Tag: Scottie Pippin

Klay Thompson will ‘forever cherish’ his childhood meeting with Michael Jordan

During the 1997-98 season, a young Klay Thompson got the chance to meet Michael Jordan and the rest of the Bulls featured in “The Last Dance.”

Like many current players in the NBA, Klay Thompson grew up watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls as a child.

In the 1997-98 season, Thompson’s father and former player Mychal took his sons to a Bulls game to see Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. After the game, Thompson and his brother got the chance to meet the five-time Most Valuable Player.

Thompson recalled his memories from meeting Jordan in the tunnel after the game. The Golden State shooting guard said his experience with the six-time champ was “motivating.”

Via @NBA on Twitter:

I don’t remember much from that night. I think the year was 97 or 98. It was one of the last championships that team won together.

I do remember the hype and hysteria that came with the Chicago Bulls. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and company. I remember my dad taking us back, waiting in the tunnel. We were just waiting — we wanted to see Scottie and Michael so bad. I don’t think I said a word. But just the fact I was able to be there and meet the legend himself was so motivating for me. I was able to tell all my friends when I went to school.

I’ll forever cherish that memory, and I can always tell my peers, my future kids, that I was able to meet Michael Jordan in his prime and see the Chicago Bulls and it was truly an honor and something I’ll never forget.

With the debut of ESPN’s “The Last Dance,” more stories about the Jordan era Bulls are bound to follow. Chapters three and four of the 10-part 30 for 30 documentary series covered Rodman, Phil Jackson and Jordan’s first championship. Thompson’s coach Steve Kerr made a brief appearance in the new installments of the documentary.

Episodes five and six of “The Last Dance” are slated to air on ESPN Sunday, May 3.

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Steve Kerr credits his experience with the Bulls for helping pave the way for the rest of his career

Steve Kerr credits his experience with the Bulls for helping pave the way for the rest of his career.

Although he didn’t get a heavy dosage of screen time in the debut chapters, Steve Kerr is slated to play a featured character in ESPN’s “The Last Dance.” The first two episodes focused on Michael Jordan’s rise at North Carolina, Scottie Pippin’s contract and Jerry Krause.

After the premiere, Golden State’s coach joined Scott Van Pelt to react to the ESPN’s 30-for-30 production. Kerr spoke about Krause, Pippin and even Dennis Rodman.

Kerr’s five-year experience alongside Jordan and the Bulls played a significant role throughout his future. At the core of all his success, the guard turned coach credits his time in Chicago for setting him on the right path.

Via @StanfordSteve82 on Twitter:

I feel like every time I see Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippin or Phil Jackson, I think back to that experience and it kind of paved the way for the rest of my career, both as a player and as a broadcaster and as a coach. I know how fortunate I was to be apart of that run, just like all of us do. That was a great group of guys, a very mature group, and we all knew just how lucky we were, and we made the most of it.

After winning three times with Jordan in Chicago, Kerr went on to have a flourishing basketball career at nearly every stop. With the San Antonio Spurs, Kerr won a pair of titles with Tim Duncan and David Robinson.

After stints as a broadcaster and executive with the Phoenix Suns, Kerr was hired to coach Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. A trio of championship banners later, the rest is history.

The next installment of “The Last Dance” is scheduled to air on Sunday on ESPN.

Steve Kerr: I wouldn’t have become Warriors coach without Bulls experience

Without Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Steve Kerr said he would’ve never become the coach of the Golden State Warriors.

On Sunday night, the basketball world hit rewind to the 1990s with the premiere of “The Last Dance.” After much buzz, the 10-part ESPN 30 for 30 documentary series covering the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls kicked off with the first pair of installments.

General manager Jerry Krause, Scottie Pippin and Jordan’s rise from Chapel Hill to Chicago were the focus of the debut episodes.

For Golden State Warriors fans, one familiar face popped up throughout “The Last Dance.” Former Chicago Bulls guard turned Warriors coach Steve Kerr was featured in the film.

After the first two chapters, Kerr appeared on ESPN with Scott Van Pelt to react to the start of the documentary. Amongst a bevy of topics, Kerr said without his experience with the Bulls, he would’ve never roamed the sideline of Chase Center.

Via @StanfordSteve82 on Twitter:

The first thing I would say is that if I hadn’t been on those Bulls teams, none of the rest of my career would’ve happened, and I mean that. I wouldn’t have become the coach of the Golden State Warriors if I hadn’t have had that experience with the Bulls.

(Kerr discusses his Bulls experience and Golden State at the 5:43 mark) 

In five seasons in with Jordan and the Bulls, Kerr averaged 8.2 points on 50.7% from the field and 47.9% from beyond the arc. The Arizona Wildcats product added 2.2 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game.

After winning five titles as a player with the Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, Kerr went on to coach Golden State to three championships banners with Stephen Curry and the Warriors.

The next chapters of “The Last Dance” are slated to air on ESPN on Sunday evening.

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