With ESPN airing it’s highly-anticipated documentary series The Last Dance, focusing on Michael Jordan and the 90’s Chicago Bulls, MJ fever is at a high it hasn’t been since the legend left the NBA.

Beyond the story being told by ESPN, there’s a waterfall of MJ content coming from all angles. One of our favourites since the MJ train arrived at the station a few weeks ago has to be this story told by comedian Gary Vider:

 

 

 

From 1993-1997 My father and I ran a scam saying I was a reporter for Sports Illustrated for Kids and he was a photographer. My dad would smooth talk our way into games at Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum without a ticket and get us access into the locker rooms. When we would get in the locker room I would (fake) interview the players, take pictures, and get autographs. One of the closest calls we ever had was Michael Jordan’s first game back at MSG after he took a year and half off to play baseball. We’d been to the Garden countless times before but this time an actual reporter and photographer for Sports Illustrated for Kids showed up. My dad made it a point for us to say hi to them, never telling them who we were. I remember thinking as a 10 year old this it we are going to jail. After watching MJ score 55 points my dad and I rushed to the locker room. Security was limiting how many people could get through, even press. We wound up getting in and the real Sports Illustrated for Kids didn’t. This pic is from my “interview” with Michael Jordan. #michaeljordan #scottiepippen #philjackson #billmurray #nba #lastdance #chicagobulls #basketball #scam

A post shared by Gary Vider (@garyvider) on

Usually when a professional story-teller is relaying their account of events, you may take it with a grain of salt, but Vider has the photo evidence to prove it. Beyond MJ, Vider has photos with Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and - because why not - Bill Murray too!

One of the best parts about this story is diving into the mind of a child. He knew that him and his Pops were up to no good, and even thought so far as to believing they could go to jail for it.

Overall, we do feel a little sorry for the actual Sports Illustrated kid that missed out on his opportunity with Jordan.

(H/T Gary Vider)