In-Depth Analysis of Documentary Episodes 5 and 6: “The Last Dance”

Introduction

The fifth and sixth episodes of the compelling ten-part series, “ The Last Dance ”, delve into various subjects including Michael Jordan's gambling habits, the celebrated 1992 Dream Team, the entrance of Kobe Bryant into the NBA, MJ's final All-Star game, the Chicago Bulls' domination over the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1992 Finals, and Jordan's iconic endorsements, particularly with Nike. This documentary consistently impresses viewers and seems to enhance its storytelling with each airing.

The 1997 – 1998 NBA All Star Game

In discussions among the Eastern Conference All Stars, Michael Jordan shares insights about Kobe Bryant , noting Kobe's unique approach to the game where he actively takes control instead of waiting for opportunities. Jordan reminisces about how Kobe prefers one-on-one plays and how he intended to challenge Bryant during what many believed would be MJ's final All-Star appearance. Bryant recognizes Jordan as a significant influence on his game, crediting him with invaluable lessons that shaped his early career.

The highlights from the historic rivalry clash between the Eastern and Western Conference All Stars provided thrilling entertainment. Michael Jordan secured the MVP award during the 1997-1998 All-Star Game, concluding his legendary career with three such honors (1988, 1996, 1998).

The First and Final Game at Madison Square Garden: “Gotta be the Shoes”

Michael Jordan has always viewed Madison Square Garden in New York City as the pinnacle of basketball venues and has consistently expressed his passion for playing there throughout his career. Thus, on March 8, 1998, when the Chicago Bulls faced off against the New York Knicks at this iconic arena, Jordan paid special homage, believing it might be his final game there. National Basketball Association Before the game, MJ arrived at Madison Square Garden sporting a pair of 14-year-old “ Chicago Air Jordan 1’s ”, the very shoes he wore in his inaugural match at the arena. He was seen getting ready with these classic sneakers in the locker room before the highly anticipated game against the Bulls' arch-rivals, the Knicks.

Jordan delivered an impressive performance, scoring 42 points, and shared his experience saying, “ By halftime my feet were bleeding, but I was playing well, and I didn’t want to take them off. I couldn't get those shoes off fast enough, and when I finally did, my sock was drenched in blood.” Typical of MJ, he thrived under pressure when it mattered most.

In earlier days, before his partnership with Nike , Jordan had a preference for Adidas footwear and was close to signing a deal with them for his first major shoe endorsement. Unfortunately for Adidas, they were undergoing internal issues at that time, which prevented them from fulfilling Jordan's contract—an enormous blunder for their brand. Initially reluctant to meet with Nike executives on their western campus, Jordan's mother, Deloris, persuaded him to attend the meeting. Ultimately, Nike presented an irresistible contract, leading to the birth of the iconic Air Jordan line, which generated $126 million in sales within its first year.

Shoe Deal

Jordan’s promotional efforts extended across numerous major brands, including McDonald’s, Wilson Sporting Goods, Gatorade, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Wheaties , among many others.

Other Endorsements

The Challenge of Retaining Back-to-Back NBA Titles

Jordan developed an understanding of how to effectively work alongside his teammates, embracing a winning mentality that didn’t rely solely on his individual skills. He recognized the importance of delegating responsibilities to ensure that the Chicago Bulls could clinch NBA championships.

In the intense finals match-up of the 1991-1992 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls squared off against the Portland Trail Blazers—two powerhouse teams of the league. On the eve of Game 1, Michael engaged in a card game with Magic Johnson, confidently stating, “ You'll see tomorrow... I'm going to dominate this guy (Clyde Drexler). ”

The 1992 NBA Finals

MJ showcased an outstanding performance, sinking remarkable three-point shots, eventually breaking NBA Finals records with 5 three-pointers and 33 points in a single half. Capturing the moment, he delivered his iconic shoulder shrug while glancing at Magic Johnson , who was commentating for NBC. The Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Trail Blazers, winning the 1992 NBA Finals 4-2, marking their second consecutive championship.

This portion of the documentary highlights how the NBA sought to send its top athletes to the Olympics after being disillusioned by prior disappointing performances. The narrative surrounding Jordan's reluctance to play alongside Isiah Thomas is nuanced, as many elite players shared similar sentiments regarding Thomas.

The 1992 Olympic Dream Team

The legendary 1992 Dream Team comprised basketball icons including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird , Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Clyde Drexler, Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin, and Christian Laettner. Except for Laettner, every member of this esteemed squad has either been inducted or will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The practices featuring the Dream Team engaging in fierce competition amongst themselves often exceeded the excitement of the actual Olympic matches held in Barcelona during the 1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan firmly established himself at the pinnacle of NBA talent, surpassing greats like Magic and Bird and asserting his dominance in the league.

