Tonight on ESPN is the first episode of “The Last Dance,” a ten-part documentary on the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season; their last with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson. The series also goes into depth about Jordan’s career.
It looks really good from the build-up and previews. Social media has been on fire as of late.
I am composing this piece 9 hours before it starts and I am filled with anxiety; I can’t wait to see it. Maybe I should pull out my copy of ‘Sacred Hoops’ by Phil Jackson and do some meditation?
A few things are certain; everyone will have an opinion on the Bulls, positive or negative.
They’ll bash Michael for being too mean to his teammates.
Scottie was overrated.
Phil only won 6 rings while coaching the Bulls because he had Jordan.
Blah, Blah, Blah…
Stop it.
In 1996, when I moved from Brooklyn, New York to East Lansing, Michigan I was a New York Knicks fan. Our cable package included W.G.N., based out of Chicago. I was in Basketball Heaven – I was able to watch every single Bulls game.
Yes, I quickly admired their team. Scottie Pippen became my favorite NBA player. My wife took a liking to Dennis Rodman; she grew up in Detroit and adored the Worm during his time with the Bad Boys.
The 1997-98 Bulls team finished 62-20 winning their sixth NBA title beating the Utah Jazz, 4-2. It should be noted Utah beat the Bulls twice that season in the regular season. Jordan and Ron Harper started all 82 regular season games. Pippen played in only 44 games due to a back injury. Dennis Rodman, as usual worked his ass off in 80 games pulling down 15 rebounds per game.
Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Luc Longley, Steve Kerr and Jackson would all exit stage left after the season; Chicago went 13-37 the following season. There was a strike so the season was cut short. Bishop Ford High School alum Charles Jones was on that 98-99 team.
There’s been a million things written about the Bulls incredible run in the 90’s, The Last Dance will reveal material never heard before. Jordan agreed to do it, so I think it’s going to be a big-time watch.
One thing we can’t take away, the Bulls had one of the greatest runs in NBA history, 6 titles in 8 years. I don’t care who they beat, that’s such a sad argument. If Jordan didn’t retire in between the 3-peats, they may have won 8 straight. Yeah Kenny Smith, I said it.
I will tune in tonight just like most basketball fans in America. Love them or hate them, the Chicago Bulls played the right way,
E-Mail: Hoops135@hotmail.com
PLAY THE RIGHT WAY 