pic.twitter.com/PzwJtAIBgN, MORE: The Air Jordan 1 and why the NBA didn't want it on the court. This summer he sat down at The Bears Club in Jupiter, Florida, with Cigar Aficionado editor and publisher Marvin R. Shanken for a second interview with the magazine (the first was in 2005) about his new life as a businessman, his thoughts about the state of sports, his longtime love of cigars and golf and much more. So I pick it up and I say, "Michael, I can't believe you're calling me!" He took pro basketball on his broad shoulders in the 1990s, winning six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998 with the Chicago Bulls while executing gravity defying dunks that are the stuff of legend. ", So we're facing each other, and the carts are going opposite directions, and I said, "It's time!" That helped me put things in perspective. In an interview with Cigar Aficionado, Jordan spoke about his close friendship with Woods and how social media has changed how athletes . W The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan sit down for a full hour interview to talk about basketball, his business life, his love of cigars, and more. He has stated many times that he smokes, Differences Between Straight, Punch and V-Cuts, What Cigars Does Arnold Schwarzenegger Smoke. Michael Jordan is a cigar aficionado, no doubt about it, and if you want to smoke like the king, then there should be some Cubans in your humidor. I wanted that feeling of success and relaxation. My restaurants allow me to do that. I grew up emulating his footsteps. So when you sit there and you say I was voted the most popular athlete, its ironic that Im the youngest of the three. As for Rory McIlroy, MJ has met him but never played with him, and he shares the same sentiments most average golfers have when watching the Northern Irishman. Shanken: Who is going to design the course?Jordan: Bobby Weed. To learn more about Jordans history with the magazine, and his hellacious six-smokes-a-day habit, I called Shanken up at his home in Florida. To be successful you have to have something thats not successful. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. At that time. I want to go with no restraints. I think about him practically every day. Jordan: It was an opportunity presented to me early on, from a friend of mine in Wilmington, North Carolina. Also the audiences who watch basketball are decliningI think it peaked when you were playing. 3, and No. Whether on the golf course, fishing, sitting in a locker room, or playing cards, the GOAT usually has a cigar in his mouth. Shanken: Bravo.Jordan: That, to me, is huge. This comes in a back-and-forth with interviewer Marvin Shanken, after Shanken posits that the debate for the greatest golfer of all time between Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus has been decided in the eyes of many. Michael Jordan's disapproving mom put a stop to his cigar smoking in 'The Last Dance' interviews, The Air Jordan 1 and why the NBA didn't want it on the court. I bought about 287 acres and were building 18 holes, a teaching facility. The thing that blew me away wasand I have to go back to see how it came up; maybe I was asking about his smoking habits, and why he smoked and so forthhe confessed to me that nobody knew, but on the way to every Bulls home game, because he's in the car for an hour and 15 minutes to an hour and a half, he smoked a cigar. What do you like to smoke?Jordan: Partags Lusitanias are my favorite. How much impact did each change or evolve the game, Jack during his time when he played or Tiger during his time? Nurturing new talent, developing new talent. Absolutely great. [Opens a box of H. Upmann Tivolis from the 1950s and the men begin smoking the cigars.] Hows it taste? I had no idea when I went there I was going to create a cigar magazine. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Apply Bed Bath and Beyond coupon and save 25% off your entire purchase, Target Circle: up to 50% off with Target promo code, Save 25% on your purchase of Spring Styles with Asos Coupon, Michael Kors promo code: sign up for KORSVIP + Get 10% off on First Order, 2023 Cond Nast. I do all I can to get their competitive nature. Hesdeveloped a daily habitof smoking and has no problem paying $500 a box for his favorite cigars. What led to the second one happening 12 years later? That aint hay.Jordan: [laughs] But it was a process with that as well. Its a safe haven for me, and yet at the same time its a great business. We have to make sound decisions, we have to make quality decisions. Yeah, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger's got14. I talk to my father-in-law about that all the time. "Marvin! Shanken: [Reaches for a second box of cigars on the table.] Michael Jordan venting to Cigar Aficionado is a bad look for the NBA | SPEAK FOR YOURSELF 56,544 views Oct 13, 2017 304 Dislike Share Speak For Yourself 