‘The Last Dance’ Takeaways (Episode 7 & 8)

And now more takeaways from the second to last Sunday installment of ‘The Last Dance’​

•In terms of Michael Jordan’s retirement in 1993. I’m still not 100% convinced that was on his own volition. But I’m closer to believing that now present day than I ever have in the last 25 years. 

•I truly believe if it weren’t for the 1994 Major League Baseball strike that Michael Jordan would’ve gotten a real shot at playing in the Majors. Amid all the media negativity he was actually getting better as a player. 

•Toni Kukoc saying the word “motherfucker” is hysterical. I don’t know why.  

•Folks forget how good Scott Burrell was in college. I was convinced back then that he was a future NBA All Star. Oops, I got that one wrong. 

•I can’t say enough how much of the honesty I’m loving from this doc. Kids do not understand how prestine Michael Jordan’s image was in the 1990’s. Regardless of the rampant gambling accusations. 

•Once upon a time B.J. Armstrong actually made an All-Star team. Real talk though - he was actually one hell of a ball player. 

•I think we can be realistic and admit to ourselves that the 94-95 Bulls were not that good. Excluding Jordan’s absence of course. In hindsight how Jordan lifted the Bulls season on moment notice is actually quite incredible. No way in hell could that team beaten the Orlando Magic. They were loaded. Probably should’ve beaten the Houston Rockets in the Finals too. 

•That ‘96 Seattle Sonics roster was really, REALLY good. Forget Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. Detlef Schremph was a really good player. Hersey Hawkins was somewhat underrated in that era. Sam Perkins brought so much veteran leadership. Any other year that team probably wins a title. 

•Listening to Michael Jordan talk about how he’s driven and winning at all cost. To be honest it has brought conflicted as to whether his way is the right way to convey winning. Obviously it worked for him. It worked similarly with Kobe a Bryant. I still believe there is a happy  medium with cultivating a winning culture without being a complete prick to your teammates. Just my observation.