The legends of yesterday squaring off with the superstars of today. No, this wasn’t a scene from the goofy Instagram duel between Shaquille O’Neal and Scottie Pippen that lit the Internet ablaze last week. Instead, it was a sight that had many a Chicago Bulls fan frothing at the mouth: the undisputed GOAT Michael Jordan squaring off with resident All-Star Jimmy Butler in a shooting skills exhibition.
The generational collision course took place over the weekend at Jordan’s summer youth camp. Jordan, 52, and Butler, 25, each teamed up with a camper and took turns letting it fly from different spots on the court. And in classic MJ fashion, Air Jordan emerged victorious in the battle of Chicago icons.
The episode is sure to add fuel to Jordan’s still-smoldering competitive fire, as he attempts to assemble a Hornets team full of players he can defeat one-on-one (I say this only half-jokingly).
Both men certainly have their concerns heading into next season. MJ is probably perpetually preoccupied crossing his fingers hoping Frank Kaminsky pans out. Meanwhile, Butler will look to build on his Most Improved Player campaign last year and dispel rumors of a perceived chasm between him and Derrick Rose. But both guys sure know how to put on a show on the basketball court, to say the absolute least.
If a guy at or near his physical peak like Butler succumbed to His Airness, 58-year-old Larry Bird wouldn’t stand a chance.