361K subscribers Jason Whitlock talks. For me it was the best thing to happen to me, because it allowed me to go back to the game [of basketball] with a stronger passion. With the Jordan Brand, it is successful because I can impact it. During his hour-long interview with the editor of Cigar Aficionado, Marvin Shanken, Jordan said he "Started smoking a cigar going to the games. Jordan has appeared on two of the magazines covers, in 2005 and 2017, each time sitting for a lengthy interview (and a number of cigars) with editor-in-chief and publisher Marvin Shanken. Have you been to a cigar factory anywhere else?Jordan: Never have. Obviously with the embargo its a little difficult.Jordan: Yes. Great kid. Now, theformer Chicago Bulls star watches the game from the Charlotte Hornets owners office. "He's in a transitional period. Dont rub success in peoples faces. Cigar Aficionado Online, M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Hehir said Jordan told him, I cant have the cigar today because my mom got mad at me because she saw me smoking a cigar. She is probably the only person he listens to when it comes to his daily habit. I won six championships, Bill Russell won 11. Shanken: So its been through an editing process.Jordan: No, it has not gone through a true editing process. Click here to watch videos of Marvin R. Shanken'sinterview with Michael Jordan. Shanken: Where? I wanted that feeling of success, and relaxation. 2 cigars. Shanken: You have played at hundreds of different golf courseswhich are your favorites?Jordan: Its hard to say. He explained one was for the riffraff; the good stuff was for the real cigar smokers. It was a pushwe didn't lose any money. Regardless, it set the internet ablaze to the tune of 1.2 million views (and counting) in just 12 days, despite some of its contents being fairly outdated. Well, you can smoke a five-inch cigar: That's 20 minutes, more or less. If I'm in a rush, I can go for a Robustonot that it's not going to be rushing, but it's smaller.. Shanken: I assume youre at a competitive disadvantage in a lot of ways. Even during his playing days, the Bulls star was known to be a cigar smoker. Not with the same magnitude as in Chicago, but from a teaching standpoint. Because you can always put your name on something, but most of the things that I dopractically all the things that I doare very authentic in terms of my involvement. It is a regular production cigar and is as regularly available as it is top-notch. "Michael!" What does that mean? Druids Glen in Ireland. He doesn't know who he is when he's on the course having a good time. Jack during his time when he played or Tiger during his time. It became a ritual for every home game.. The former NBA star is still the only ex-player to be a majority owner of a basketball club. Theframing growshis legend without him having to make his own case. . Jordan had his first cigar after he and his Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship in 1991. Shanken: What does it mean?Jordan: I dont think it changes anything. Jordan is an intensely private man who gives few interviews. One stogie seems to have the whole of Jordans heart, and that is the Partagas Lusitania. Theyre going to get an honest understanding for what winning is about. You want to be able to have competitive balance within the league, and if a player or individual can choose to go to whatever respective team he wants, youre going to have discrepancy in terms of the talent pool. Unwavering dedication, day in and day out. Shanken: We talked, 12 years ago, about your love of cigars, and you also said you enjoyed wine. It seems like smoking a cigar before a basketball gamewell, I would not want to play basketball after doing that. "He couldnt have a cigar on set because his mom got mad at him," Hehir said. Let's put it this way: It's like averaging 45 points a game. The summer of "The Last Dance" and a conveniently timed interview drop three days after the Finals? He sat down for an unprecedented one-hour interview with the editor and publisher of the magazine, Marvin Shanken. Shanken: I know that you have, over the years, been very close with Tiger. Dont be afraid to fail. Shanken: And I assume you have no trouble getting a table.Jordan: No. I dont know if I could survive in this Twitter time. Is that the power of sharing a cigar with somebody? "Michael!" 2's are the undisputed top of the heap when it comes to Cuban torpedo cigars. And I can see who's calling. I like variety. One of the biggest issues we do have is we are not a Chicago, we are not an L.A., we are not a big market to where teams or players look to go. A lot of kids growing up because of their parents may start that way, but not end up that way. I have no problems with people seeing it, as long as they understand the passion, because its a strong passion and its very raw. You know, for another interview. Shanken: At my age I probably work too hard. When he plays golf, and he plays 36 holes a few days a week, he is smoking cigars. 