Under Jordan and Pippen's leadership, the Dream Team notably targeted Toni Kukoc , responding to Jerry Krause's public statements about Kukoc being the Chicago Bulls' future star. They decisively defeated Kukoc in their first match-up, although he later proved himself during the gold medal game. The United States claimed the gold medal in basketball that year with the formidable Dream Team lineup.

During the early '90s, Jordan emerged as a cultural icon and arguably the greatest sports figure of the time. His fame not only elevated the NBA's profile but also boosted the sales of various products, especially sneakers. However, Jordan faced significant backlash for his reluctance to endorse the African American candidate in the North Carolina Senate race, opting not to use his influence to support Harvey Gantt against the divisive Jesse Helms.

Sneakers vs. Politics

“ Republicans buy sneakers too ” is the infamous remark Jordan made in response to this political controversy. He later clarified that this comment was made in a lighthearted context among friends, and he was hesitant to endorse someone about whom he had little knowledge (Gantt). As a result, Jordan's standing in the African American community suffered somewhat, as he was known for avoiding political involvement.

Additionally, Jordan often faced criticism for his gambling tendencies. He explained that his competitive nature fueled his gambling habits, which he viewed more as a hobby than an addiction, as he had the financial means to support any bets he made.

Gambling Habits

In episode six of “The Last Dance” Sam Smith's book “The Jordan Rules” stirred some controversy by depicting the Chicago Bulls as a team rife with conflict and strife. The narrative painted Jordan as overly demanding towards his teammates, highlighting instances where MJ engaged in verbal and even physical clashes with other players on the Bulls.

The Jordan Rules

Some players around Jordan were rumored to have leaked private information to the media, particularly to Smith, who included these details in his bestselling book. Horace Grant became a focal point of this controversy, taking the fall for allegedly sharing insider information, although he strongly denied revealing anything to the author. B.J. Armstrong came to Grant's defense, asserting that not all information could have originated from Horace.

The documentary also explores the intense rivalry the New York Knicks posed to the Chicago Bulls in the early '90s. Led by exceptional athletes like Patrick Ewing , John Starks, Charles Oakley, Anthony Mason, Doc Rivers, and more, the show details the playoff conflicts between these two Eastern Conference titans. this documentary The matchups were marked by physicality and high tension, with many fans and analysts considering the playoff encounters between the Bulls and Knicks in those years to be more compelling than the NBA Finals themselves. Jordan's competitive spirit ensured that the Bulls consistently overcame the formidable challenges posed by the Knicks during that time.

The New York Knicks

As the Chicago Bulls approached their quest for a first three-peat, they faced a fierce challenge from the talented Phoenix Suns in the 1993 NBA Finals. The Suns boasted star players such as Charles Barkley , Kevin Johnson, Dan Majerle, Danny Ainge, Cedric Ceballos, and more, posing the last significant obstacle to the Bulls’ third consecutive championship after their dominance in the Eastern Conference.

Exploring Episodes Five and Six of the series 'The Last Dance'

The 1993 NBA Finals

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Analysis of Episodes Five and Six from the Documentary 'The Last Dance'

In the fifth and sixth episodes of the fascinating ten-part series, ' The Last Dance ', important themes emerged, including Michael Jordan’s gambling tendencies, the legendary 1992 Dream Team, Kobe Bryant's entrance into the league, Michael's concluding NBA All-Star game, the Chicago Bulls dominating the Portland Trail Blazers during the 1992 NBA Finals, and Jordan's numerous endorsements, particularly with Nike. The documentary continually impresses, consistently improving with each episode's release. Chicago Bulls players During the All-Star game, Jordan and fellow Eastern Conference All-Stars shared their thoughts about Kobe Bryant . They acknowledged Kobe's proactive approach to the game, emphasizing how he doesn’t wait for opportunities but rather seizes them. Michael highlighted Kobe’s penchant for one-on-one play, hinting at his own intentions to take on Bryant in what many believed could be Jordan’s final All-Star appearance. Kobe openly credited Jordan as a significant influence on his own game, especially during the early stages of his NBA career.

The showdown between the Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars was a thrilling display, with Michael Jordan earning the MVP title at the 1997-1998 NBA All-Star game. Throughout his remarkable NBA journey, Jordan garnered this honor three times (1988, 1996, and 1998).

First and Final Game at Madison Square Garden: 'It Has to Be the Shoes'

Episodes 7 and 8

Jordan has always viewed Madison Square Garden in New York City as the pinnacle of basketball. His admiration for the venue has been evident throughout his playing career. So, when the Chicago Bulls faced the New York Knicks on March 8, 1998, Jordan honored the Garden, believing it might be his last time competing there.

Sources:

“Michael Jordan” , basketball-reference.com, April 28, 2020.

“Scottie Pippen” , basketball-reference.com, April 28, 2020.

“Dennis Rodman” , basketball-reference.com, April 28, 2020.

Written by: David Green