Comedian reveals how he scammed his way into seeing Michael Jordan's 55-point game at MSG

Jacob Hancock

Comedian reveals how he scammed his way into seeing Michael Jordan's 55-point game at MSG image

In case you've been living under a rock, "The Last Dance" documentary series on ESPN has become must-watch television every Sunday night, largely due to the lack of sports amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Each weekend, wildly entertaining stories about Michael Jordan and the 90s Bulls come out and give fans something to talk about during quarantine.

On Monday, comedian Gary Vider shared his own personal Michael Jordan story about how he and his father scammed their way into seeing the Bulls play at Madison Square Garden numerous times between 1993 and 1997, including Jordan's famous "double-nickel" when he scored 55 points against the Knicks in 1995.

Vider, just a boy, would pretend to be a reporter from Sports Illustrated for Kids while his father claimed he was the photographer. Neither claim was true, but the trick worked without fail every single time. Vider and his father would receive the same credentials as the real reporters and had access to players for interviews. Of course, Vider never actually did anything with his quotes, but he still got to talk to the NBA's biggest stars, which had to be one hell of an experience for a young boy.

MORE: Meet Michael Jordan's security guard John Michael Wozniak, who shined in 'The Last Dance'

They had one close call when an actual SI Kids reporter (an adult) showed up at Jordan's 55-point game, but Vider never told the reporter who he was, or rather, who he was pretending to be. What's even better (or worse) is that Vider managed to get into the crowded Bulls locker room after the game, but the actual SI Kids reporter did not as security had to limit media availability.

Vider might not have published a story from his experience back then, but these photos helped tell a pretty neat tale.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

From 1993-1997 My father and I ran a scam saying I was a reporter for Sports Illustrated for Kids and he was a photographer. My dad would smooth talk our way into games at Madison Square Garden and Nassau Coliseum without a ticket and get us access into the locker rooms. When we would get in the locker room I would (fake) interview the players, take pictures, and get autographs. One of the closest calls we ever had was Michael Jordan’s first game back at MSG after he took a year and half off to play baseball. We’d been to the Garden countless times before but this time an actual reporter and photographer for Sports Illustrated for Kids showed up. My dad made it a point for us to say hi to them, never telling them who we were. I remember thinking as a 10 year old this it we are going to jail. After watching MJ score 55 points my dad and I rushed to the locker room. Security was limiting how many people could get through, even press. We wound up getting in and the real Sports Illustrated for Kids didn’t. This pic is from my “interview” with Michael Jordan. #michaeljordan #scottiepippen #philjackson #billmurray #nba #lastdance #chicagobulls #basketball #scam

A post shared by Gary Vider (@garyvider) on

 

Jacob Hancock