Charles Barkley has become everyone’s favorite uncle in the NBA. The Hall of Famer has long hung up his shoes and has been the voice of the fans for a generation. However, there was a time when “Sir Charles” was one of the great competitors in the sport. So competitive that he would even go at Shaq ready to fight. But there was one competitor during Charles’ days on the court that would never let his competitive spirit fade. You may have heard of him. He’s the one everyone wanted to be like.
Michael Jordan is the game of basketball to an entire generation. If you were to debate the greatest of all time with a Mike supporter, your argument would be disregarded. However, one of the things that made Mike so special was his competitive nature. Over the years, stories have been told about just how much Jordan wants to be the best. Recently, Barkley revealed a hilarious story on how competitive Jordan can genuinely be.
“Michael [Jordan] looked up and said ‘I got the point guard. He said some sh** about me in the newspaper.’… He played 36 holes of golf and he’s guarding this dude like it’s Game 7.”
Barkley remembers the day that Team USA met Puerto Rico in the 92 Olympics when Jordan played 36 holes of golf before the game. While that sounds ridiculous enough, Barkley went on to tell how Jordan wanted to guard the point guard of the Puerto Rican national team. All because Jordan read in the papers that the player said something about him. Barkley recounts that Jordan guarded the guy like the NBA championship was on the line. Listen to the clip of the story in the video above.
The legend of Jordan continues to grow even though he hasn’t played professionally in over 20 years. Barkley’s story is just another reason why many believe the Chicago star is the greatest to play the game. All athletes have a competitive nature. However, only a select few are willing to do everything it takes to sit on top of the mountain. The greatest of all debates must be stopped, as many athletes deserve praise. However, there’s never been, and they’ll never be, another Michael Jordan. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan has reached an agreement to sell his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, marking the end of his 13-year tenure as the team’s majority owner. The sale, valued at approximately $3 billion, is led by a group of investors including renowned rapper J. Cole, adding an exciting twist to the deal. […]
Michael Jordan is $3 billion dollars richer after selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkina nd Rick Schnall. Jordan’s tenure as majority owner ends at 13 years.
With the sale, Jordan will continue to oversee the team’s basketball operations through the NBA draft and the start of free agency on July 1. When Jordan first purchased the majority stake, he paid $275 million.
In 2019, Plotkin became a minority stakeholder in the Hornets and has since served as an alternate governor on the NBA Board of Governors. He is the founder and chief investment officer of Tallwoods Capital LLC. Meanwhile, Schnall, who has been with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC for 27 years, holds a co-president position. He has been a significant minority owner of the Atlanta Hawks and an alternate governor on the NBA Board of Governors since 2015. Currently, Schnall is in the process of finalizing the sale of his investment in the Hawks, which is anticipated to be completed within the coming weeks.
For a bit of Hip-Hop flare, The Buyer group includes J. Cole, who will be a part owner. Additional owners include Chris Shumway, Dan Sundheim, Ian Loring, Dyal HomeCourt Partners, country music singer-songwriter Eric Church, and several local Charlotte investors, including Amy Levine Dawson and Damian Mills. Jordan will retain a minority ownership share.
Last season the Hornets finished 27-55 and now hold the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft.
However, this could be the start of a new era in Charlotte. The Hornets have long been regarded as one of the NBA’s worst teams. Since Jordan assumed majority ownership in 2010, the team has had just three winning seasons and two playoff appearances. Last season, the team went 27-55 under head coach Steve Clifford. 2022-23 marked the first season of Clifford’s second stint with the team. Previously, Clifford had coached the Hornets between 2013 and 2018. However, the new ownership group also features a famous face from the music world.
First reported by Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, North Carolina rapper J. Cole will hold a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets once the sale is finalized. Cole was born in Frankfurt, Germany but raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A lifelong sports fan, specifically basketball, Cole has made several headlines related to the NBA in recent months. Namely, Cole was behind the Miami Heat’s signing of Caleb Martin, a fellow North Carolinian who found himself in Cole’s gym after being cut by the Hornets. Martin later thanked Cole for the opportunity after the Miami Heat made the NBA Finals this season. Elsewhere, LSU star Flau’jae Johnson named Cole as her dream music collab.
Zillgitt also revealed that Eric Church was another member of the ownership group. Church, born in Granite Falls, North Carolina, is a country singer with six top-five charting albums. However, Cole’s love of basketball makes it no surprise that the musician would become part of the new-look Hornets. The final price of the sale has not yet been made public. However, Jordan bought majority ownership of the team in 2010 for $180 million. Do you think that the new ownership will turn the Hornets around? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports and music news here at HotNewHipHop.
After retiring from the NBA, Michael Jordan went into sports ownership. In 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in the then-Charlotte Bobcats. Furthermore, Jordan assumed full control of basketball operations under the title of Manager Member of Basketball Operations. Jordan became the team’s majority owner in 2010. The team became the Hornets ahead of the 2014-15 season. It was a return to the name the team had formerly had before briefly relocating to New Orleans.
However, the Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the NBA since Jordan took over. Not that the Hornets were good before but Jordan has mismanaged the team, turning them into the laughingstock of the league. In his second full season of ownership, 2011-12, the Hornets won seven games. Additionally, the team has had just three winning seasons and two playoff appearances. Now, it looks as if a new era is beginning in Charlotte.
Jordan Sells The Hornets
BREAKING: Michael Jordan is finalizing a sale of the Charlotte Hornets to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year run as majority owner, league sources told ESPN on Friday. pic.twitter.com/5TonSrIQhF
Jordan has made it no secret that he is looking to part ways with the Hornets for some time. However, June 16 marked a major breakthrough on that front. ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski revealed that Jordan had finalized a deal to sell the team. The sale, which is for an as-yet undisclosed amount, will see an ownership group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall take the reins. Plotkin is a co-founder of the somewhat infamous venture capital firm Melvin Capital. Meanwhile, Schnall is co-president of the private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier, & Rice. Additionally, Schnall owns a minority stake in the Atlanta Hawks.
The news coincided with major rumors about the team’s immediate future. Marc Stein has reported that the Hornets are in talks with the New Orleans Pelicans about a major trade. The anchor of this deal will see 2019 first-overall pick Zion Williamson head to Charlotte in exchange for the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. Adding Williamson, who is an elite, MVP-caliber player when healthy, could be the immediate reverse of fortune that the Hornets desperately need. There are multiple developing stories happening in Charlotte and we’ll have updates on all of them here at HotNewHipHop.
Michael Jordan is one of the most famous athletes in the history of the world. Overall, he has delivered some truly iconic moments in the sports world. Of course, many of these moments took place in the 90s when he won all of his six titles. Although every single title was special, his fifth in 1997 was pretty amazing. He and the Chicago Bulls knocked out the Utah Jazz in six games. However, in Game 5, Jordan battled through food poisoning and dropped a whopping 38 points.
At the time, this was a huge accomplishment that was nicknamed the “Flu Game.” Moreover, the Air Jordan 12 “Bred” colorway he was wearing at the time got the very same nomenclature. Since that time, Jordan Brand has sought to give fans a ton of retros of this model. As TMZ reports, Goldin Auctions has just sold the game-worn Jordan 12s from that infamous game. Yes, that’s right, one lucky bidder now has THE “Flu Game” sneaker that Jordan used in Game 5 of the ’97 Finals.
As Ken Goldin explained to the outlet, these shoes sold for a massive price of $1.38 million. This is truly huge for a sneaker, however, it still isn’t the largest sale for a shoe worn by Michael Jordan. Instead, a sneaker from his final NBA Finals sold for more. That said, this is still a historic sale that probably made the lucky winner very happy. However, their wallet is probably feeling some immediate effects right now.
This latest sale truly begs the question of how much higher can these prices go. At this point, it seems like memorabilia will just continue to climb in price. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that fans can even do about it at this point. Let us know your thoughts on this most recent sale, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the sneaker world.
Lil Wayne ranked some of the top basketball players of all-time during his appearance on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All The Smoke podcast.
His choice was between LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan, to which he responded, “Bron, Mike and Kobe.”
From there, he went on to explain his decision behind the ranking.
“Bron, I don’t know Bron personally so my answer for Bron would be from afar,” Lil Wayne said, noting that he appreciated his stats. “My answer for Bron is on the court. Bron, you gotta remember, I know for a fact I loved Jordan for the way he always won. As a kid, you don’t know too much about the ins and outs of the game.
“I got old enough to know how hard it is to f*cking do it back-to-back-to-back,” he added, according to HipHopDX. “So that’s where he got his respect with me to and started getting his respect with me to where he’s the greatest.”
He continued to point out that he respected LeBron’s swap between three different teams over the championships.
“That’s right there, that’s when regardless he ain’t got six, but he done it with three different teams,” Wayne noted. “And not on one of those m*thaf*ckin’ teams did he play role two. That right there is what tipped him over the Jordan scale for me.”
There are three names that sit atop the list of basketball’s greatest players. Of course, you have six-time champion and five-time MVP Michael Jordan (1984-2003). Then there’s career Laker and five-time champion Kobe Bryant (1996-2016). Finally, you have LeBron James (2003-Present), the four-time champion and four-time MVP. Each player has their pros and cons in the GOAT debate but few, if any, players even come close to being comparable to them.
