Tag: The Last Dance

Scott Brooks: 1990s Bulls had ‘no answer’ for Hakeem Olajuwon

Scott Brooks: “It’s easy for me to say this now because it’s all hypothetical, but I don’t think they would have beat us in ’94.”

Long before his days as an NBA head coach, Scott Brooks played as a reserve guard with the Houston Rockets over parts of three seasons.

One of those years was 1993-94, when Houston won its first NBA title in team history. With ESPN’s “The Last Dance” film airing in recent weeks, the debate has been reignited over whether the 1993-94 and 1994-95 Rockets would have won those titles, had Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan not abruptly retired for 18 months in the middle of his career.

But Brooks, who now coaches the Washington Wizards, isn’t buying it. On the Wizards Talk podcast, here’s what he said:

[The Bulls] had no answer for [Olajuwon]. It’s easy for me to say this now because it’s all hypothetical, but I don’t think they would have beat us in ’94.

Now, the next year, it could have been a different story. But that ’94 team, ‘Dream’ was, it was like destiny. He was locked in. I’ve never seen a guy up close every fourth quarter, I don’t even think he missed a shot, let alone make a mistake. He had both ends just covered.

Brooks wasn’t a part of Houston’s second championship team in 1994-95, following a midseason trade to Dallas.

The “what if Jordan hadn’t retired?” question about the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons is understandable on a superficial level, since Jordan’s Bulls won the three NBA titles before and after those two seasons.

But they also never defeated the Rockets in any of their championship runs, and there’s certainly reason to question whether Chicago’s nondescript centers like Bill Cartwright and Luc Longley could have held up against the Rockets — led by an MVP big man in Hakeem Olajuwon.

By comparison, many of the teams the Bulls defeated in the NBA Finals — such as Charles Barkley’s Phoenix Suns, Karl Malone’s Utah Jazz, and Shawn Kemp’s Seattle Sonics — lacked the offensive production at center to challenge the Bulls at their weakest position.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that Olajuwon’s Rockets were 5-1 against Jordan’s Bulls in the three regular seasons (1990-91 through 1992-93) prior to his unexpected October 1993 retirement. It should also be noted that Jordan did play in the 1995 playoffs, but his Bulls lost in the second round to Orlando. That Magic team was later swept by the Rockets.

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One popular theory is that Jordan was “rusty” in the 1995 playoffs after only playing in 17 regular-season games. But that’s not shown in the data. Jordan averaged more points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game in the 1995 playoffs than he did in the 1996 playoffs (when Chicago won the title), all on superior shooting from the field.

Ultimately, the Rockets and Bulls peaked at different times in the 1990s, and NBA fans never saw the matchup in the playoffs. But it’s a debate that has lived on for decades in NBA lore, and former players like Brooks are understandably ready to jump in and defend their accomplishments.

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Michael Jordan Jerseys, Michael Jordan Dream Team Gear, Where to get them

Whether you’re a UNC, Chicago Bulls, or Michael Jordan fan you have to see these original jerseys from Mitchell and Ness.

After ‘The Last Dance’ premiere, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls were brought back into the spotlight. If you’ve been looking for some Jordan gear to add to your closet or even just support your favorite player, we have you covered with these Michael Jordan Bulls Jersey’s.

With different styles to choose from including Michael’s home and away jersey and the USA Dream Team jersey, there is an option for everyone. These jerseys are available in a wide array of sizes that include small all the way up to 5XL.

This is a special event item, orders containing this product will be shipped separately. This item will ship no later than Tuesday, August 30th. Be sure to check the dates on shipping for each individual jersey.

Before you head out this summer, grab one of these incredible Michael Jordan jerseys’ so everyone knows your fandom is on full display!

