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Nick Young Reveals Kobe Bryant Threw His Adidas Sneakers To Trash; Michael Jordan Didn't Want To Pay After They Worked At His Camp
Sandy Hooper-USA TODAY

In a revealing interview on 'Vlad TV,' Nick Young shared some memorable and controversial experiences with two of basketball's biggest legends: Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.

"I had some Adidas... So I wanted him to sign them on this last day, but he threw my shoes in the trash. Threw my Adidas and said I don't f**k with Adidas, I don't wear them s**ts and threw them in the trash."

"I'm like come on man, what's wrong with you dog, why you gotta do that, then he said go get some Nikes over there. He said man if you ain't got no Nikes, I ain't signing nothing for you." 

"I said all right man so I went and got these Nikes and then he wrote to my main man swag and all that on them. But I could do see that that a**hole stuff." (2:10)

Regarding Kobe Bryant, Young recounted a surprising incident involving his Adidas sneakers. During a meeting with Bryant, Young brought his Adidas shoes, hoping to get them signed. However, Bryant, known for his strong affiliation with Nike, didn't react as expected. Instead of signing them, Bryant threw Young's Adidas sneakers in the trash, expressing his disdain for the brand. 

Bryant insisted that he would only sign Nike shoes, prompting Young to switch to a pair of Nikes to get Bryant's autograph. Despite the harsh gesture, Bryant did sign the Nikes, inscribing a personalized message for Young. This incident highlighted Bryant's strict loyalty to Nike and his unapologetically blunt demeanor.

"I say Michael Jordan was the a**hole too. Michael Jordan didn't pay us and we worked at his camp. I broke a lamp and his punishment was not paying us." 

"I give y'all a picture but he said not paying y'all with a straight face. When we got the check it said it was like void, the check still came though but it said you couldn't cash it... the lamp wasn't nothing but about $20." (3:00)

In another anecdote, Young discussed his experience with Michael Jordan, which left him with mixed feelings. Young described an incident at Jordan's basketball camp, where he worked as a counselor. During the camp, Young accidentally broke a lamp, and Jordan's response was rather harsh. As a punishment, Jordan decided not to pay the counselors for their work. 

Instead, he offered them a photo, jokingly stating that it would replace their payment. When the checks finally arrived, they were marked void, rendering them uncashed. Young noted that the broken lamp was worth only about $20, making Jordan's reaction seem disproportionate and highlighting his tough, sometimes unforgiving nature.

These stories from Nick Young shed light on the contrasting personalities of two of basketball's most iconic figures. Kobe Bryant's no-nonsense attitude and unwavering brand loyalty stood out in his interaction with Young, while Michael Jordan's incident at the camp underscored his strict and sometimes harsh approach to discipline. 

Despite their legendary status and immense contributions to the sport, these anecdotes reveal their more personal, and sometimes controversial, sides.

Michael Jordan Once Brutally Destroyed A Rapper Who Asked An Autograph

Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, is known for his intense competitive spirit and sometimes abrasive personality. This was exemplified in an incident involving rapper Chamillionaire, who idolized Michael Jordan and eagerly sought an autograph and photo with him.

The encounter occurred at a party in 2009, where Chamillionaire spotted Jordan mingling with several Boston Celtics players and director Spike Lee. Seizing the moment, Chamillionaire approached Jordan to ask for a photo, fully aware that his request might be denied. However, he was unprepared for the brusque manner in which Jordan rejected him.

Stunned by the harsh response, Chamillionaire tried to salvage the situation by mentioning that he had previously paid $7,000 for one of Jordan's jerseys, hoping this would persuade the basketball legend to reconsider. Instead, Jordan's response was even more shocking: he demanded $15,000 in exchange for a photo and an autograph, effectively putting a price on his interaction with fans.

This encounter left Chamillionaire disillusioned and heartbroken. He had idolized Jordan throughout his life, and meeting his hero turned out to be a deeply disappointing experience. Jordan's dismissive attitude and exorbitant demand starkly contrasted with the rapper's expectations and admiration.

Jordan's cold response to Chamillionaire highlights the complex nature of public personas and the often-unseen personal traits of even the most celebrated figures. While Jordan's legacy on the basketball court remains unparalleled, this incident serves as a reminder that personal interactions with celebrities can sometimes be disheartening and far from the idealized image fans may hold.

Despite the awkward and disheartening experience, Chamillionaire's admiration for Jordan's athletic achievements likely persisted, albeit with a more nuanced understanding of the man behind the legend. This story underscores the adage that meeting one's heroes can sometimes lead to unexpected and disappointing realities, revealing the human flaws of even the greatest icons.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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