Michael Jordan shot the action-animated classic “Space Jam” in the summer of 1995, and at that time, the Chicago Bulls legend wanted to make sure that he would still be able to keep in shape despite the demanding schedule of shooting a full-length feature film.
To address this concern, Jordan asked the movie's producers for a venue where he could keep on practicing. He shared how this came to be on Sunday's episodes of “The Last Dance.”
“I said look, I need to practice, I need a facility where I can work out,” Jordan said, via Robby Kalland of Uproxx. “‘Oh don’t worry about that. We can build you that.’ And sure enough, when we got out there, it was all set up.
“After we finished, which was usually around 7, we’d invite people over and we’d play pickup games.”
Indiana Pacers great Reggie Miller was one of the participants of the aforementioned tuneup games, and according to him, taking part in those contests proved to be one of the best experiences of his basketball career. It was also at this time when Miller learned about Jordan's insane work ethic first hand.
“It was some of the best games,” Miller said. “There were no officials, so you were calling your own fouls. So it was a little more rugged and raw. I don’t know how he did it. I don’t know how he had the energy to film all day and then still play three hours. I mean we would play until like 9 or 10 at night and he still had to get weightlifting in and his call time was like at 6 or 7 in the morning. So I don’t know how, this dude was like a vampire for real.”
For Michael Jordan, it was a tremendous experience as well, as it also provided a way for him to recharge after a long day filming.
“Playing against the young talent, they were full of energy and I had to excel my energy and get my talents back,” Jordan recalled.
It would be awesome if we get more footage of those actual games. Surely, it would have been a treat to see these legends play in their natural element.
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