"The scariest thing in your life is to be in the club, and having Mike Tyson talking to your ear" - Baron Davis recalls almost getting in the fight with Iron Mike in the club originally appeared on Basketball Network .
There are plenty of wild stories from All-Star weekends over the years. From those on the hardwood to those, a little less known, that happen in the hazed atmosphere of a packed club or any other place that players go to blow off their steam. But every now and then, a story stands out because it involves someone with an aura that is so big that it fills the entire room, or in this case, the club.
That's exactly what happened to Baron Davis , who found himself in a very unexpected situation during one of those downtime nights with his teammate and good friend Jason Richardson .
The two were out at the club, relaxing and taking a breather from a disappointing season. At the time, the Golden State Warriors were nowhere near playoff contention, so the vibes were more "we'll get them next year" than anything else.
Davis and J-Rich were just talking hoops (mostly) and sipping drinks, when that whole vibe shifted in an instant.
"The next thing you know, Mike Tyson is right here," said Davis, while pointing his hand right next to his ear. "And Don Julio (J-Rich) was like, 'Oh, sh-t, that's Mike Tyson…'"
"So he started whispering in my ear, talking in the club, dead in my ear. That was the one time… The scariest thing in your life is to be in the club, and having Mike Tyson talking to your ear, and he's mad at you. He is like, 'Man, what's up with you, looking all fat and sh-t,' I'm like, 'Damn, bro, he about to take me out," B-Diddy recalled with a smile, now that he is far away from that situation.
Now, it's one thing to have a run-in with a celebrity. It's another when that celebrity is Mike Tyson , the man who once bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in the middle of a heavyweight title fight. So yeah, Baron had every reason to be on edge, especially with Tyson whispering directly into what he surely hoped would remain his fully intact ear.
Tyson's presence alone is intimidating enough. But when he starts talking low and personal, you start thinking about your life decisions real fast. Baron didn't know if he was in for a joke, a lecture or a left hook incoming.
Davis may have been one of the flashiest, toughest point guards of his generation, but even he had to admit: when Iron Mike gets in your ear, you don't talk back. You just pray that he leaves you unharmed.
Interestingly enough, Iron Mike might have given a night to remember for Baron in a club, but when it comes to basketball, he's a certified fan. And not just of the game, but of another Michael who left people shaken for entirely different reasons.
Tyson's love and respect for Michael Jordan indeed runs deep .
Back in 2022 on "Club Random" with Bill Maher, Tyson opened up about what separated MJ from every other hooper who's ever laced them up. For Mikes, both of them frankly, it was never just about talent; it was the mental warfare, the tunnel vision of success, the sacrifice…
"The wholeness and the determination," Tyson said of Jordan at the time. "The willingness to sacrifice. You only do that by sacrifice. Only sacrificing can make you the best in the world. Nothing else. You have to sacrifice."
So, yeah, Tyson might roast you in the club. He might even scare you half to death if you're Davis. But when it comes to basketball, he's got nothing but respect for the greats.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