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Carlos Vela toma inspiraciĂłn de serie de Michael Jordan

Es bien sabido por todos la aficiĂłn de Carlos Vela por el basquetbol y no podĂ­a quedar fuera del fenĂłmeno de la serie “The Last Dance”, que le ha dejado muchas enseñanzas al delantero que quiere aplicar en el LAFC. “Siento que tengo muchas cosas que …

Es bien sabido por todos la aficiĂłn de Carlos Vela por el basquetbol y no podĂ­a quedar fuera del fenĂłmeno de la serie “The Last Dance”, que le ha dejado muchas enseñanzas al delantero que quiere aplicar en el LAFC.

“Siento que tengo muchas cosas que aprender de Michael Jordan para tratar de ser mucho mejor en lo que hago. Lo tomo como una motivaciĂłn. Tal vez necesito ser mĂĄs duro y hacer mĂĄs cosas para ayudar a mis compañeros a ser mejores y asĂ­ podamos ganar campeonatos”, señalĂł Vela en entrevista con Goal.

Carlos Vela hablĂł sobre la importancia que tienen los deportistas en la sociedad al ser ejemplos, por lo que agradece el buen momento que vive, sentir que se mueve en la direcciĂłn correcta, hace al mexicano una mejor persona y un mejor jugador.

Sobre la atenciĂłn que el mexicano ha recibido de los medios de comunicaciĂłn, el delantero asume su responsabilidad de practicar deporte profesional en una ciudad apasionada de los deportes, por lo que entiende que es importante el aporte que haga a la gente.

Carlos Vela participó junto a James Harden, Megan Rapinoe y otros deportistas en una campaña de una bebida energética que ayuda a crear conciencia en la gente en estos tiempos difíciles.

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Michael Jordan’s daughter claims her dad hasn’t seen the new memes from ‘The Last Dance’

He’s not paying attention to them.

ESPN’s 10-part documentary series, The Last Dance, dropped at the perfect time in order to give sports fans a five-week reprieve from, well … everything.

The series was an entertaining look at Michael Jordan’s career with the Bulls, but the lasting legacy of The Last Dance had to be its contribution to NBA Twitter. Every week, the episodes provided fans with excellent material for new memes. From Michael Jordan reacting to an iPad to OG Karen Pacers Fan, the memes were all top notch.

But just as Michael Jordan absolutely hated the Crying Jordan meme, it seems like he has made a conscious effort to avoid the latest iteration of Jordan memes. At least that’s what his daughter, Jasmine Jordan, told ET Canada.

While most of the responses have been incredibly positive, Michael’s 27-year-old daughter, Jasmine Jordan, exclusively tells ET that her dad “hasn’t paid any attention” to what people are saying about it on social media, including “all the new memes/gifs being created.”

Jasmine did say that the entire Jordan family had been following the episodes on a group chat and had questions for their dad. But he just hasn’t been paying attention to all the memes.

“We would talk about what was happening, laugh at seeing our younger selves in some of the episodes and ask my dad any questions we might’ve had.”

That’s too bad that Jordan hasn’t wanted to follow the memes, especially when his own reactions were so great. But I have to think that they will be unavoidable at some point.

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‘Jordan Rules’ author says MJ lied multiple times in ‘The Last Dance’

Sam Smith sounds off on The Last Dance, which he compares to a show”based on a true story.”

ESPN’s epic 10-part documentary series “The Last Dance” left many basketball fans positive that Michael Jordan was, without question, the greatest basketball player of all time – but some critics have questioned just how objective the depiction of Jordan’s Bulls really was. Jordan, of course, had full control over the release of the project, and the footage was only ever unsealed with his blessing.

Since the series aired, former Bulls big man Horace Grant sounded off on the documentary, calling Jordan a liar and saying that the show was “B.S. in terms of the realness.” Scottie Pippen was also reportedly upset by his portrayal.

According to the guy who quite literally wrote the book on Jordan, “Jordan Rules” author Sam Smith, The Last Dance was more like a show “based on a true story” than it was a accurate examination of history. In an interview with on the Bonta, Steiny and Guru show on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, Smith said that Jordan lied or made up several things that ended up in the series, and debunked Jordan’s claim that he wanted the Bulls’ roster to return after 1998 for another run at a title.

