Stephen A. Smith reveals how Michael Jordan didn’t ‘care’ about his sneaker opinions
Stephen A. Smith shares a hilarious story about how he offended Michael Jordan with his sneaker critique.
Stephen A. Smith is one of the most outspoken and influential sports journalists in the US. He is known for his fiery debates and hot takes on ESPN’s First Take and other shows. But he also has a passion for sneakers and fashion, especially when it comes to basketball legends like Michael Jordan.
Smith recently shared a story on Sneaker Shopping With Complex about how he once tried to give Jordan some advice on his sneaker choices but was met with indifference and dismissal by the six-time NBA champion.
Stephen A. Smith said he was at a charity event in Chicago in 2003, where Jordan was also present. He said he approached Jordan and complimented him on his outfit, but then noticed that he was wearing a pair of Air Jordan 18s, which Smith did not like. “I said to him, ‘Mike, you know I love you like a brother. You’re the greatest of all time. But those sneakers are trash,'” Smith recalled.
He said he expected Jordan to laugh or joke with him, but instead, he got a cold response. “Jordan looked at me and said, ‘Who the hell are you to tell me what sneakers to wear?‘” Smith said. He said Jordan then pointed at his own feet and said, “These are mine. I own these. I don’t care what you think.” Smith said he was stunned by Jordan’s reaction and realized that he had crossed a line.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God. I just insulted Michael Jordan,‘” Smith said. He said he quickly apologized and tried to change the subject, but Jordan was not interested in talking to him anymore. “He just walked away from me,” Smith said.
Also Read: How many games did Michael Jordan miss in his NBA career?
Why Michael Jordan didn’t care about Stephen A. Smith’s opinion?
Smith said he later learned why Jordan was so dismissive of his sneaker opinion. He said it had nothing to do with him personally, but rather with Jordan’s mindset and philosophy when it came to his shoes.
“Michael Jordan didn’t care about anybody’s opinion about his sneakers because he believed that they were an extension of himself,” Smith explained. He said Jordan viewed his sneakers as a reflection of his personality, style, and legacy. He said Jordan wanted to create something unique and original that would stand out from the crowd and inspire others.
“He wanted to be different. He wanted to be special. He wanted to be iconic,” Smith added.
He said that’s why Jordan never followed trends or copied other players’ shoes. He said he always had a vision for what he wanted his sneakers to look like and how they would perform on the court. “He didn’t care what anybody else thought because he knew what he liked and what worked for him,” Smith ended.
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