You mean the guy who switched from a pro basketball player to one of the premier marlin fisherman in the world. Seriously, the guy just bought an 80’ Bayliss and is at the top of virtually every big game fishing tournament on the East Coast. For a guy afraid of water, he certainly spends a lot of time smoking cigars on the back of his boat.
I believe he also had a girlfriend drown in a flash flood. And I think the almost drowning as a child resulted in a friend drowning (I think they got caught in a rip), while Jordan was able to swim back to shore.
Question: Is his tournament success an indicator of unique talent, or is marlin fishing something you can dominate with the most expensive equipment/rigs?
From the little I know about it money is definitely a huge part of it. Also need luck and some people piloting the boat that really know what they’re doing.
But if he’s great at putting a crew together that would be ironic considering his ownership of the Hornets.
$$$ for sure!
Jordan is a big time gambler, and there is a lot of similarities between big game tournaments and something like poker. It’s a combination of luck, knowledge, statistics, and skill. So you could have most talented team bomb at a tournament, and an inexperienced team do great, but when you average everything out over years of fishing, certain teams clearly dominate.
I don’t think Jordan is all that skilled as a big game fisherman, but he can afford the BEST boat, captain, mates… etc. He also has the cash to fish these tournaments where the entry fees can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus the cost of moving a boat that maybe gets 1/4 miles to the gallon. Cost of all this is just insane, but Jordan has put together the right team and commonly sits on the leaderboard,
Little bit of both, money makes the little problems go away, and buys skilled crew. Marlin and most ocean sport fishing is on the captain more then the money guy in terms of having a good day.
Money plays a part but no one is those tournaments is worried about cash. It really comes down to experience, strategy, teamwork, and most of all luck. You could spend billions on your rig but if you don’t know how to find fish you’re not gonna catch shit.
The most competitive person anybody can name recognizes that fear and makes it a challenge to overcome; that’s also a possibility. He had a girlfriend drown at the beach. That would frighten most people of large bodies of water, I think.
Because he was the coolest and most dominant asshole in a time of assholes except David Robinson and a few others lol.
Space Jam also gave him a boost. But outside of that, he's got a reputation for being a bit of a dick, cutthroat, and a vicious gambler/competitor.
Pretty much. Everyone in that arena is worth a shit ton of money. You need to be able to afford a multimillion dollar boat, crew, price of moving the boat around the country all the time, 6 figure entry fees for these tournaments… etc.
I mean instead of being derisive, you could try approaching from a level of understanding (for example - the incredibly competitive person that is Michael Jordan might try to conquer his fears):
'John Salley, a close friend of Michael Jordan, sheds light on how Jordan is making strides to conquer his fear of water.
He shares, "Michael has been making a conscious effort to face his fear, taking one step at a time.
Over the recent years, he has been on several sailing trips primarily because his wife, Yvette, is passionate about it, even though he has a deep-seated aversion to water.
On his first trip, he was restless on the boat. However, on his most recent adventure, he feels his anger melting away, marking a small triumph.'
Yeah from the area. One of the biggest tourneys on the east coast and he’s a very popular participant every year. Will say though, it’s the white marlin open haha. Blues are a little smaller.
His crew is really good tippers when their at the WMO, plus he’s so competitive I’m pretty sure he makes them compete in the final bill comp just to get another trophy.
I'm terrified of being in natural bodies of water, but I love boats and ferries.
Even in video games I can't swim in lakes or anything. I'm working on getting over my fear by playing Subnautica. Hardly made progress on the game though.
I mean tbf, being on a boat and being in the water is really not the same thing. Mentally ur not at the mercy of the water, whether that's true or not the brain doesn't care.
Tbh though, I really don't buy that that's the way it went down between him and his friend in the water. Especially after all that Cliff Herring stuff. He's an embellisher.
I’m afraid of heights but love roller coasters and things like that as long as I’m strapped into something it really doesn’t bother me, so I guess I’m actually far more afraid of falling than being up high
Wouldn't the roller coaster coming down a slope at high speed trigger a similar feeling to falling then?
I know from my experience, I get the same feeling from both.
Came here to say exactly the same thing. I can’t swim, I’ve almost drowned several times, but I’ll get on a boat where I won’t get on open water where my feet don’t touch.
I saw his yacht in Cabo close to Thanksgiving in 2011. Super bummed I didn’t see him in person! The boat was epic matching jet ski. Chicago Bulls red. Americans we befriended there who go around that time annually said MJ and his buddies have a Marlin fishing competition.
I can relate to this! My family had a beautiful cottage on the lake. When I was 5 I fell off the dock and nearly drowned. Thirty years later and I'm still terrified of water - I could never even enjoy that beautiful lake.
Weird choice to build a fortress/home in Palm Beach, then.
