Michael Jordan confident he is better than his Hornets

NBA OWNER Michael Jordan thinks he is still good enough to compete with the pros, despite being in his 50’s.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 12: In this handout image provided by Jordan Brand, Michael Jordan paid a visit to Palais 23 this afternoon on Friday June 12, Joined by his frequent partners-in-design Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, key figures in the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan, Jordan has returned to Paris to mark the 30th anniversary of 1985's Air Jordan One. Palais 23 is a spectacular tribute to the shoes, moments, designs and artifacts that have shaped the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan. (Photo by Jordan Brand via Getty Images)

IT’S FAIR to say that even if you don’t follow basketball, you more than likely know who Michael Jordan is.

The NBA Hall of Famer became a household name not long after starting his professional career in 1984.

Having played in 14 All-Star games, won six NBA titles and as many MVP awards, Jordan is among an elite group of the best players to ever set foot on the court.

Now in his 50s, MJ still thinks he has got what it takes to cut it with the pros.

In an interview with French sports outlet L’Equipe, Jordan claimed he could beat any of the players on the Charlotte Hornets roster, the team he has owned since 2010, in a game of one-on-one.

“I’m pretty sure I can, so I don’t want to do that and demolish their confidence, so I stay away from them. I let them think that they are good,” he said.

Hornets small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist admitted to being beaten by Jordan in a game of one-on-one during his rookie season in 2012. Not bad considering MJ was almost 50 at the time.

Jordan is now hopefull of one day claiming his first NBA title as an owner, which would bring him to a total of seven across his career. He said the seventh title would be his most challenging yet.

When asked which was more difficult in directing a team to the title, being the owner or leading on the court, Jordan had one definitive answer.

“Being an owner of a team,” he said.

“You know, when I play I can control things. When I’m an owner, I can’t control it from the basketball court.”

This week marks exactly 18 years since Jordan played in the notorious Flu Game, Game 5 of the 1997 finals series where the shooting guard overcame a strong case of food poisoning to take the Chicago Bulls to a 3-2 series lead.

It is also the anniversary week of Jordan’s famous ‘last shot’, which he sunk to win Chicago’s sixth NBA title.

L'entretien exclusif avec Michael Jordan en vidéo http://t.co/gnp4WpVcTh pic.twitter.com/75ir2pgeyt

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 14, 2015