2, Muhammad Ali was No. Pebble Beach because of the scenery, but I hate the long rounds. In his new life as a businessman Jordan has made one shrewd move after another. Shanken: Yes. The first issue of Cigar Aficionado was printed in 1992, which makes the interview roughly three years old. Jordan has appeared on two of the magazine's covers, in 2005 and 2017, each time sitting for a lengthy interview (and a number of cigars) with editor-in-chief and publisher Marvin Shanken. Since the release of ESPN's very popular Last Dance documentary series chronicling the '97-'98 Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan has been a pretty hot topic. At the end of the day my heart, my soul, my dedication is in the right place. As odd as it sounds that an athlete as accomplished as Michael Jordan loves cigars, it is true, and he loves puffing more than one cigar a day. First, you are attracted by its shape; you stay for its flavor, and you must always remember never, never to let the flame go out!". So theres more for me. And my cell phone rings. This comes as a surprise because it requires leaves of specific sizes to make and arent around all year. Its just a matter of time. Then you had an owner come in who was not from North Carolinaand were good friends, Bob Johnson and Ithatdisconnected itself from the community, angered the community, to where they would not support it. Have you ever been a coach?Jordan: No. He played his first NBA game at 21 years old and turned 22 midway through his rookie season. Regardless, it set the internet ablaze to the tune of 1.2 million views (and counting) in just 12 days, despite some of its contents . Get Access to the rest of this exclusive post, ad-free browsing and much much more by signing up as a Premium Member, learn more here So many podcasts, so little time. My wife is Cuban. You see in The Last Dance that, by a certain point, it had become very hard for Michael to live a normal life. A New Bolivar Made Exclusively For Casa Del Habano Shops, The Four Seasons Of Avo Starting This Spring, Clay Pipe Cigar Bar, Mohegan Sun, Connecticut, California Bill Would Eventually Ban Tobacco Entirely, New Ashtrays By J.C. Newman Have Vintage Look, 2022 Big Smoke Las Vegas Seminars: Blend Ambitions With Dewars And . I understand the benefits and the privileges I have for being who I am. Ive gone through so many good things, theres been very few bad things, but bad things make you better. Cigar Aficionado is a lifestyle magazine that revolves around, that's right, cigars. Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life. Cigar aficionado Jordan is not shy or modest about the number of cigars he smokes a day. Shanken: Five, 10 years ago people were always asking who is greater, who is going to be the greatest, Tiger or Jack? This combination gives it a rich taste, but one that is not pronounced. And I ask you that because you not only were a player, but youre an owner.Jordan: I think the agents responsibility is to educate the individuals. He even installed a walk-in humidor and special ventilation system in hisHighland Park estate. Copyright 2023 Holt's Cigar Company. Grinder. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. We won the championship, and Jerry Reinsdorf {owner of the Bulls] gave me one of his cigars. I dont want to just lend my name to a product. I think its unfair. 2. He's just a nice guy. Michael Jordan at the 2006 Ryder Cup Michael Jordan had his first cigar after winning his first NBA championship back in 1991. And if they do smoke, they smoke on the weekend. Because I can let my hair downwhat little hair I haveand be able to do the things I want to do. And I think most cigar smokers do. These are for the end of the night, and I'm getting ready for the end of the day. Her family has a lot of memories about Cuba, so in essence she wants to go, which I think is a motivational factor. Now, the former Chicago Bulls star watches the game from the Charlotte Hornets owner's office. Thats where I got my feet wet in terms of ownership. First of all, you're never gonna say, 'Who's the greatest of all time?' I never played against Wilt Chamberlain, I never played against Jerry West. It was the entirety of Cuban cigars as a whole. All Rights Reserved. Michael Jordan Used to Smoke a Cigar Before Every Home Game And more gems from Marvin Shanken, the editor-in-chief of Cigar Aficionado, on his two-time cover star. Leave it to moms to be protective of the lung health of their children. There was an inconsistency in their quality. It really told me that this guy loves cigars. Some people say there are just too many teams, and the talent pool is diluted, and the economics favor big cities in many ways. Call me, we'll set it up.". When we played, the talent pool was much broader, because the kids were in college much longer. And what you will see in that footage is my dedication to the game of basketball. He helped arrange it. Somewhere down the road hopefully we can do some cottages if we choose to do that. Once that was presented to me, and I understood the dynamics of that business, we were able to grow thatutilizing my persona in a whole different way. Shanken: Yes.Jordan: I never looked at it that way. Makes sense when you think about it, really. Bill Russell won 11. