With the NBA returning to NBC on Tuesday night with a doubleheader, legendary player Michael Jordan offered his thoughts on today’s game and commented on why he’s willing to be interviewed these days.
During halftime of the Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder season opener for NBC’s coverage, the Bulls legend sat down with NBA on NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico.
What Did Michael Jordan Say On NBC?
During the halftime interview, which was taped before Tuesday night’s game, Tirico asked Jordan why he was interviewing at that time.
“We have an obligation to pay it forward,” MJ told Tirico in the interview on NBC. “That’s part of what this is all about.” Jordan’s segments, which will appear throughout NBC’s coverage of the NBA this season, are being called “MJ: Insights to Excellence.”
“I have an obligation to basketball,” Jordan said. “Not financially, I’m OK. I think more or less, for a basketball player to pass on messages of success and dedication to the game of basketball.”
“We have an obligation to pay it forward. That’s part of what this is all about.”
Watch Michael Jordan’s first conversation with Mike Tirico in the first edition of MJ: Insights To Excellence. pic.twitter.com/7tfzGm6SpM
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) October 22, 2025
When Tirico asked Jordan if he still loved the game, the six-time Finals MVP said, “Love it like you wouldn’t believe. In all honesty, I wish I could take a magic pill, put on shorts and go out and play the game of basketball today.”
When asked why he’s not been too active in offering his thoughts about the NBA over the past few years, Jordan simply stated that he’s spending time with his family. “That’s what I have time to do now,” Jordan said.
“I mean the most valuable asset I have now is time,” he responded to Tirico. “So that’s probably why you don’t see enough of me because of that time I’m trying to spend it with family members and missing out on things for such a long time.”
For old-school NBA fans, hearing former NBC announcer Marv Albert’s well-known “Yes!” call in the opening segment ahead of Jordan’s interview seemed fitting. Jordan ruled the NBA with his championship-caliber play for the Chicago Bulls.
MORE: ‘A Complete Waste of Halftime’ — NBA World Reacts to Michael Jordan’s NBC Broadcasting Debut
NBC’s Maria Taylor teased Jordan’s next conversation with Tirico on their NBA coverage. Jordan will offer his thoughts on load management concerning today’s NBA players. Getting Jordan to talk about the NBA is a great coup for NBC and all the NBA fans who still hold Jordan in great respect.
