately, the execution when it mattered, because that’s what champions do.

“That made my whole week,” Jordan said about making the shot. “I was able to please that kid, not knowing if I could.” That gratification Jordan felt? That’s the same feeling he gave basketball fans for 15 years. Every game-winner, every clutch performance, every championship—he pleased us all, never knowing if he could, but always finding a way.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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