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. And you play it at a level to where it generated so much interest financially that it grew the game from a financial standpoint. Shanken: Have you seen a lot of it?Jordan: Yeah, Ive seen it. There's no fans, there's no camerasit's a relatively private moment. Our last year [with the Bulls] in 1998, we had a camera crew following us for the whole time, to capture the last dance. Coach Smith, my parents, taught me right from wrong, taught me to understand and listen and learn, and then I got with an agent who educated me. Shanken: Do you play golf almost every day?Jordan: Almost every day. But his love for the things goes even deeper than that, as the Editor-in-Chief of Cigar Aficionado magazine, Marvin Shanken, even said Jordan once told him he used to smoke a cigar before every single home game in . I was more into stock-car racing than I was into anything else. And obviously Michael was able to get the benefits from it, which was the relaxation. And then there's also shorter cigars that are fat. They remain the perfect companion for whiling away on afternoons. Did it seem that Michael had changed at all between interviews? Check out his thoughts on Rickie, JT and Spieth in the rest of this awesome interview here. I wish I could buy one of those old cars and ship it over here. My father was a big baseball fan; he loved Roberto Clemente. As he noted, the conversation is a public relations game. Shanken: It seems like every time Im at The Bears Club I see you out there wheeling around in your golf cart with a cigar in your mouth.Jordan: I smoke six cigars a day maybe. At the end of the day, my time in the spotlight is dwindling. this was right before we found out that michael jordan went and got dennis rodman from vegas who was in bed with carmen electra. Usually a Hoya de Monterrey Double Corona. I don't want to speak for him, but I think Michael enjoys the camaraderie that we have. A lot of people, it does hit them in a certain way. I watched college basketball and baseball. In the same interview, roughly 20 minutes prior, Jordan deflected a question about being voted the most popular athlete in American history, saying, "It's all [based] on who's watching now. Part of this gift is to bring back memories. To now say that ones greater than the other is being a little bit unfair. And its not final, they have to go through the approval state of his ownership. Shanken: From 93. The Monte No. Its the most relaxing thing.. Does that make Bill Russell better than me or make me better than him? It was very cool. Shanken: Im dying to know, have you had any holes in one?Jordan: Two. Naturally, Jordan has become accustomed to the finer things. Recently, this cigar has made a comeback, but its original flavor and taste have not. I'm gonna credit the cigar! But the story goes that lasted only one day. If everyone wants to go to Chicagoyou only can have 12 jobs in ChicagoChicago is going to get all the best players. What motivated that? If you ask 20 years from now, I'm pretty sure LeBron might beat me. Yeah. He may even think it's fun! That was such an eye-opener to me. He is also a cigar aficionado on the side. Legendary NBA player Michael Jordan is undisputedly one of the greatest athletes ever. #BoriHablamosTv #autoestima #amorpropioFor support our channel:https://www.patreon.com/BoriHablamosTVFollow Me: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borihabla. College kids cant wait to leave school to go into the pros. I think hes going to do a great job. Shanken: You are recognized in the business pressI hate to even use the word, I apologize for using the wordas a billionaire.Jordan: Me? Its gone through a lot. 7. If a kid wants to go and work and play professional sports and earn a living, he should be allowed to. "For someone that small to generate that much power, it's truly amazing," he said. Michael Jordan on His Favorite Smokes & Visiting Cuba - YouTube 0:00 / 2:56 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Former NBA starCharles Barkleytook a jab at Jordan, tellingAhmad Rashad that Jordan taught him to always have two sets of cigars. He said he smokes six a day, and he plays 36 holes. We had to be to the stadium at 6 o'clock for home games, and traffic was so bad it would take us an hour and 15 or an hour and 30 minutes to drive. Real talented. He's a big cigar smoker.. How can you develop your team to