By now most NBA fans have heard about Michael Jordan talking about LeBron, Kobe, and OJ Mayo. Kobe first responded, then LeBron and now OJ Mayo. Jordan talked about destroying OJ at a 2006 basketball camp because OJ was talking trash (watch the video here at 1:32 mark). Well guess what finally popped up?! THAT video of MJ dominating Mayo — and Mayo reacting to what Jordan said.
Check it out…
Via LBS:
Mayo also told his version of the story in an interview with Bucks TV on Wednesday. Mayo admitted that Jordan worked him that night.
“I happened to be the only high school player [at the camp],” Mayo said. “It was mainly freshmen in college. So [Jordan] came on the court and he guarded me, so instantly I thought, ‘man, he must think I’m not the strong link over here.’ I got it going a little bit. Obviously it’s any ballplayer’s dream to play against Mike. I couldn’t tell you how many times I did his move.
“I got a few buckets and I think the campers knew I was only a high school kid, so they got rowdy a little bit. We got a little bit of jawing. We played two games — it was a team game. I think we split one and one. And then he said ‘OK, now let me handle my business.’ And he looked me in my face and I said ‘whatchu mean?’
“He said ‘I need all the campers and everybody to leave. Let’s clear the gym.’ And I said ‘oh man.’”
That’s when MJ taught Mayo the lesson.
“So we continued playing pickup, and Mike was Mike. He was jawing a little bit and really getting into me defensively. He was backing me down and said ‘you better scream for momma. Momma, momma!’” Mayo recalls Jordan chanting.
“He hit the famous fadeaway on me. So I said ‘OK, OK, you got it going.’
“And then he said, ‘Fella, let me tell you something. You may be the best high school player in the world, but I’m the greatest ever. Don’t you ever disrespect the great like that!”
Mayo reflected on the night and explained why he had the gall to go after Jordan.
“At the end of the day people ask ‘why would you talk smack to Mike?’ At the end of the day it’s still basketball. You definitely respect everything Mike’s done for the game. But when you’re a young buck, and you get a chance to go at the top, I kind of had the mentality that I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. And Mike did what he had to do,” Mayo said with a smile.
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