Michael Jordan Told Richard Hamilton He Wasn't Good Enough to Wear His Shoes

Many of this generation's hoopsters grew up idolizing Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time. But as Richard "Rip" Hamilton learned, there's a difference between watching the legend play from afar and being on the court with him.

When Jordan was on the court, he was always locked in as a competitor...even if you were his teammate.

On a recent airing of ESPN's The Jump, Hamilton shared a hilarious story from back when he and Jordan were teammates on the Washington Wizards in 2001-02. Rip tried to smooth-talk his way into becoming a part of the Jordan Brand family, but MJ coolly informed him that status had to be earned.

Hamilton ultimately went on to have a successful career, making three All-Star teams and winning a championship with the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons. Of course, Jordan—a 14-time All-Star, six-time champion, six-time Finals MVP and five-time regular-season MVP—still may not be impressed.

This story is just the latest in a long line of legendary smack-talk moments from His Airness.

[The Jump]