Playing against or alongside Michael Jordan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone, and that’s exactly what Casey Jacobson experienced while playing alongside the greatest player in basketball.
Don’t arrive, young blood
The former NBA player recalled an incredible five-on-five game with the Chicago Bulls legend when he was invited to coach at Michael Jordan’s Flight School in Santa Barbara, California, in 2000.
Initially, it was fun for Jacobson to play with his childhood idol until Jordan talked some intense trash while trying to defend him.
“Even though it’s just one game, I’m guarding Michael Jordan,” Jacobson recalls. “My next thought was, ‘Don’t embarrass yourself in front of your idol!’ MJ didn’t have the ball at the time, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he got the ball, and he cut to the top of the key from the three-point line and connected with Darius Pass by S Miles.
“That’s it! My moment. It’s me and him one-on-one. Jordan had me stand in front of the basket and hold the ball in one hand like I always do (he has huge hands). And then He stopped, looked at me a second and said, ‘You know… no white boy has been able to stop me before,'” Casey added.
A mesmerizing show with goats
From that point on, Casey took advantage of both a great opportunity and Michael’s harsh criticism. And, despite the amount of trash talk he received as a 19-year-old white boy, he was happy to have his own priceless MJ moment that he will always remember with pride.
“I can’t believe it. MJ was talking trash to me!” Jacobson said. “I suppressed my laughter and before I could think about it again, he dribbled to the left and pulled up for a jump shot. I tried my best to stay in front of him and put my hand on his face. Luckily, I missed. “
I have added: “I was running across the field asking myself if that encounter really happened. It did, and it was awesome.”