As sports fans crave content during the Coronavirus shutdown, ESPN made the easy decision to move up its 10 part documentary, “The Last Dance”, chronicling the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season which culminated in their sixth championship in an eight-year period.
Thankfully, ESPN, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson and the rest of the Bulls delivered the goods. We needed it.
After the Bulls won their second three-peat in June of 1998, fans wanted to see if they would come back to try and become the first NBA franchise since the 1960’s Celtics to win four straight titles. Instead, they were broken up by unlikable owner Jerry Reinsdorf and even less likable General Manager Jerry Krause.
At that point, Jordan retired, Pippen joined the Rockets and Dennis Rodman signed with the Lakers. Jackson took a year off before leading the Lakers to their own three-peat.
It didn’t take long into the docuseries for the unmitigated bashing of Krause, who will serve as a human Pinata throughout the series. Krause died three years ago so he has no chance to defend himself.
Jordan and Pippen mercilessly mocked Krause for years for his lack of height and shall we say, portly physique. Making fun of a man’s lack of height is a sure sign of immaturity. Krause didn’t choose to be short.
It also didn’t take twitter very long to create another villain. Someone who was 12 years old at the time when the Bulls won their 6th championship. Someone who grew up a fan of Michael Jordan. Someone who is in the discussion to the question of who is the Greatest Player In NBA history? If you can’t name that person after those three clues, you probably are reading this column by accident.
The Twitteristas decided to attack LeBron James, his supporters or those of us who think a debate does exist as to who is the NBA’s GOAT?
I believe LeBron is the GOAT.
-
Ep 102: Chiefs, Eagles Advance To The Super Bowl
by Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 11:26 pm
I also believe that Jordan is the second greatest player ever. I’m ready, willing and able to debate anyone on this topic. But unlike Jordan supporters, who think it is sacrilegious to conduct this exercise, I am eager to partake. Meanwhile, Jordan sycophant’s response is that there is NO doubt, Jordan IS greater! Fine, but please explain why, and then hear me out. Its as if it became gospel that Jordan retired the title 20 years ago.
Latest NBA News
- Tributes To The Late Bill Russell Should Expand
- Three Surprise Teams Who Could Land Kevin Durant
- ‘Hustle’ Star Juancho Hernangomez Signs in Toronto
- Was LeBron James’ Criticism Of Celtics Fans Warranted?
- As The NBA Continues To Grow, Let’s Hope It Doesn’t Eat Itself
The whole debate feels political. Pick your side and ignore your opponent. Jordan fans feel like Trump supporters. Maybe Michael Jordan could stand in the middle of Michigan Avenue and shoot someone and not lose any supporters.
Unless you are still in your 20s and needed to watch this documentary to understand Jordan’s greatness, I don’t know what to tell you. Jordan hasn’t played for the Bulls since 1998 and not played in the NBA since 2003, yet people reacted as though his legacy will grow because of this documentary.
As often happens with great athletes, actors, musicians, and writers their legend becomes greater than their actual accomplishments.
Case in point, check out these numbers:
11-28 11-26 19-43 9-22
6-19 5-19 9-22 11-27
15-35 14-33 9-26
This numerical fruit salad is not my latest eye prescription or nuclear launch codes. They are Michael Jordan’s field goals made to field goal attempts in his 11 of his 35
Finals’ games.
Yes, I’m nitpicking, but my greater point is Jordan did in fact miss shots and have bad games in the Finals.
I believe men aged 34-48 grew up with Michael Jordan as their sports hero. These fans don’t want to hear that LeBron may be better than Jordan because that would besmirch their childhood and early adulthood.
Jordan is not the only all-time great whose legend has grown to mythical proportions. I have older friends that wax poetically about Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. According to them Mays and Mantle never made an out or committed an error.
If you look at life analytically you probably think that LeBron is the GOAT. Conversely, if you look at life emotionally, you feel that MJ is the GOAT.
The next four Sundays will be much of the same. The ‘Jordanistas’ will be even more intense. I’m digging in on my belief that LeBron James is greater than Michael Jordan.
See you Sunday at 9:00 p.m Eastern for episodes 3 and 4 of “The Last Dance”. I’ll remain willing to cut in.
John Sapochetti is Co-Host
Of The “SAP & KAT SHOW”
Heard On FullPressCoverage
Follow Him On Twitter @JohnSap25
-
Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
-
Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
-
2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
-
1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
-
1/30 - Conference Championship Recap: Eagles, Chiefs Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 10:35 am
Ian and John recap the Eagles and Chiefs victories on Conference […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Rockets at Thunderby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 8:15 pm
-
Heat at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 7:30 pm
-
Trail Blazers at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Clippers at Knicksby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Suns at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 5:15 pm
-
Wizards at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Lakers at Pelicansby Broken Controller Media on February 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
-
Ep 150: Owen Hart Part One - Young Gunby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: Final Notesby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - Friday, February 3rdby Full Press Coverage on February 4, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm