How Kevin Hart pissed off Michael Jordan
Greatness recognizes greatness. That's how the old saying goes, as it holds the truth majority of the time. But when one of the greatest basketball players and one the greatest comedians ever met, one side wasn't particularly impressed with the other. This is how Kevin Hart managed to piss off Michael Jordan.
Legends of their craft
What more can you say about Michael Jordan that hasn't been said. The consensus greatest basketball player of all time, 6x champion with a perfect Finals record, global icon, and true revolutionist of the game of basketball, that influenced every kid growing up since the '80s to pick up a ball and start hooping.
On the other hand, Kevin Hart, in his field, is one of the most successful people on the planet. The comedian/actor is a true superstar and arguably one of the funniest people you will ever find. Outside of his craft, Hart is known as a die-hard basketball fan and 76ers supporter, that has connections with all the biggest stars in basketball, often participating in events from the NBA and its players.
How Hart managed to piss of MJ
Back in 2016, while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Hart talked about him meeting Jordan and hilariously described how the "fall-out" between the two started. Hart was hosting a charity event by Jordan in Las Vegas, as things turned south when the comedian started to take aim at MJ, making a couple of jokes at his expense, or to be more specific wardrobe choice:
Recommended Articles
"I pissed Mike off. Mike had a charity event in Las Vegas; they called me, they wanted me to host the event. So, I get there to host the event, and it's something where they're like auctioning things. It's a real tight crowd; very boujee, everybody's neck was really straight. So, I get up there, and I'm like, 'Hey, man, loosen up. Relax. You're here to have a good time. I start teasing him. I was like, 'Man, what age do you get to where it's OK to wear your pants that high, and nobody addresses it.' I was like, 'Y'all telling me I'm the only one that think Mike's past the legal limit for the waist.' But it was like fun jokes. "He had like the little square mustache at the time. And I was like, 'What is that?' I said, 'It looks like a thumbprint like you just smelled something.' And nobody's laughing. They got to a point where nobody's laughing.
Kevin Hart, Jimmy Kimmel Live
But Hart wouldn't stop there, as he was a bit intoxicated and having fun, but as he learned after the event by shaking hands with Jordan, he should have stopped a long time ago.
"He's actually giving me a look like, 'You going to keep on going? You ain't going to stop?' So, I don't care; I'm having a good time. I was laughing. I may or may not have been drunk at the time. So, I remember I hit him with one more, and nobody said nothing. So, I'm like, 'whatever. "I see him; I'm like, 'What up, Mike? Hey'.And he shook my hand, and he squeezed it real hard, and he was like, 'You have a good day.' I ain't seen him since. He's still my favorite player, though. He's still my favorite player, and if I see him again, I'm going to ask him about it. I'm like, 'You better lose the 'tude, man."
Kevin Hart, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Why you don't mess with MJ
Michael Jordan is not one of those guys you want to mess with, as he has that scary look in his eyes. Everyone feared him while he was playing, but as you can see in his post-playing career, MJ remained the same. Sure, you can crack a couple of jokes at him, but Hart took it too far, at least in Michael's eyes, as that was the last time they met. I'm pretty sure it was hilarious, but everyone in that room went dead silent because they didn't want to get on the wrong side of the GOAT. I can't say I blame them.
