Drake Claims Michael Jordan Lost $20K on Ping Pong Because He Couldn't Stop Gambling

Newsweek - Mar 23rd, 2025

In a recent interview with Stake, hip-hop superstar Drake revealed that NBA legend Michael Jordan is not only the greatest basketball player of all time but also the best gambler he's ever encountered. Drake recounted a story from the 2016 All-Star Weekend in Toronto where he played ping-pong against Jordan. Despite losing over $20,000 to Drake, Jordan refused to quit, showcasing his relentless competitive spirit. Drake's admiration for Jordan's gambling nature highlights the former Chicago Bulls star's unwavering commitment to winning, whether on the court or at the ping-pong table.

This anecdote adds to the already rich lore surrounding Michael Jordan, a figure celebrated for his unparalleled athletic achievements and business acumen. While some may question the judgment of a gambler who doesn't know when to quit, Jordan's determination in all aspects of life remains undeniable. The story underscores the cultural impact of Jordan's competitive nature, which has transcended beyond basketball, influencing various facets of his public persona and brand. Such tales continue to fuel the discussion around Jordan's status as the greatest of all time, further cementing his legacy in both sports and popular culture.

Nba Gambling Drake Toronto Michael Jordan Ping Pong Goat All Star Weekend

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RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The story provides an engaging narrative centered around a personal anecdote involving Michael Jordan and Drake, two prominent cultural figures. It effectively captures the reader's interest through its focus on celebrity interactions and competitive behavior. However, the article primarily relies on Drake's subjective account, which limits its factual accuracy and verifiability.

While the story is clear and readable, it lacks balance and transparency, as it does not present a range of perspectives or provide sufficient source attribution for its claims. The article's impact is primarily limited to entertainment value, with little potential to influence public opinion or drive meaningful societal discussions.

Overall, the story succeeds in engaging readers through its accessible language and high-profile subjects but would benefit from more rigorous sourcing and a broader exploration of the topics it touches upon. Its strengths lie in its readability and engagement, while its weaknesses are found in its accuracy, balance, and source quality.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as Michael Jordan's net worth being $3.5 billion and Drake's net worth at $250 million. These figures are attributed to Forbes and Madison Freeman of Men's Journal, respectively. However, the story lacks direct citations or links to these sources, making it challenging to verify the accuracy of these claims without further research.

Drake's anecdote about beating Michael Jordan in ping pong and winning over $20,000 is presented as a personal account, which inherently limits its verifiability. While the story captures the essence of Jordan's competitive nature, it relies heavily on Drake's narrative without corroborating evidence, such as other witnesses or official statements.

The article accurately outlines Michael Jordan's basketball achievements, which are well-documented and widely recognized. These include his six NBA championships and six NBA Finals MVP awards. However, the story could benefit from providing more context or sources to support the claims about Jordan's gambling habits and the specific event mentioned by Drake.

Balance

The article primarily presents Drake's perspective on Michael Jordan's gambling habits, which introduces a potential bias. While it acknowledges Jordan's legendary status in basketball, it focuses on a less flattering aspect of his personality without offering counter-perspectives or additional context from other sources.

The story could achieve better balance by including insights from other individuals who have observed Jordan's gambling behavior or by exploring how this aspect of his personality fits within the broader context of his career and public image. By relying predominantly on Drake's account, the article risks presenting a skewed view of Jordan's character.

Overall, the article could improve its balance by incorporating a wider range of perspectives, including those from sports analysts, teammates, or other public figures who could provide a more nuanced view of Jordan's gambling habits.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Drake's account of his encounter with Michael Jordan. It effectively conveys the main points without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details.

The language used is accessible and engaging, particularly in the way it captures Drake's narrative. However, the story could benefit from clearer distinctions between verified facts and anecdotal claims, which would help readers better understand the reliability of the information presented.

Overall, the article maintains a consistent tone and structure, but it could enhance clarity by explicitly differentiating between confirmed information and personal anecdotes.

Source quality

The article's primary source is an interview with Drake, which is a first-person account and inherently subjective. While Drake is a credible figure in the music industry, his expertise on gambling or Michael Jordan's habits is not established, reducing the reliability of the claims.

The story references Forbes and Men's Journal for financial estimates, which are reputable sources, but it fails to provide direct links or citations to these reports. This lack of direct attribution diminishes the credibility of the financial information presented.

Overall, the article would benefit from more diverse and authoritative sources, especially those with expertise in sports or gambling, to substantiate the claims about Michael Jordan's gambling behavior and financial status.

Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient transparency regarding the sources of its claims, particularly the financial estimates of Michael Jordan and Drake's net worth. While it mentions reputable sources, it lacks direct links or detailed references, which would help readers verify the information independently.

The story is transparent about its reliance on Drake's personal account, which is clearly identified as an interview excerpt. However, it does not disclose any potential biases or conflicts of interest that might affect Drake's narrative.

To improve transparency, the article could include more explicit citations and provide context about how the interview with Drake was conducted, including any editorial decisions that influenced the presentation of his statements.