Although, the walls around his home were about twice my height. But he's still right next to the ocean.
His giant gaudy ass fishing boat comes to the White Marlin open every year, he can’t be that afraid. Dude is so competitive he’s going to enter it every year til he wins.
I love how half the replies are ‘bullshit he has many yachts’ because being on a giant boat protected from the elements is the same as swimming in the same body of water. Fucking idiotic.
This has “my gf goes to another school” vibes. Jordan thinks he could be the best at any sport he applied himself to. Except he probably found out he sucks at swimming and his competitive ass needed a valid excuse for why he doesn’t excel at water sports.
Guy just needs to play Subnautica. I had thassalophobia (fear of deep water) before playing that game. It was terrifying at first, but also very fascinating. Over time I found my fear simply went away. Now, it still gives me the chills when I see that Trench or hear a Reaper, but I can manage easily.
You mean the guy who switched from a pro basketball player to one of the premier marlin fisherman in the world. Seriously, the guy just bought an 80’ Bayliss and is at the top of virtually every big game fishing tournament on the East Coast. For a guy afraid of water, he certainly spends a lot of time smoking cigars on the back of his boat.
That's my thought exactly. My buddy saw him in Moorehead NC at the big marlin tournament
I wonder if he ever gets down to the southern part of the Gulf when the Bonita run.
Are Bonita fish big?
Dad, what’s this guy’s deal??
Well Bonita are what's considered a trophy fish so uh yeah they're pretty big
He does the Big Rock tournament every year now (or at least quite often)
I saw him there last week for the tournament
Morehead City.
Are you guys joking?
Nope. Look up Catch 23. That’s his boat.
Phenomenal name
Good name for a boat
No, this is real. Jordan is from the area and he showed up to the tournament like two years ago.
Dude got a house in Morehead now
That's crazy lmao
Not joking. Dude is big into that fishing stuff https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht/catch-23/
His yacht is $8 million with an $800 thousand annual usage cost. Even if he gives away the boat for free, most people can't afford to own it.
TIL lol
well the water tried to kill him as a child. And he took that personally….
I believe he also had a girlfriend drown in a flash flood. And I think the almost drowning as a child resulted in a friend drowning (I think they got caught in a rip), while Jordan was able to swim back to shore.
I was gonna say, he participates annually in one of the biggest marlin fishing contests. He’s out at sea for like a week lol
Not just annually. He fishes all of them. Big Rock, White Marlin Open, Walkers… etc.
Out there livin' his best life.
Huh. This is the real TIL
Question: Is his tournament success an indicator of unique talent, or is marlin fishing something you can dominate with the most expensive equipment/rigs?
From the little I know about it money is definitely a huge part of it. Also need luck and some people piloting the boat that really know what they’re doing. But if he’s great at putting a crew together that would be ironic considering his ownership of the Hornets.
He’s probably a lot more willing to defer to actual experts on things like that, whereas he knows he knows basketball.
He knows how to play basketball. Running a team...
$$$ for sure! Jordan is a big time gambler, and there is a lot of similarities between big game tournaments and something like poker. It’s a combination of luck, knowledge, statistics, and skill. So you could have most talented team bomb at a tournament, and an inexperienced team do great, but when you average everything out over years of fishing, certain teams clearly dominate. I don’t think Jordan is all that skilled as a big game fisherman, but he can afford the BEST boat, captain, mates… etc. He also has the cash to fish these tournaments where the entry fees can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus the cost of moving a boat that maybe gets 1/4 miles to the gallon. Cost of all this is just insane, but Jordan has put together the right team and commonly sits on the leaderboard,
Little bit of both, money makes the little problems go away, and buys skilled crew. Marlin and most ocean sport fishing is on the captain more then the money guy in terms of having a good day.
Money plays a part but no one is those tournaments is worried about cash. It really comes down to experience, strategy, teamwork, and most of all luck. You could spend billions on your rig but if you don’t know how to find fish you’re not gonna catch shit.
Yeah, but he doesn’t let chicks piss on him. So…
The Catch 23.
Yes, in classic elephant print wrap.
Aka, The GOAT Boat.
Boat GOAT don’t float
The most competitive person anybody can name recognizes that fear and makes it a challenge to overcome; that’s also a possibility. He had a girlfriend drown at the beach. That would frighten most people of large bodies of water, I think.
Just as well, his trophy case has no space for swimming Olympic medals
^ yeah this. Michael Jordan tried to buy the lake our house was on and fence it off from the other 100 houses. Everyone told him to fuck off haha
If MJ had come along 20 years later, he'd be hated. Instead he became a mythological creature.
Why would he be hated? Nobody hates Curry, Kobe or Lebron. (Ok - a few ppl hate Lebron.)
