Michael Keaton Recalls Flipping Michael Jordan’s Rage-Switch Over Dinner – “Immediately Got So Competitive With Me!”

What happened when The Batman met The Jumpman? Michael Keaton, widely known for his work in Hollywood, got an opportunity to have dinner with Jordan. Like any other fan of the Chicago Bulls legend, Keaton had some questions for him. We are all aware of how competitive the 6x NBA champion is on the court. After listening to Keaton’s story, it’s safe to say Jordan is competitive even in his sleep. The 72-year-old actor detailed his conversation with Jordan where he got a first-hand experience of how competitive the Bulls icon is. 

In a podcast episode with NFL star Cam Heyward, Keaton revealed, “I was having dinner with Jordan one time…Two things…We are sitting there and eating. ‘There’s seconds on the clock right, and you…’, I’m saying this to Michael. I’m saying, ‘It ain’t gonna be you, who…”. I don’t think I got the sentence out, like, ‘Who is the guy you are going with?’. I go, ‘Who is it…’, he goes, ‘(Larry) Bird’..”

Looks like Michael Jordan has answered this question several times before. Keaton understood that Jordan does not beat around the bush. There was no hesitation in MJ’s reply, and it stunned Keaton. But hold on, this is not the competitive side. Keaton and Jordan continued to talk about defense. 

The Golden Globe Award winner shared, “The other thing he did. He says something like, ‘I don’t know, you know, that defense was…’, to some shmuck like me, some guy who couldn’t throw a ball here from across the street. And he goes, ‘No it isn’t it. That’s not how it works (in an angry tone).” Jordan and Keaton had a difference in opinion and that switched on the former’s competitive side.  Keaton added, “He immediately got so competitive with me. Can you imagine what he was like?’.

 That’s a dinner to remember! Keaton was surprised that Jordan was so competitive even at the dinner table. However, he appreciates it too.

Michael Keaton believes the competitiveness is the reason behind Jordan’s success

Keaton, who starred as The Batman in three movies, knows what it takes to be competitive. However, that was Jordan’s trait in real life. In sports, the winning mentality is crucial to achieve greatness like MJ. Keaton doesn’t take it for granted, and he appreciates Jordan for being real outside the court as well. 

The 72-year-old said, “I like Michael. Everybody knows how competitive he is. Like beyond anybody. Like crazy. Kobe (Bryant) and him, that’s crazy. But that’s the only way you can be that great I think.” And that is also why Keaton is a huge fan of the NBA legend. 

Maybe, that is why he wore the custom Air Jordan 6s when he starred in The Batman Returns. This movie starred way back in 1992. So, it looks like Jordan played a small part in the huge success behind Keaton’s Batman franchise.

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