Michael Jordan’s well-chronicled competitive streak doesn’t end at the edge of the basketball court. It flows into poker games, the golf course, the world of business, a game of Chutes and Ladders with his kids. It’s just who Jordan is, everything is a competition.
Including driving. Although there he’s almost willing to concede that Denny Hamlin — the winner of Sunday’s NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup race at Chicagoland Speedway — may be better than him. From our friend Jerry Bonkowski at our sister site NASCAR Talk.
“(Jordan) texted me Wednesday, said he was in Monte Carlo, and I popped in his head like I always do, which I thought was a little odd,” Hamlin quipped.
“And then he says, ‘I know you’re headed into the playoffs and I just want you to know I’ve never admitted to anybody that anyone is better than me at anything, my whole life.
“But if you win this race this weekend, I will admit that you’re a better driver than I am.’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’d be awesome.’”
Hamlin — who tore his ACL a couple of weeks ago playing pickup hoops — did win. So Jordan has to own up and admit it.
What’s next for Jordan, admitting Jason Day is a better golfer than he is? Lionel Messi is slightly better at soccer? Clayton Kershaw may be a better pitcher? When will the madness end?