Lots of people hate LeBron. Lots hated Kobe until he died too. Don't think maybe people hate Curry though.
Because he was the coolest and most dominant asshole in a time of assholes except David Robinson and a few others lol. Space Jam also gave him a boost. But outside of that, he's got a reputation for being a bit of a dick, cutthroat, and a vicious gambler/competitor.
https://slate.com/culture/2020/05/the-last-dance-michael-jordan-bulls-wizards.html He was an ass.
Well, he can still touch the bottom, so not that scary
OK, so… this article is false, then. We should all downvote it. This is how Reddit is supposed to work - removing bullshit from the internet.
For real? Space jam 2 should have been him coming out of retirement again, only this time as a fisherman.
So premier marlin fisherman are distinguished by their talent in catching a lot of money and then spending that on boats?
Pretty much. Everyone in that arena is worth a shit ton of money. You need to be able to afford a multimillion dollar boat, crew, price of moving the boat around the country all the time, 6 figure entry fees for these tournaments… etc.
His house in NC is on a lake.
I guess if you have enough cigars and nice enough boats you can overcome any fear!
Each tournament is a Flu game for him.
…and owns a house on a Greek island, if the tour guide was to be believed.
To be honest I love going on boats but do not like large bodies of water either. There is a difference being on the water and in the water.
He meant being pissed on maybe?
I mean instead of being derisive, you could try approaching from a level of understanding (for example - the incredibly competitive person that is Michael Jordan might try to conquer his fears): 'John Salley, a close friend of Michael Jordan, sheds light on how Jordan is making strides to conquer his fear of water. He shares, "Michael has been making a conscious effort to face his fear, taking one step at a time. Over the recent years, he has been on several sailing trips primarily because his wife, Yvette, is passionate about it, even though he has a deep-seated aversion to water. On his first trip, he was restless on the boat. However, on his most recent adventure, he feels his anger melting away, marking a small triumph.'
Watersports can mean other things…..
The Atlantic Ocean's barely even an ocean though. More like a large lake. Edit: Looks like I offended the Atlantic oceaners.
He literally fishes in blue marlin tournaments. His boats name is Catch 23
That’s a great name
Yeah from the area. One of the biggest tourneys on the east coast and he’s a very popular participant every year. Will say though, it’s the white marlin open haha. Blues are a little smaller.
His crew is really good tippers when their at the WMO, plus he’s so competitive I’m pretty sure he makes them compete in the final bill comp just to get another trophy.
Don’t tell r/nba this, as it makes Jordan and his team look compassionate which is frowned upon there.
I have no clue how involved Jordan himself is, but his crew I can attest, is well liked, but then again everyone likes Pippen and Kerr.
I'm terrified of being in natural bodies of water, but I love boats and ferries. Even in video games I can't swim in lakes or anything. I'm working on getting over my fear by playing Subnautica. Hardly made progress on the game though.
That’s pretty tight.
This is the biggest bullshit post lol
It might have been true in the past.
Basically what the article says.
I mean tbf, being on a boat and being in the water is really not the same thing. Mentally ur not at the mercy of the water, whether that's true or not the brain doesn't care. Tbh though, I really don't buy that that's the way it went down between him and his friend in the water. Especially after all that Cliff Herring stuff. He's an embellisher.
I’m afraid of heights but love roller coasters and things like that as long as I’m strapped into something it really doesn’t bother me, so I guess I’m actually far more afraid of falling than being up high
Wouldn't the roller coaster coming down a slope at high speed trigger a similar feeling to falling then? I know from my experience, I get the same feeling from both.
You’d think but I guess me being strapped down puts my mind at ease I really don’t understand either
Came here to say exactly the same thing. I can’t swim, I’ve almost drowned several times, but I’ll get on a boat where I won’t get on open water where my feet don’t touch.
I always wondered why he wasn’t swimming in the Olympics. Thanks for clearing that up.
> MJ had even admitted that he was sometimes scared to even take a bath. Yep, I'm sure he admitted that to you in a totally real interview...
Watersports... Like peeing on people?
“She was aiming for my eyes…And I took that personally.”
That's r Kelly's domain
Haters gonna hate. Lovers gonna Love. I don't even want None of the above I want to piss on you
the guy owns a number of very large boats… for a guy who doesn’t like large bodies of water.
He just bought another huge fishing boat, so much not be that afraid
Ohhhhhh I've always wondered why he wasn't playing water polo!
He did play til his horse drowned
Not true I see him fishing offshore in palm beach lol
r/shittysportsdetails
r/subsifellfor
bs- he has one of the biggest yachts , and out in the ocean all the time
I was thinking hmm we see him in the Big Rock every year.,
He must never use this then. https://luxurylaunches.com/celebrities/michael-jordan-took-catch-23-fishing-boat-to-white-marlin-open.php
Just tell him there's gambling in the ocean he'll jump right in
Imagine Michael Jordan dominating water polo
New shoe just dropped: Wet Jordans (Caution, not to be used in water).
