Few people can say they’ve lived next door to the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan. Damon Wayans, famed actor and comedian, is one of those lucky few. Recently, Wayans appeared on Club Shay Shay alongside Shannon Sharpe, where he shared amusing and insightful stories about living next to His Airness, including a playful jab at MJ’s son, Marcus Jordan, who recently found himself in hot water due to a drug-related incident.
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The Marcus Jordan Incident
In February, Marcus Jordan, 34, was arrested and charged with cocaine possession in central Florida. While the charge was only a second-degree misdemeanor, Marcus also faced an additional misdemeanor for resisting arrest. The arrest made headlines and was a setback for the former University of Central Florida player.
During their conversation, Sharpe segued into the topic of parenting by bringing up Marcus’s troubles, only to give Wayans an opportunity to crack a joke.
“I gave him the drugs,” Wayans quipped, sparking laughter in the room. While Sharpe tried to reframe the question by asking how Wayans would have handled the situation with his own children, Wayans continued with his humorous take: “Here’s what’s funny about my family: we’re comedians, so you don’t want to write us some new material.”
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Wayans on Parenting and Generational Differences
Wayans did get serious for a moment, reflecting on the generational differences in parenting. He shared his belief that his kids’ generation lacks the same raw drive and intensity he had growing up. “I had that because I missed meals. My kids never missed meals,” he said, hinting at the hunger and struggle that fueled his success.
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A Close Relationship with Michael Jordan
Despite his light-hearted comments about Marcus, Wayans made sure to clarify that his relationship with Michael Jordan was built on love and respect. He spoke fondly of their bond, recalling how he grew close to Jordan while living next door to him. “We have a relationship that is based in love and respect. He taught me a lot of things about life,” Wayans said, underscoring the meaningful connection he has with the NBA legend.
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Life Next to MJ: Damon Wayans’ Memories
Wayans and his son, Damon Jr., also shared memories of their time living next to Michael Jordanduring a 1996 interview with People Magazine. Damon Sr. emphasized the importance of respecting Jordan’s privacy, especially since the basketball star was living in the neighborhood temporarily while filming Space Jam. “One thing I really put my foot down for was don’t bother him,” Wayans recalled, adding that he only visited Jordan once, and that was at Jordan’s invitation.
Meanwhile, Damon Jr. had a different take, joking about how Jordan frequently visited their house to snack on their food. “Michael Jordan used to come over and eat all my snacks. That’s how good our snacks were. He came over too much,” he joked. “Shout-out to Jordan, though.”
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New Sitcom and Legacy
The Wayans family is now starring in the new CBS sitcom Poppa’s House. One can’t help but wonder if Michael Jordan ever watches the show and reminisces, “Didn’t I used to live next to those guys?”
