When most people think of going on a cruise, they think of relaxing on the deck. But for the Norwegian Cruise Line in the 1980s, you could play NBA players in basketball, including Michael Jordan.
The Norwegian Cruise Line flagship SS Norway was the ship Jordan was on and there’s not much information on why he was present on the cruise. In the photo is a sign that reads “Norway sports program – A Cruise Staff Fit with Fun Program”.
So, it appears to be a fun workout/sports program for the guests, but why is Jordan present? It could have been a promotional event by the NBA and the cruise line, or even Nike, as Jordan is wearing a full-blue Nike outfit.
There was some debate about if it really was Jordan in the photo. This rumor was put to rest when promotional photos of Jordan wearing the same blue Nike outfit were discovered and shared on social media.
In the '80s you could contact your travel agent and buy a NCL Super Sport Basketball Cruise package, where you could hoop with Michael Jordan and other NBA players.
MJ's Air Jordan 'Royal' fit tho 🔥 pic.twitter.com/agf6DxVDE1
— Hoops Nostalgia (@HoopsNostalgia) May 21, 2024
This may have even been a charity event, something Jordan was part of a lot during the 80s, namely the “A Midsummer Night’s Magic” charity basketball games. It is unclear which other NBA players may have taken part in the event on the cruise, but having Jordan there must have been an incredible experience.
Michael Jordan Scored 54 Points In Magic Johnson’s 1988 Charity Game
Jordan was no stranger to putting on a show for a crowd, especially when it was a charity event. Who can forget about Jordan’s 52 points in the 1994 Scottie Pippen All-Star Classic?
Before Pippen’s charity game, Jordan played in a few of Magic Johnson’s charity games titled “A Midsummer Night’s Magic”. Jordan always put on a show, but his 1988 game performance was his best.
Magic’s event included a basketball game with celebrities and other NBA stars, and after the game, a black-tie dinner was held. All proceeds from the event were donated to the United Negro College Fund.
By the time the summer of 1988 came around, Michael Jordan was ready to show the world why he was the greatest scorer on the planet.
The two teams, which were the Blue Team and the White Team, were ready to put on a show for the fans. This meant a lot of offense and little to no defense.
Jordan, playing for Team Blue with the event host, Magic Johnson, delivered an outstanding performance. He scored a game-high of 54 points, shooting 24-43 from the field and making 2-5 three-pointers. In addition to his scoring, Jordan also contributed 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks.
Jordan put on a show with incredible dunks, and he even debuted his famous eyes-closed free throw, as well. But Jordan wasn’t the only one having a good game for Team Blue.
Magic scored 19 points while adding 16 rebounds and 15 assists. The Blue Team also saw Kiki VanDeWeghe add 25 points, while Reggie Miller and Cliff Levingston added 22 points each.
Team White was led by Dominique Wilkins, who scored 46 points, while Mark Aguirre added 37, Ron Harper poured in 33 points, and Clyde Drexler scored 29. The game was high-scoring, and it also went down to the wire.
The score was 199-198 in favor of Team White, and with 10 seconds remaining, Jordan found VanDeWeghe underneath the basket for a layup.
200-199, Team Blue.
Team White answered with Wilkins finishing a tough shot in the paint, surrounded by blue jerseys with five seconds remaining in the game.
200-201, Team White.
The following possession saw Jordan attack the basket and get fouled with 2 seconds remaining in the game. Jordan would calmly sink both free throws.
202-201, Team Blue.
It looked like Jordan was going to be the hero on this night, but Clyde Drexler had other ideas. Drexler caught the ball and quickly took a fall-away, 18-foot turnaround jumper that swished through the net as the buzzer sounded.
Final: 202-203, Team White.
The game was over, and all in attendance had a lot of fun and were happy to see such an incredible performance by some of the NBA’s greatest players. Altogether, with the dinner included, the charity event brought in more than $650,000, which was donated to the United Negro College Fund.
It seemed like everyone was a winner on this night. But you know one thing was true… Michael Jordan doesn’t like to lose at anything.
Maybe this is why when Jordan’s Chicago Bulls met up with Clyde Drexler’s Portland Trail Blazers in the 1992 NBA Finals, Jordan took it to him. Jordan never forgets a defeat, whether it’s a charity game or the NBA Finals. This is part of the reason why he’s the greatest.
