Watching Michael Jordan in his full glory in “The Last Dance” documentary series has stirred up some treasured memories for Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley.
Appearing on the newest episode of the “Drive & Dish” podcast along with Jazz teammate Georges Niang, Conley recalled the first time he met His Airness.
Per the 32-year-old facilitator, he was too starstruck at first to do or say anything when he came face to face with MJ as a kid during a golf tournament in the 1990s.
“I might have been five or six years old,” Conley shared. “My dad was at some event or charity event and Michael was there and got to meet him and I didn’t say two words to him, I was too nervous, too scared.”
Growing up I idolized MJ and now I get the chance to be a part of the Jordan brand family! Can't wait to lace up my @Jumpman23 tonight! pic.twitter.com/4ay4O4ghzA
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) October 26, 2016
With the urging of his father, USA track and field legend Mike Conley Sr., the youngster finally got a picture with Jordan which he cherishes to this day.
“I got to take a picture, shake hands, do all that,” Conley said. “From that day forward it was like, I am Michael Jordan everything.”
Although he never had a chance to play against his hero on the hardwood, Conley got to know the GOAT upon signing with the Jordan Brand in 2016.
Conley also “educated” his young teammate Niang about why MJ's greatness is still unparalleled even in today's game.
“I can’t explain to you how good he was,” Conley said. “The feeling that you got every time he touched the ball with five seconds to go, you just knew it was going in. You just knew it. There was no other thought, that feeling you’ve got to experience it yourself.”
Conley, meanwhile, has adjusted nicely in his first season in Salt Lake. The 6-foot guard normed 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 40.5 percent shooting from the field and 37.6 percent from downtown in 41 games.
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