I’m sorry I just don’t believe that Michael Jordan was ever scared to take on a player. I just don’t. Maybe MJ just didn’t want to embarrass anyone or didn’t want to waste his time??? It’s just like recently when the Grizzlies owner challenged MJ to a game 1-on-1 — he laughed about it. It definitely wasn’t about being a chicken. Check out this story after the jump & let us know what you think…
Via TMZ:
Someone should check Michael Jordan for feathers and a beak, ’cause the NBA legend CHICKENED OUT of a 1-on-1 basketball challenge from Bryon Russell after MJ called him out in his 2009 Hall of Fame induction speech
MJ’s challenge is legendary — on the day he was inducted, he stood on the podium and vowed to play Bryon anytime, any place … saying, “From this day forward, if I ever see [Bryon] in shorts, I’m coming at him (see video below around 21:00).”
FYI — the two have had a rivalry ever since Jordan beat Russell’s defense in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals and sank the game-winning shot (though some people say, MJ illegally pushed off).
Well, TMZ Sports has learned … that right after MJ’s HOF speech, Russell placed a call to Jordan, challenging him to a televised 1-on-1 match … and the profits would all go towards charity.
But Jordan REFUSED — and according to Bryon, who called in to “TMZ Sports” Jordan didn’t even give a good reason … “he just didn’t wanna do it.”
Still, Russell GUARANTEES he would have (and still could) beat Michael if the NBA legend ever changes his mind — saying, “There’s no ‘Jordan rules’ when you play 1-on-1.”
