6 things we learned in episodes 7 and 8 of ‘The Last Dance’

A look at the most recent pair of episodes.

It’s hard to believe, but we’re under a week away from the end of The Last Dance finishing up with its final two episodes.

On Sunday, the seventh and eighth episodes, we got a peek at Michael Jordan’s first retirement after the death of his father and his brief minor league baseball career before he returned to the Chicago Bulls again with a two-word press release — “I’m back” — that started the second half of Jordan’s unbelievable NBA career.

What is there to take away from the two eps? Here’s a look at a few of the notable things we learned on Sunday:

1. The conspiracy theory about Jordan being suspended for gambling was addressed

I was wondering if this would be addressed in the series: the idea that Jordan didn’t retire after the 1993 season but that he was secretly suspended by David Stern because of gambling. It felt like that was taken down by the late Stern himself in the documentary and by others.

2. A reminder that his brief baseball career was actually kind of incredible

Doesn’t it feel like some people think of Jordan playing 119 games with the Birmingham Barons was kind of a joke? But the documentary might change those opinions — he hit .202, knocked in 51 runs and stole 30 bases, all while showing off his world-class work ethic and earning the adoration of teammates.

3. Jordan isn’t robotic when it comes to talking about his leadership

“Leadership has a price.”

That quote is one of the biggest takeaways from the entire series. We all know about Jordan’s legendary win-at-all-costs approach, but hearing it from MJ himself was different, especially when he nearly broke down at the end of the seventh episode while discussing that subject.

4. The best moments in the series have been when Jordan watches recent interviews

First, it was his response to Isiah Thomas. Then, on Sunday, we got the maniacal laugh at Gary Payton talking about his defense on Jordan in the 1996 Finals:

Gold.

5. Didn’t anyone learn not to trash talk or celebrate in front of Jordan?

The eighth episode gave us so many examples: his former teammate B.J. Armstrong celebrating after a win in the first round of the 1995 playoffs made the recently-returned Jordan furious. Magic guard Nick Anderson saying “45 isn’t 23” about Jordan wearing his new number after his return and losing to Orlando, which Jordan didn’t forget the next year in the postseason. Sonics coach George Karl not saying hello at a restaurant they were both at before the 1996 Finals.

And then there were the slights that WEREN’T real!

The story was that Bullets forward LaBradford Smith scored 37 against the Bulls one night in 1993. Jordan heard Smith say “Nice game, Mike,” and went on to torch the Bullets in the very next game. But it turns out …

I mean, wow.

6. The footage of him after winning the 1996 Finals is heartbreaking

We’ve seen Jordan breaking down after he won his fourth championship with a basketball in his hands before, but it doesn’t make it any less tough to watch.

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