Some Thoughts On Episodes 5 & 6 Of The Last Dance

Competitive Michael in full force. Love it!

• Jamie Mah @grahammah

If episodes 3 and 4 were a letdown compared to the brilliance of episodes 1 and 2, then episodes 5 and 6 made up for their minor disappointment in spades. There are so many topics to discuss here as prime Jordan the player and prime Jordan the celebrity finally meet, and the results are fascinating to watch. 

Let’s begin at the top with how Michael and all the other Eastern All Stars reacted to young Kobe. They're jawing at Kobe’s youthful determination was fun to see as it shows how much respect they all had for this up and coming 19 year old — one even MJ had to recognize. I think what he saw in a young Kobe was that same drive he once had at that age when he arrived on the scene in 1984. How he himself would not be denied, and that he felt this burden to prove his game at every stage. 

It’s no coincidence that Michael and Kobe would develop a strong friendship. Kobe admits that all he became and achieved was because of Michael. It’s such an uncanny revelation from one of the most illustrious players of all time. Honestly, as a sports fan, it shouldn’t be weird he did so either, which is why I’ve always found the Kobe hate so fascinating. If you want to be exceptional at something — anything — wouldn’t you want to study the person whom you aspire to become? Isn’t that how we all develop? What Kobe saw in Michael was the purest form of basketball greatness he’d ever seen, and he wanted to be that good himself. I can’t fault him for this and I commend him for even trying. 

As I’ve written many times before, Kobe came around too soon for most peoples liking. Basketball fans weren’t ready to say goodbye to Michael when he retired in 1998, and they certainly weren’t ready to hand the keys to his mantle when Kobe started to dominate in 2000. Sadly, I do think Kobe is being properly appreciated now, it’s just unfortunate that he had to die for this to happen. 

Anyways… enough MJ vs Kobe. 

Here are some of my thoughts on episodes 5 & 6

Signing with Nike and the beginning of the Jordan Brand

How important was this? Without Michael and his agent’s savvy drive to brand him out like the whore he would become, I firmly believe we don’t get sports marketing the way it’s done today. It’s uncanny how smart this decision was for him. But, as we soon would witness later in episode 5, Jordan’s brand awareness would go to such extreme lengths that it would unfortunately and somewhat justifiably cause him to come across as greedy and self serving. 

His actions with regards to not endorsing the black North Carolina senator in 1990 and how he wanted to hide the Reebok logo on his Olympic uniform only highlight these qualities even more. In hindsight, it’s somewhat sad that’s he’s become so brand driven as it does take away from him as a person. It would be nice to see him have and share his opinion on things, similar to how LeBron does now. But in a way, I also get why he hasn’t and doesn’t. The media spotlight he came to garner was immense and because of it he’s chosen to shy away from participating in it even more than he already has had too. I can respect that. 

Six Three Pointers in Game 1 of the 1992 NBA Finals

Oh, how the game has changed. This is like a half for Stephen Curry now. Not that Jordan, if playing today couldn’t have shot the ball the way players nowadays do, it’s just surreal to see how different the style of play is. 

Jordan would dominate in today’s NBA. That’s a fact. Every skillful player from any generation would adapt and be outstanding. However, players overall are way better today than they were back in the 1990s. Let’s accept this. 

The Dream Team — give me a break

I love how fans everywhere want to anoint this team as the greatest ever. As if. You have a washed up Larry Bird who can barely walk. A retired Magic. A college kid in Christian Laettner who barely plays and David Robinson, one of the softest players to ever play the game. 

Nah. I’d take the 2008 or 2012 Olympic teams over this squad any day. 

Also, why the fuck was Laettner on this team over Shaq? Who made that dumb choice? 

Gambling and Golf

This is so overblown it’s comical. No one would care now if Jordan did this today. Why they cared back then is beyond me. Almost everyone I know loves to gamble. The only difference here is Michael gambled with big money. So what? He’s rich. He can afford it. End of story.

However, the golf angle is fascinating. Seeing his love for the links made me realize why he craves being out there so much and I don’t think it’s entirely about the game itself. I think it has more to do with him being able to be normal and alone as being on a golf course was one of the few places in public life where he could go and no one would bother him. Seeing him sit and chill in that hotel sofa and lament the life he had waiting for him whenever he went outside made me feel somewhat bad for him. We forget this so often with celebrities, how we confine them to cages in their own lives due to the immense public adoration they garner whenever they are out. I honestly believe it’s what drove Michael Jackson insane. Imagine being a celebrity of that magnitude your entire life, ever since you were five? Sheesh! No thanks. 

Michael admits as much near the end of the 1993 season. He’s burnt out. He wants some freedom.