become a winner?Jordan: It takes a lot of work, which Im not afraid of. [smiling]Jordan: Great. Jack and Tiger never played against each other, they never played in the same tournament, they never played with the same equipment, they never played the same length of golf course. Jordan lays out a few, withthe comparison to the conversation aroundhim and Bill Russell the most compelling. I like to experiment on different levels of cigars. If youve got a guy that has heart, that has determination, he finds a will to win. I have my own wife. Director Jason Hehirexplained that in one episode, a cigar rests on the table next to MJ, untouched. When it comes to being the greatest basketball player AND cigar smoker, its hard to beat Michael Jordan. Obviously, Michael loves cigars and knew of me and read the magazine and so forth. He is a phenomenon. It's a secretit's a competitive advantage! Youre going to have one or two teams that are going to be great, and another 28 teams that are going to be garbage. Listen, I know it because I go through the same thing: When you play golf and you smoke a cigar, you don't even know you're smoking a cigar. . Very contemporary. My mother calls me practically every day, reiterating keep your nose clean. Thats her constant reminder that people are watching, people are learning, people are paying attention. So you have to create a winning culture, and you have to connect that basketball team to the support system within the community. Tiger evolved it to where it crossed a lot of different boundaries, where it's not just a white guy's sport. Shanken: And then a few weeks ago I saw your name mentioned as an investor in the Miami Marlins with Jeter. So he was at the Bear's Club [Ed. If you ask 20 years from now, Im pretty sure LeBron [James] may beat me. That is who he is. to me. So I have a question. ]Jordan: I was hoping youd forget. Michael is passionate about his cigars. On Oct. 14, Cigar Aficionado released a one-hour, uncut interview with Michael Jordan, which was conducted for the publication's 25-year anniversary.. GQ: So your first interview with Michael was in 2005. She wants to go for different reasons. Shanken: Why do you do so few interviews, hardly any, and why have you agreed to give us a second one?Jordan: Part of the reason I kind of toned back is I want my life to be my life. I'm worried about the traffic. Plus, having somewhere to go where I can control the environment is intriguing for me. [Opens a box of cigars and offers one to Jordan.] Take a negative and turn it into a positive. And that's how people are judging certain things. Its been great. He is the same guy. And being the leader of the team, I hold everyone else accountable for the success. What leadership is about. He was scuffling along in minor-league baseball, and after an inflammatory Sports Illustrated cover story (for which the writer has apologized not once but twice), the worlds most famous athlete decided he simply didnt want to engage. What changed between that time frame to now? With a net worth of $1.6 billion, the business tycoon earns most of his money through a longstanding deal with Nike. We athletes, we go through that. Shanken: I think its a wonderful way to go public and share with people just what you were like.Jordan: If you love something, and your agenda is to win, its a certain price you have to pay. I think the city deserves it. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. And when he came to me about getting involved I said Ill support you in whatever way. I think hes motivated to build a baseball franchise that can be successful. It's understandable though, considering the amount of golf he plays. If I had to smoke a cigar that I can get through, that would be an Esplendido [a Cohiba Churchill]. Shanken: I have this burning question that I think youre in a very unique position to answer. Pros and cons. We've had an amazing arrary of covers during our 30-year history. What motivated you to own a team? Clearly, he likes Cubans, but not too strong. The Jordan Brand is my DNA. Thats what my father and my mother instilled in me. Twenty, 30 years ago, millions of kids growing up wanted to be like Mike, as the slogan goes. Shanken: I understand you also have a car dealership, Michael Jordan Nissan in Durham, North Carolina. No player had ever done that before. But hes not stopping there. It is a double corona that has to be enjoyed over time. By Sam Schube May 15,. Many of us here at Best Cigar Prices have been big Jordan fans for a long time, the most notable of which is without a doubt our CEO Greg Fox. