Michael Jordan Ridiculed by 21YO Hornets Star as Hilarious Encounter Exposes Humbling Reality

Michael Jordan air balling a free throw would be a rare sight, but Brandon Miller witnessed it. And this moment even acted as an opportunity of a comeback at the Chicago Bulls icon during later interaction. The incident goes back to the time Miller was in his pre-draft workout and he had his first meeting with Mike. 

The Hornets star recollected the instance during his recent appearance on the ‘Knuckleheads Podcast’. “Jordan missing a free throw, it’s crazy”. On being asked on the podcast if he said anything about the missed free throw, the 21-year-old mentioned Mike kept telling him he couldn’t palm a basketball. “You can’t make a free throw,” was Miller’s reply to Michael Jordan.   

Some may wonder how someone can be so upfront with Mike, and the explanation for this lies in B-Mill’s belief system. He stated on the podcast that he was not nervous about meeting Michael Jordan for the first time and there is a simple reason for that.

“I don’t look at NBA guys like, you know, oh, this is who it is. I just look at him like, you know, somebody stepping in, in the building. Same thing as trying to get the same done I’m doing,” Miller said on the podcast. However, he hilariously recalls, that once he was done with the workout he was like, “let me get this picture right quick.” And the “can’t palm a basketball” joke continued even after Miller was drafted into the league. 

The time Michael Jordan called Brandon Miller after his draft pick   

B-Mill was drafted into the NBA by the Hornets with No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. And even with less than a day on the franchise, he already got a call from MJ, which started with the previous inside joke between the two. 

“Can you palm a ball yet?” Michael Jordan hilariously said on the call. He then welcomed the young talent, “I’m looking forward to seeing you play… I’m very proud. Very happy to have you,” he said. Now, the Hornets may have had a rough season, but Miller turned out to be impressive with his performance. Notably, the team ranked 13th in the conference standings, and subsequently failed to make it to the playoffs. 

B-Mill averaged 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Hornets this season. The stat-line is decently impressive, considering this was his first season. The next focus from hereon for the 21-year-old would be towards an impressive arc.