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Michael Jordan opened up on life beyond basketball, family priorities, and memories of his legendary Chicago Bulls career.
Michael Jordan (AFP)
Michael Jordan is back — but not lacing up his sneakers.
The NBA legend made his small-screen debut during the halftime of the Houston Rockets–Oklahoma City Thunder season opener on NBC, launching his new series, MJ: Insights to Excellence.
Sitting down with Mike Tirico, the six-time champion opened up about life beyond basketball, the game he misses oh-so-dearly, and how he’s learned to value what really matters.
“You never really know when you’re in the prime of your career how much time you really do not have for family,” Jordan reflected.
“That’s what I have time to do now. The most valuable asset I have is time. So that’s probably why you don’t see enough of me — because that time I’m trying to spend with family and things I’ve been missing out on for such a long time.”
Still a Shooter at Heart
Asked if he still plays, Jordan laughed. “I haven’t picked up a ball in years,” he admitted.
Then he recalled the last time he took a shot — an impromptu free throw at the Ryder Cup.
Here is the video footage of Jordan making that free throw he talked about on his show on NBC. Just in case you were wondering, Mike doesn’t make up stories; he’s very authentic—unlike some people today. (@matthewterryTMR) pic.twitter.com/Rd0AvERcIV— Jacob (@Jacobtheclipper) October 23, 2025
Naturally, he drained it.
“That made my whole week,” he said with a grin.
From Court Legend to Cultural Icon
Jordan wasn’t just a basketball player — he was basketball.
Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984, he turned the franchise into a global force. With six championships, five MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, MJ made greatness look effortless.
His 1993 retirement to play baseball stunned the world, but his 1995 “I’m back” comeback sealed his mythic status — complete with another three-peat from ‘96 to ‘98.
A Competitor Forever
Though he misses the game, Jordan accepts that his playing days are behind him.
“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. I miss it.”
“But 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.”
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
October 23, 2025, 15:59 IST
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