Private Request to Michael Jordan in Bulls Locker Room Took Unexpected Turn Despite Strict Rules

They say never meet your heroes—Michael Jordan proved them wrong. The Chicago Bulls legend has, without a doubt, been a role model for a generation of players. But how was he when it came to meeting these admirers in person, often against His Airness on the NBA hardwood? Most accounts describe awe and deference when players meet the six-time champion. No wonder the first time a former Miami Heat star met MJ, he was overwhelmed. Three seasons in, he summoned the courage to ask Jordan for one simple favor.

The former NBA star in discussion? Ray Allen. While the 2x NBA champion is fondly remembered for his time with the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, it was with the Milwaukee Bucks that he started his NBA journey. And just 3 years into the league, Ray-Ray found himself in a situation where he would have to walk up to Michael Jordan and ask for a favor that Allen would use against His Airness himself.

Back when Allen was with the Milwaukee Bucks in his third NBA season, a casual pregame routine turned into a defining moment. “One time when I was playing in Milwaukee, I was always early, and the bus wasn’t there yet. So I took the cab over, and I’m sitting in the locker room,” the 2x NBA champ said as he reflected on the memory.

Waiting for his team’s equipment manager to bring out his gear, Allen realized there was an unexpected delay. That’s when the Bulls’ equipment guy mentioned that Jordan was already suited up. The Bucks’ equipment manager suggested, ‘Why not just ask MJ for a spare pair?‘ Allen, despite being for quite sometime in the league, hesitated. “I’m probably like, three years in the league… I was like, ‘Can you ask for him?’ He [Bulls equipment manager] goes, ‘No, you gotta go ask.’ And so I went in there and I was like, ‘Mike, you think I could borrow a pair of shoes?’ And I’m already wearing the shoes anyway. I’m under contract. And he’s like, ‘Sure, kid,'” he recalled.

Hesitating to ask a favor while being three years into the league, one can only imagine what Allen would’ve felt facing Michael Jordan for the first time. The 2x NBA champ opened up about the experience during further conversation on the Dan Patrick Show. Allen recalled his first-ever preseason games being against the Minnesota Timberwolves, while his second matchup was none other than the  Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls.

“I’m stretching, and then I hear the whole introduction. And, you know, I’m used to being on the other side, looking at the tv, watching all this stuff happen. And now I’m like, wow, this is so crazy. I’m inside the TV right now,” Allen shared. As the Bulls made their entrance one by one, MJ saved his for last. Then, during the jump ball, Jordan turned to him and said, “Welcome to the NBA, Ray.” It wasn’t just a welcome—it was recognition of sorts.

What stood out to Ray-Ray even more was MJ’s attention to detail. “To be great, you also have to be intelligent… You can’t walk around and be oblivious to the things around you. So he knows everybody who’s playing against you, study your opponents, you watch the draft, you know who’s young and coming to the league,” he noted. So was Allen hesitant for nothing in his third season approaching His Airness for the sneakers? Well, not exactly. MJ imposed strict rules on who could wear his signature shoes.

Michael Jordan’s one demand from stars rocking his sneakers