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. He thinks he has an edge that way. I love gatherings. This particular cigar was very popular in the 90s. When available, a box of 25 Partagas Lusitania cigars sells for approximately $500. The series revealed how his mother has to step in once in a while to caution his cigar use. All they think about is he batted .202, and he struck out a certain number of times. And the highlight there, which went viral after it was released, was when we talked about cigar smoking. Now I can do a lot of those things on my own. This is a very critiquing period of this world. I dont want to sit here and constantly reiterate things that Ive said a countless number of times. Those interviewsas well as the videos that accompanied the second storyare essential Jordan literature. Whether he's playing or spectating, rarely will you see Michael Jordan in a golf setting without a cigar in hand. He resonates with the consumer and the kids. I also want to go because Im such a fan of cigars. The Cuban Partags Lusitania cost on average $13 each in Cuba back in 2015. Many times. But Jordan has the money to spare on his favorite indulgence. @NBATVAhmad and MJ had to educate Chuck about cigar smoking ?Hear more on the latest episode of The Steam Room https://t.co/DnaKd2vyEu pic.twitter.com/F7FdYXo8V7, Youve Probably Never Heard of Michael Jordans Favorite Player. Jordan: But I dont want them to stop, I want to see what they do. [He points at a second box of cigars on the table. Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest: Tickets Available. His love for stogies is no secret, something he made clear in a 2005 interview with Cigar Aficionado. I dont know if I could survive in this Twitter time. Jordan is a well-known lover of a good cigar and has beensmoking daily since 1993, according to the Robb Report. His mom put an end to that, saying she didnt like it. "Marvin!" His Jordan Brand from Nike brings in more than $3 billion in annual sales worldwide, he owns a chain of steak houses and a car dealership, and he endorses a wide range of famous brands, from Gatorade sports drinks to Hanes undergarments and Upper Deck sports memorabilia. I love Medinah, because of the historic aspect and being in Chicago. No athlete in history has ever captivated audiences like Michael Jordan. We athletes, we go through that. The thing I remember the most about my fatherand I had him for 32 yearsI never look at it from a negative sense. So, I started smoking a cigar going to the games. Shanken: And 36 holes?Jordan: Always 36 holes. Shanken: Earlier you mentioned the competition. I met him when he was 12 years old. They had potential, and it got lost. Black guys, Afro-Americans, all the minorities played the game. In the interview, Michael Jordan mentioned that he would always smoke one in his car while driving to the Chicago Stadium. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. What about Washington? Up to that point, I had never smoked a cigar, never smoked anything, Jordan told Cigar Aficionado. Im massive, and some of these guys are so small, and they can blow it past me. Does that mean hes any less than Jack? I think that conversation is pretty much over to most people now.Jordan: I beg to differ. Six!? Among a handful of evergreen bites, though, was Jordan's take on the nature of the GOAT debate across sports. Shanken: This is a very serious conversation, but what I really want to ask you now, is while youve been talking youve been smoking a pre-Castro Cuban cigar. My first couple of years I was the general manager, and the next couple of years I went down and I played, because I still felt I could impact the game from a players standpoint. The legendary middle linebacker shares his go-to smoke. The famous chef's cigar of choice is a former Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the Year, can you guess which , Actor Edwin Lee Gibson likes to pair his cigars wtih a single-malt and sometimes a bit of writing. Take a negative and turn it into a positive. Seriously, just type in "Michael Jordan golfing" into your Google search bar and it's hard to find a picture where he isn't puffing away on the course, like a boss: His love for stogies is no secret, something he made clear in a 2005 interview with Cigar Aficionado. Some articles have noted the high price of the Cuban cigars Jordan likes to smoke. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. One I hit a seven iron, and one I hit a five wood. He said again that the Partagas Lusitania was his favorite. It is best enjoyed during a long game of golf or while you read a good book. Yes, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger has 14. Does that make Bill Russell better than me or make me better than him? The organization felt his behavior sent a bad message to children. Now does that constitute him being the greatest? I dont know how I can be a part of it, but I am a part of it from afar and from a support standpoint. I play from the backs. Michael, however, keeps a low profile. Jordan: I always wanted to be connected to basketball, because of my love for the game. Cigar aficionado Jordan is not shy or modest about the number of cigars he smokes a day.