Via 95.7 The Game:

“There were several things in the documentary that I saw, I would know, that (Jordan) made up or he lied about. They weren’t major things, but it was like when a TV movie comes on and they say, ‘This is based on a true story.’ That’s what that was. It was based on a true story.

…. They weren’t major, but the thing at the end [about a potential return after the sixth title] was a complete, blatant lie. I know what happened.”

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ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’

ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries
Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’ According to ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’
the upcoming project will be
called ‘Man in the Arena.’ 199 Productions, the legendary QB’s company,
will be involved in the nine-episode series. Tom Brady, via statement The news comes days after ESPN wrapped
up ‘The Last Dance,’ which chronicled
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The 10-episode docuseries ended on May 17
and was a ratings hit for the network. ‘Man in the Arena’ will detail the
42-year-old’s NFL career, which includes
six Super Bowl championships with the Patriots. It is scheduled to
premiere sometime next year. This NFL offseason, Brady left New England
to join the Tampa Bay Buccanners.

ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries
Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’ According to ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’
the upcoming project will be
called ‘Man in the Arena.’ 199 Productions, the legendary QB’s company,
will be involved in the nine-episode series. Tom Brady, via statement The news comes days after ESPN wrapped
up ‘The Last Dance,’ which chronicled
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The 10-episode docuseries ended on May 17
and was a ratings hit for the network. ‘Man in the Arena’ will detail the
42-year-old’s NFL career, which includes
six Super Bowl championships with the Patriots. It is scheduled to
premiere sometime next year. This NFL offseason, Brady left New England
to join the Tampa Bay Buccanners.

ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’

ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries
Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’ According to ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’
the upcoming project will be
called ‘Man in the Arena.’ 199 Productions, the legendary QB’s company,
will be involved in the nine-episode series. Tom Brady, via statement The news comes days after ESPN wrapped
up ‘The Last Dance,’ which chronicled
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The 10-episode docuseries ended on May 17
and was a ratings hit for the network. ‘Man in the Arena’ will detail the
42-year-old’s NFL career, which includes
six Super Bowl championships with the Patriots. It is scheduled to
premiere sometime next year. This NFL offseason, Brady left New England
to join the Tampa Bay Buccanners.

ESPN Orders Tom Brady Docuseries
Following Success of ‘The Last Dance’ According to ‘The Hollywood Reporter,’
the upcoming project will be
called ‘Man in the Arena.’ 199 Productions, the legendary QB’s company,
will be involved in the nine-episode series. Tom Brady, via statement The news comes days after ESPN wrapped
up ‘The Last Dance,’ which chronicled
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The 10-episode docuseries ended on May 17
and was a ratings hit for the network. ‘Man in the Arena’ will detail the
42-year-old’s NFL career, which includes
six Super Bowl championships with the Patriots. It is scheduled to
premiere sometime next year. This NFL offseason, Brady left New England
to join the Tampa Bay Buccanners.

Report: James Harden closely studying ‘The Last Dance’ film

“I am a competitor, and I want to see what those dudes were going through,” Harden said of Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls.

Houston Rockets superstar James Harden is slowly dissecting ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary on six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, and the 1990s Chicago Bulls, according to a new report.

After speaking with the eight-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2017-18 MVP, here’s how CNBC’s Jabari Young assessed it:

The Houston Rockets guard told CNBC Wednesday that he’s halfway through ESPN’s documentary “The Last Dance,” which details the last championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls during the 1997-98 season. Harden said he’s slowly dissecting the documentary, analyzing Jordan’s competitiveness as he awaits the NBA’s return.

“I just can’t watch it to watch it,” Harden said. “I want to see the ins and out and everything because at the end of the day, I am a competitor and I want to see what those dudes were going through.”

Harden, who told Young he was staying in shape during the NBA’s current COVID-19 hiatus “by doing a lot of cardio” work, said he was also intrigued with the business angles shown in “The Last Dance.”

“Players and coaches go through a lot to that probably won’t be shown in the public eye, but we have to deal with it and it’s effective,” said Harden, who has led the NBA in scoring for three consecutive seasons.

