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Ball Don't Lie

Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:55 pm EDT

Vintage video: Michael Jordan vs. Kenny Rogers

By J.E. Skeets

You know, there was once a time on Ball Don't Lie when it was basically impossible to slip a vintage Michael Jordan video past our radars. We've previously posted YouTube clips of MJ stealing kids' bikes; MJ dunking a head of lettuce; MJ losing a game of one-on-one to some mutual fund CEO; and many more. But a funny thing happened last month — we missed one. A really, really good one.

Via YouTube connoisseur "rairjordan" comes this epic footage of a young Michael playing ball against Larry Bird, Dominique Wilkins and Kenny Rogers — yes, that Kenny Rogers! — during the country-singer-cum-chicken-magnate's "Classic Weekend" in 1988. And as if that description wasn't enough, consider that legendary Lakers' play-by-play man Chick Hearn calls the heated three-on-three action. Slam dunk!

Excuse the hyperbole, but "Kenny Rogers puts Jordan in the popcorn machine and hits a 21-footer" is the greatest quote of all time. The crack after Bird's "rafter three" was good, too. Chick Hearn was the best.

Thanks to You Been Blinded, The Hoop Doctors and Court Surfing for previously posting this YouTube gold, and to BDL reader mickeyjimmy for the heads up via Twitter. 

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46 Comments

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  1. emperor.pauloh
    1. Posted by emperor.pauloh Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:28 pm EDT

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    this video is so great. hope to see more about rare videos
  2. emperor.pauloh
    2. Posted by emperor.pauloh Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:29 pm EDT

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    i am emperor pauloh
  3. emperor.pauloh
    3. Posted by emperor.pauloh Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:32 pm EDT

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    hey MJ, hope to meet u in person. im from philippines. 6 year old baller. u are the greatest. one of my inspiration
  4. Boom
    4. Posted by Boom Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:52 pm EDT

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    Mike is a trash bag. Naw he's the GOAT! I have Space Jam on Blu Ray........
  5. Moe A.K.A NAbsven
    5. Posted by Moe A.K.A NAbsven Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    Is that John McEnroe, the former tennis player, on Larry Bird's team?
  6. JR
    6. Posted by JR Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    I forgot how creative Jordan was around the basket. He made some insane lay-ups there. Made Dominic look like an old man.
    Kenny can hoop too.
  7. JR
    7. Posted by JR Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    I forgot how creative Jordan was around the basket. He made some insane lay-ups there. Made Dominic look like an old man.
    Kenny can hoop too.
  8. JR
    8. Posted by JR Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    I forgot how creative Jordan was around the basket. He made some insane lay-ups there. Made Dominic look like an old man.
    Kenny can hoop too.
  9. Jon Mac
    9. Posted by Jon Mac Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    michael is G.O.A.T but in real person he looks like hes not that great of a guy when it comes to fans.
    GO BULLS!
    lmfao at larry birds shot lol
  10. KneeJerkNBA
    10. Posted by KneeJerkNBA Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:55 pm EDT

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    Maybe Patrick McEnroe. Lorenzo Lamas is out there.
    Kenny Rogers traveled on that J. Call that $h*t.
  11. Anton
    11. Posted by Anton Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

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    Kenny Rogers and hooping - in the same sentence, even. Who would've thought!
  12. Mike/Makol
    12. Posted by Mike/Makol Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    Chuck Hearn is indeed one of the best that there ever was. you dont get that kind of play-by-play commentating anymore.
  13. Mike/Makol
    13. Posted by Mike/Makol Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    Chuck Hearn is indeed one of the best that there ever was. you dont get that kind of play-by-play commentating anymore.
  14. planters
    14. Posted by planters Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    i played h.s. ball when this video was made and i can't believe we wore shorts like this.
  15. John T
    15. Posted by John T Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:44 pm EDT

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    jordan got sonned by kenny rogers
  16. paleballer
    16. Posted by paleballer Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:55 pm EDT

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    seriously greatest quote of all time....
    John McEnroe....got game
    awesome find....jordan's D....thats why he is the best.
  17. bbmichal
    17. Posted by bbmichal Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:11 am EDT

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    who was that white guy #34 on Jordan's team?
  18. burdz
    18. Posted by burdz Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:51 am EDT

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    he was ur daddy!... now u call him "mom".
  19. bandogypsys
    19. Posted by bandogypsys Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:55 am EDT

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    did you e-mail bill simmons to thank him for supplying you with blog material this afternoon?
  20. Solefans.com
    20. Posted by Solefans.com Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:33 am EDT

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    Unbelievable!
  21. laker fan 1989
    21. Posted by laker fan 1989 Sat Aug 29, 2009 5:56 am EDT

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    Personally I think Chick Hearn puts ALL ANNOUNCERS to shame when it comes to being the best at what he does. He can speak so fast, full of information and creative words such as "pop corn machine" and his "refrigerator." so Orginal dam i truly miss him. I dont think anyone will ever be as great so Chicky Baby, Dam i miss you chicky baby!!!!!! GREATEST LAKER OF ALL TIME
    CHICK HEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  22. vondior
    22. Posted by vondior Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:06 am EDT

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    Classic stuff
  23. Finest
    23. Posted by Finest Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:40 am EDT

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    Jordan in his prime would be any player today to shame.
  24. Finest
    24. Posted by Finest Sat Aug 29, 2009 9:40 am EDT

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    Jordan in his prime would be any player today to shame.
  25. Sarah J
    25. Posted by Sarah J Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:38 am EDT

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    Kenny Rogers has some skills.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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