Former NFL player Marcellus Wiley recalled a story involving Michael Jordan and Jamal Crawford, claiming that the two basketball stars participated in a shooting competition that eventually resulted in Crawford losing his Mercedes.
According to Wiley, the contest began with a relatively small wager before Jordan increased the stakes following the opening round.
“Jamal Crawford challenged Michael Jordan to a three-point shootout for $1,000. Yep, I know what y’all thinking. That’s it? I was thinking the same thing. I was like, well, maybe Jamal doesn’t bet because I know Michael Jordan gambles. So maybe Jamal’s not a betting type like me. So he’s just like, ‘All right, put a little skin in the game. Let’s go.’”
Jordan reportedly won the first competition, collecting the $1,000 wager before suggesting that they increase the amount to $5,000.
“Okay, so Jordan won. And then he was like, ‘Dog, $1,000 is for babies,’ and upped the amount to five G’s. Now, you know Jamal. He’s not a gambling man, maybe, but he ain’t no punk either, right? And the boy can shoot. Oh, he can shoot!”
Crawford, who was known for his shooting and ball-handling throughout his NBA career, reportedly won the second contest. However, Jordan was not finished competing and proposed another wager.
This time, the six-time NBA champion reportedly asked Crawford what vehicle he had driven to the location, leading to a discussion about betting their cars.
“And this time, Jamal won. Michael Jordan then asked Jamal, ‘What car did you drive up here with? What kind of car did you drive here with?’ Jamal replied, ‘A Mercedes.’ You know, probably back then, what was it? A Benz 190 2.5? Nah, he probably had a 560 SEC with the Alpine kit, whatever the hell that was. That big Transformer-looking Mercedes. But he said, ‘I got a Mercedes. I got a Benz outside.’”
According to Wiley’s account, Jordan revealed that he had arrived in a Ferrari and suggested putting both vehicles on the line in another shooting competition.
“Jordan said, ‘I came with a Ferrari.’ That Modena or something, right? Whoa! I love it, love it, love it. I love your Ferrari, damn it! Let’s bet our cars… So now, you know Jamal ain’t no punk. You’re like, ‘All right, let’s do it.’”
Crawford reportedly accepted the challenge, setting up a final round with considerably higher stakes than the original $1,000 wager.
Wiley claimed that Jordan made all five of his shots in the deciding contest, winning Crawford’s Mercedes.
“Jordan went five for five. Remove Crawford’s personalized license plate. Get that off of it! What do you think his license plate said? J-Craw Five or something? Took it off and left with his Benz. Took that dude’s Benz off of a three-point shooting contest they had. Crazy, man!”