Meanwhile, alongside his prolific rap career, Lil Wayne is a massive basketball fan. Originally from New Orleans, Wayne is a proud and diehard Lakers fan. Elsewhere, he almost made his presence known during the Women’s NCAA Tournament this year. Wayne found time to link up with both Miami’s Cavinder Twins and LSU’s National Championship-winning squad. But who does Wayne believe is the true basketball GOAT?
“Bron, I don’t know Bron personally so my answer for Bron would be from afar,” he began. “My answer for Bron is on the court. Bron, you gotta remember, I know for a fact I loved Jordan for the way he always won. As a kid, you don’t know too much about the ins and outs of the game. I got old enough to know how hard it is to fucking do it back-to-back-to-back. So that’s where he got his respect with me to and started getting his respect with me to where he’s the greatest. It’s very hard to do, and that n-gga Bron did that shit with three different teams That’s right there, that’s when regardless he ain’t got six, but he done it with three different teams. That right there is what tipped him over the Jordan scale for me.”
Wayne’s ranking on the All The Smoke podcast comes in stark contrast to where his mind at in 2012. “He’s inspired not only songs, but he’s inspired me in life in general just the way he attacks things, the way he never backs down, the way he fights through injury. I believe he’s the greatest player to touch a basketball.” Furthermore, Wayne was such a fan of Bryant that he named a 2009 track in honor of the career Laker. Kobe now drops from #1 to #3. However, what do you think? Is Wayne on the right track? Or is this an airball? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
Since its inception in 1985, Nike’s Air Jordan has been a game-changing staple in sports and footwear. To the astonishment of many, the shoe generated an unprecedented $126 million in its first year. This ultra-premium sneaker features groundbreaking design and advanced performance technology, embodying both lavish luxury and nostalgic prestige. Tinker Hatfield‘s captivating designs of Air Jordan have enthralled global audiences with classic silhouettes over four decades. Out of all the varied styles available, some truly stand out as special. Here are the best Air Jordans.
8. Air Jordan V
Air Jordan 5 Craft “Light Orewood Brown.” Image via Nike
Heavily inspired by Michael Jordan’s game, the Air Jordan V’s iconic silhouette originated in the late 80s with Nike designer, Tinker Hatfield. The Air Jordan V stands out from its predecessors with notable design elements. Fueling its resurgence in recent years, influential icons like Will Smith reignited Air Jordan’s popularity. Collaborations with Supreme, Clot, Paris Saint Germain, DJ Khaled, and Virgil Abloh have further propelled it to legendary status. Furthermore, this classic sneaker firmly entrenched itself in pop culture as it embodies an unmistakable retro vibe and timeless appeal.
The VI aided MJ’s quest for a championship title with its timeless design and meticulous attention to detail. Its remodeled midsole and tongue set it apart from its predecessors, while a two-layer upper offered scope for stylish color blocking Additionally, this model gained renown for its iconic outsole colorways, drawing inspiration from fighter planes and German cars. Throughout decades of alteration in men’s fashion, the VI’s popularity never faltered, remaining an influential symbol in streetwear. Ultimately, Jordan VI was vociferously present as MJ grabbed his first NBA Championship crown.
6. Air Jordan VII
Air Jordan 7 “Cardinal.” Image via Nike.
Showcasing a high ankle silhouette, innovative tongue, and pronounced midsole detail, the Air Jordan VII set the standard for its successors in the following years. This iconic sneaker marked Michael Jordan’s triumphant return to basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Derived from Nike’s Huarache technology, designer Tinker Hatfield combined sportswear style with hard-hitting African tribal prints. To honor this legacy, Nike released seven original colorways, including the Chicago Bull-inspired #9 heel.
5. Air Jordan XIII
Air Jordan 13 “Black-University Blue.” Image via Nike.
Michael Jordan’s iconic Air Jordan XIII capped off his Bulls career in unforgettable style. As the founding design of MJ’s own eponymous brand, it offers a unique aesthetic inspired by the “Black Cat’s” nickname. The design features a leather upper, plush side panels, and most notably, an eye-catching holographic eye panel and panther-inspired outsole. The AJ XIII also has a big screen role, with Denzel Washington donning them in Spike Lee‘s classic He Got Game. Reaching record heights recently, they sold for $378,000 at the Christie’s “Six Rings” auction and were featured in ESPN/Netflix doc The Last Dance. Even after two decades, these classic sneakers remain performance powerhouses and coveted collector gems.