To his business point, Harden is starring in a new $20-million ad campaign for sports drink company BODYARMOR, which he’s a stakeholder in.

Entitled “Only you can make you better,” the 30-year-old Harden stars in the new commercial alongside six fellow BODYARMOR athlete partners, including Major League Baseball MVP Mike Trout.

Harden is dedicating the ad campaign to late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, whom Harden refers to as “his big brother.” Young explains:

A Los Angeles native, Harden dedicated the campaign to Bryant, whose initial $6 million investment in Bodyarmor was last valued at $200 million. Harden called Bryant “his big brother,” crediting him for motivating him to start investing.

“We’re all doing it for Kobe, a legend who put all his heart, all his passion into the company,” Harden said. “Only you can push you to the limit that you’ve never been. Nobody else can force you to make you want to be better, and that’s the kind of approach, the kind of mindset I have.”

With a voiceover by Michael B. Jordan, the ad’s narration reads: “We all want to win championships. We all want to be the best. We all want it to be our time. But the difference between imagining the future and being the future is what you do to get there. Only you can make you better.”

With Harden as its lead, the commercial will make its national television debut on Sunday, May 24 during TBS and TNT’s The Match featuring superstar golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. They’ll be joined in a team format by NFL legends Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

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Rookie Eric Paschall crowns ‘The Last Dance’ documentary ‘forever a classic’

After watching the finale of “The Last Dance,” Eric Paschall had high praise for the 10-part documentary series.

Over the last month, basketball fans have flooded to their television screens for ESPN’s “The Last Dance.” Throughout 30-for-30 series, players around the league have chimed in across social media to share their thoughts on the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls.

The 10-part series wrapped up its final two chapters on Sunday. In the last two episodes, Jordan’s battles with Reggie Miller and the Bulls back-to-back Finals appearances against Karl Malone, John Stockton and the Utah Jazz.

After watching the finale, Eric Paschall had high praise for the series. The Golden State Warriors rookie crowned the documentary “a classic.” On Twitter, Paschall said he’s going to miss the end of the week airings of The Last Dance.

Via @epaschall on Twitter.

The Villanova product also weighed in on other storylines from the final pair of installments of the documentary. Dennis Rodman appearing in professional wrestling, Jordan’s “flu game” pizza and Steve Kerr’s game-winning shot from game six of the 1997 Finals got reactions from Paschall.

 

 

 

 

With The Last Dance coming to a close and the NBA season still on hold, Paschall will have more time to fill until the Warriors are able to return to action.

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Gary Payton wasn’t thrilled to see Michael Jordan laugh at him: ‘You know I was hot’

He wanted to call up Jordan.

Over the course of The Last Dance‘s airing, viewers were in for a treat whenever Michael Jordan was handed an iPad.

Jordan’s reactions on their own instantly became memes, which honestly made the entire documentary series that much more enjoyable.

Well, as long as you’re not Gary Payton.

During last week’s episodes, Payton explained how he felt he locked down Jordan in their Game 4 matchup of the 1996 NBA Finals. Jordan scored 23 points in the loss on 6 of 19 shooting. But when Jordan was handed the iPad to watch Payton discuss the defensive effort from that game, Jordan straight-up laughed at Payton.

That reaction, again, became a meme. And Payton wasn’t too thrilled to see Jordan dismiss his defensive effort. In an appearance on the Opinionated 7-Footers podcast, Payton said that he almost called up Jordan to confront him about the remark before deciding better of it.

Payton said:

“Oh you know I was hot. I was thinking about calling him at the time. … But you know what, that’s what I expect out of Mike because I would’ve said the same thing. I would’ve said the same thing. You know me, B. I’m not gonna admit to nothing, man. I’m not gonna admit to somebody that D’d me up or did nothing.

I’ll always tell you that any time in my career, nobody gave me problems but one person, and that’s John Stockton to me. That is just the way the game goes. I’m not mad at Mike because Mike didn’t have too many games that nobody D’d him up.”

Aw, he should have called Jordan. That would have been a conversation deserving of its own episode.

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