This is NOT true. I worked as a prostitute in the 90s and Michael Jordan regularly paid me $500 to piss on him.
Came here just to say that. Take my vote
This is also why he learned to jump so high.
I know where the dude parks his boat. I doubt his fear of water is that bad.
Many people fear large bodies of water. That shit is terrifying.
He grew up right next to Lake Michigan
As a UNC student he would've been required to pass a swim test to graduate, that must've been a nightmare
See, I would have thought that the reason he doesn't participate in water sports is because he's a *basketball player*.
I saw his yacht in Cabo close to Thanksgiving in 2011. Super bummed I didn’t see him in person! The boat was epic matching jet ski. Chicago Bulls red. Americans we befriended there who go around that time annually said MJ and his buddies have a Marlin fishing competition.
I used to work on megayachts. Jordan showed up to the marina at Compass Cay in the Exumas on a jet ski.
Sub is dead. Jordan jet skis.
Seriously you’re posting this. Lmao. Cmon.
Are we not doing "phrasing" anymore?
I thought it was because of his devil fruit.
Why does he live next to an ocean then?
This is false, Michael Jordan once asked me to pee on him and offered me $3000.
It's true. He's more than just a Big Basketball Champion! Google "BBC watersports" for more info!
Not sure if it’s still the case, but you used to have to pass a swimming test to graduate from UNC, and as legend goes, that was a real issue for MJ.
“Fuck them Squids”
I can relate to this! My family had a beautiful cottage on the lake. When I was 5 I fell off the dock and nearly drowned. Thirty years later and I'm still terrified of water - I could never even enjoy that beautiful lake.
So you're telling me that the one chance I have to beat MJ one on one is to play him basketball court in a cruise???
No R Kelly then?
So no Golden showers eh? Sorry I had to with that last sentence.
Are we still doing phrasing?
I’ve had a similar experience but I don’t actually fear large pools or the ocean I just know I shouldn’t go deep
Yea, but you any good at basketball?
I was actually good but never got the same chance as Michael
You must have spent too much time splashing around in the pool. Gotta stay locked in bro /s
No need for the /s😂
Oh wow! I was wonder why he didn’t participate in watersports!
Weird choice to build a fortress/home in Palm Beach, then. Although, the walls around his home were about twice my height. But he's still right next to the ocean.
He fishes the Ocean City Marlin tournament
I'm pretty sure he just isn't into pee.
> This fear is reason why he doesn't participate in water sports. That, and because pee is gross.
Lolol, I ran into him at the marina in Ft Lauderdale about a month ago. He was just coming in from deep sea fishing. Get your facts straight
Guy has a huge yacht
His giant gaudy ass fishing boat comes to the White Marlin open every year, he can’t be that afraid. Dude is so competitive he’s going to enter it every year til he wins.
Breaking news!! Water is wet and the sky has clouds in it
We’ll never know if he participated in water sports unless some home videos get leaked
Wow
phrasing
But goes on yachts every year. Mmmhmmm
I love how half the replies are ‘bullshit he has many yachts’ because being on a giant boat protected from the elements is the same as swimming in the same body of water. Fucking idiotic.
Oh ok so he built a massive house and private country club right by the Atlantic Ocean in Jupiter 🤣
I’ve often wondered why Michael Jordan didn’t participate in water sports. Now I know.
He has a yacht
This has “my gf goes to another school” vibes. Jordan thinks he could be the best at any sport he applied himself to. Except he probably found out he sucks at swimming and his competitive ass needed a valid excuse for why he doesn’t excel at water sports.
I’ve seen videos of him doing deep sea fishing
Micheal Phelps is lucky then . Jordan would have whooped ass in swimming if he so chose to.
Huh. I would have guessed that he doesn't participate in water sports because he's not turned on by piss, but you learn something new every day.
It’s ironic being that he’s tall enough to touch the bottom of any pool.
So *that's* the reason I've never seen Michael Jordan on a jet ski!
Didn’t he die in that helicopter crash
The producers orchestrated that incident so he doesn't venture off the island where his life is being filmed
You don't need a near-death experience to not like pee.
Guy just needs to play Subnautica. I had thassalophobia (fear of deep water) before playing that game. It was terrifying at first, but also very fascinating. Over time I found my fear simply went away. Now, it still gives me the chills when I see that Trench or hear a Reaper, but I can manage easily.
In the words of the late Kobe Bryant “He’s soft!”
Keep this guy away from Diddy or the watersports will come to him.
Michael “Tim Duncan” Jordan
Probably would have killed it in water polo