Tinker Hatfield’s design of the Air Jordan IV was an iconic success. It included a unique toe box, netting on the side, and lacing eyelets, and without the III’s elephant print on the heel. Simultaneously, further iconic moments both in and out of sports culture, such as Michael Jordan’s game-winning shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers in their Playoff series and Spike Lee’s critically acclaimed Do the Right Thing, cemented the sneaker’s legacy. In addition to its timeless fashion and technology being reworked into other models of the line, the style’s numerous collaborations with artists such as Eminem, Travis Scott, Mark Wahlberg, Union, Undftd, Virgil Abloh, and Kaws have all reinforced its strong standing in the footwear world.
The legendary Air Jordan III is the epitome of high performance, fashion, and pop culture. Famed designer Tinker Hatfield’s pristine high-top design with its iconic elephant print detailing on the heel and toe was an instant classic when it was initially released. This style soared to fame when Michael Jordan donned it for his revered 1988 Slam Dunk Contest in Chicago. Film star Spike Lee also made the sneaker iconic with his role alongside MJ in Nike advertisements and his acclaimed movie She’s Gotta Have It. In terms of fashion, this classic silhouette has rivaled the likes of the Nike Blazer, Adidas Superstar, and current designs from luxury brands Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Balenciaga. Complementing any fit, many celebrate the timeless style of the Air Jordan III, from casual to special occasions. This includes DJ Khaled, retailer A Ma Maniére, and iconic collaborator Hiroshi Fujiwara and his Fragment Design label.
Jordan returned with a vengeance in 1995, debuting the Air Jordan XI as his weapon of choice for the season. This iconic silhouette boasted a full-length carbon fiber plate for movement, along with nylon upper and webbing loops for the lacing system. The sneaker also had a patent leather panel on the toe and around the design, which hasn’t been replicated since. With its storybook performance that season, coupled with its unique characteristics, this shoe became an instant classic – exuding both power and sophistication, the XI was dubbed the “tuxedo sneaker.” Every year, collectors eagerly anticipate the holiday closure of the Jordan calendar, waiting to grab their hands on this remarkable sneaker.
1. Air Jordan I
Air Jordan 1 High OG “Lost & Found.” Image via Nike.
Having previously represented Adidas, Jordan initially declined Nike’s offer. Yet, with the persuasion of his agent and family, he eventually decided to meet with the small sneaker company. Unexpectedly, they proposed an unprecedented offer for Michael—his own signature line along with six figures. Before the renowned Air Jordan, the “Air Ship” model preceded, but it was his one-of-a-kind style that revolutionized the court.
His first sneaker, the Air Jordan I, became a symbol of design perfection, offering superior performance, comfort, and versatility. Despite rapidly advancing styles, 2007 marked a historic moment with “Old Love/New Love” iconic colors. Moreover, this revolutionary shoe continues to set boundaries beyond design innovation. Concurrently, through classic colorways and collaborations, it is inspiring creativity among artists, creators, and musicians alike.
Scottie Pippen slammed Michael Jordan as a “horrible player” during a new interview on Stacey King’s Gimme The Hot Sauce podcast. He also labeled LeBron James the greatest statistical player of all time.
“LeBron will be the greatest statistical guy to ever play the game of basketball,” Pippen said. “And there’s no comparison to him. None. So does that make him the greatest player to ever play the game?”
Michael Jordan (L) and Scottie Pippen (R) of the Chicago Bulls talk during the final minutes of their game 22 May in the NBA Eastern Conference finals aainst the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls won the game 75-68 to lead the series 2-0. AFP PHOTO/VINCENT LAFORET (Photo by VINCENT LAFORET / AFP) (Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images)
While Pippen didn’t directly name his pick for the overall greatest player of all time, it certainly isn’t Michael Jordan. From there, he explained why he believes Jordan to be so overrated. “I’ll leave that up for debate, because I don’t believe there’s a great player because our game’s a team game, and one player can’t do it,” Pippen said. “I saw Jordan play before I came to play with the Bulls. You guys saw him play. He was a horrible player. He was horrible to play with. He was all one-on-one, he’s shooting bad shots, and all of a sudden we become a team and we start winning and everybody forgot who he was.”
In addition to Pippen and Jordan being teammates throughout the 1990s, Jordan’s son, Marcus, is now dating Pippen’s ex-wife, Larsa. Pippena and Larsa finalized their divorce back in 2021.
#Bulls Scottie Pippen: “LeBron James will be the greatest statistical [player] to ever play the game of basketball. [Michael Jordan] was a horrible player.” pic.twitter.com/j3bQ8rWcte
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) May 26, 2023
The comments from Pippen come after LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers suffered a loss in the Western Conference Finals to the Denver Nuggets. Following the last game of the series, James admitted he’ll consider retirement this offseason.
