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- Michael Jordan was in prime form at the NBA All-Star Game
- The legend seemed to be very serious about playing a one-on-one game against Magic Johnson after running into him backstage
- Read more NBA news here
On Sunday night, a collection of the best players to ever step on the hardwood descended upon Cleveland as the NBA honored the members of the 75 legends who were named to its 75th Anniversary Team.
During the pregame ceremony, Ray Allen treated us to a fairly awkward moment at the expense of Kevin Garnett, and while Michael Jordan received the loudest cheer of the night, Charles Barkley wasn’t exactly enthused with his fellow Dream Teamer for apparently ignoring him while happily dapping up some of the other guys on the list His Airness graced the top of when the final rankings were unveiled last week.
Magic Johnson, on the other hand, seemed pretty pleased when he ran into Jordan backstage, and their meeting spawned one of the most entertaining moments of the night.
After spotting the man he dubbed an “old dog,” the 59-year-old Jordan challenged a giggling Johnson to a game of one-on-one—a challenge that initially came off like a joke but that the G.O.A.T appeared to be very serious about based on the expression of the face of the famed competitor.
59-year-old Michael Jordan challenges Magic Johnson to a game of 1-on-1 right now! #NBA75
Magic’s laugh 😂 pic.twitter.com/o8H8OOrDLL
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 21, 2022
Based on the reactions to the video, plenty of people noticed Jordan didn’t seem to be kidding.
Magic! "Jordan On his way to the gym, you staying?"
Magic: pic.twitter.com/hVEFjegLH3
— TheHomieJoker🃏 (@TheHomieJoker) February 21, 2022
Fun? MJ wasn’t having fun. Bro was dead serious 😂 https://t.co/AqyhJtXNzK
— Bruce Wayne🦇 (@just_squid) February 21, 2022
Michael Jordan was serious when he challenged Magic Johnson on a one on one. pic.twitter.com/boouYfVg37
— JR (@JRbee_1) February 21, 2022
Michael Jordan whenever he sees Magic Johnson pic.twitter.com/EiUWMXDckz
— Buddy X (@MikeTroy81) February 21, 2022
Run that proposed 1990 Jordan vs. Magic PPV in Vegas back now. pic.twitter.com/G0BaIP4WKA #nba #NBAAllStar
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) February 21, 2022
I’d pay $5 for a Jordan-Magic 1-on-1 pay-per-view game. pic.twitter.com/rVQfZ2TOwd
— Play Kuminga (@SurfJournalist) February 21, 2022
Instead of the celebrity game, we need the old heads game https://t.co/JLM9Gl4rxd
— nosleumas xela (@sammy_samuelson) February 21, 2022
The underwhelming nature of this year’s festivities sparked a number of discussions about ways the NBA can revamp its All-Star Weekend, and while it’s doubtful the league will seize on the opportunity to exploit the goldmine Jordan floated here, I can’t think of a better way to drum up interest than to introduced a one-on-one tourney featuring some retired greats.