Bill Murray recently shared his experiences from the set of the iconic film “Space Jam,” particularly the unforgettable moments of golfing with basketball legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. During an appearance on The Flying Coach podcast, hosted by Steve Kerr and Pete Carroll, Murray reflected on how this pastime turned out to be more stressful than enjoyable.
He fondly recalled the tension that arose during their golf games, which often took place during breaks from filming. “That’s when I realized that I did not want to play golf with Michael Jordan. Uh oh. But it was fun to play with them, and it was fun to goof around. It made it easier to shoot the scenes,” Murray said, highlighting the contrast between the competitive spirit of his companions and the casual nature of a typical round of golf.
Murray developed a rapport with both basketball stars, noting, “I knew Michael some, just from being around the Bulls games. Larry I got to know. I took a little while, as you probably know, but he’s a delightful person.” This camaraderie not only enhanced their off-screen interactions but also contributed to the overall chemistry during the movie’s sports-heavy scenes.
Interestingly, Murray’s initial scenes in “Space Jam” involved a round of golf with Jordan and Bird, setting the tone for the collaboration between live-action and animation that the film became famous for. This sequence ultimately served as a compelling introduction, allowing the audience to see Jordan alongside beloved Looney Tunes characters like Bugs Bunny.
Murray’s stories of mixing basketball nostalgia with comedic anecdotes provide an engaging insight into an extraordinary collaboration of sports and cinema. Although he appreciated the opportunity to share the golf course with such legends, he humorously concluded that it also solidified his decision to avoid competitive golf with them in the future.