Byron Russell Still Ready To Play Michael Jordan … If He Shows Up
Remember Michael Jordan’s HOF speech in which he called out a healthy helping of adversaries who doubted him throughout his career? Some took offense to his tactics, but as I wrote at the time (first link below), it was just Michael being Michael — he’s the ultimate competitor. It’s how he became so great; he took any perceived slight and magnified it to fuel his fire.
Well, Byron Russell was one opponent Jordan mentioned in his speech. Russell was quick to bite back at Jordan. Then the owner of the D-League’s Utah Flash, Brandt Anderson, decided he’d set up the matchup, and the winner would donate $100,000 of Anderson’s money to his charity of choice. Seemed like nothing more than a publicity grab at the time.
But no. It’s going down on Monday. It’s just Jordan probably isn’t going to show.
That’s why this coming Monday, at half-time of the Utah Flash’s home opener against the Dakota Wizards, Andersen will be ready with a check for $100,000 to present to a charity selected by whoever wins a Russell-Jordan one-on-one matchup.
Russell swears he’ll be there, expecting to win. What’s less clear, is whether or not Jordan will show.
Andersen has handled the negotiations and isn’t counting it out: “We’ve had some conversations, and I think there’s a good possibility that he’s going to be here. He’ll say no he’s not. If you ask him straight on he’ll say no he won’t. If you ask his people they’ll say no he won’t. You know what, I’ve probably said too much. But I think there’s a good chance he might be here. Let’s leave it at that.”
I don’t know, I just don’t see Jordan stooping to this level and playing a gimmick game against Russell. It’s sort of a sad prospect if these two retired guys go at it in a public arena. They’d be no better than Uncle Rico.
But, who knows, maybe that ridiculous level of competitiveness inside Jordan, the man’s crutch, will overtake him, and he’ll show up and play Russell. Call it his post-career Washington Wizards moment.
Maybe Jordan can bring Tiger Woods along for moral support?
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