Michael Jordan’s Terror Failed to Stop 42-Year-Old NBA Veteran, Who “Stepped Up” and Held His Own

Darius Miles’ NBA career ended tragically because of an injury. On the latest episode of Run it Back, he recalls a funny incident involving Michael Jordan. He was invited to a camp and what transpired was like a dream for anyone.

 “I played against him my first time playing and uh, you know, everybody was kind of scared to guard him. So I, you know, I stepped up to the plate, I was only like going to be in 10th grade. So I stepped up to the plate like I guard him and he just like, he just, he hit every shot he took. But uh I blocked his shot once I blocked the shot once. 

But after that game, he (Michael Jordan) switched teams and made me play with him for the rest of the week. And, uh, and that showed that, uh, it, it made me confident because it showed that he respected how hard I played and how competitive I was at high school against him.”

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Meeting Michael Jordan provided a sense of belonging

Darius Miles explains how Michael Jordan reacted to seeing them wearing the AND1 collection. How Jordan was disappointed in them and helped them secure a deal with Nike. Miles considers His Airness more than just an idol. He revealed the details on The Players Tribune, What the Hell Happened to Darius Miles?

After the camp, Miles describes how his family felt about him meeting his idol. “After the camp, I got a picture with him and everything, and I took it home and put it on the mantle like MJ was one of my uncles or something. And I remember my momma said, “What’s MJ like?” And Miles said, “Momma, it’s so crazy. Michael Jordan was out here cussin’. He talks just like us!”

It was a familiar feeling when Jordan was around. No big ego at that time, bonding and creating relationships with the majority helped a lot in building confidence. It gave Miles the confidence to build his career in the NBA. “That was the first glimmer of hope, like … Oh damn, Michael Jordan is like me. He’s a normal dude. Maybe I can make it.”

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