A Recap of ‘The Last Dance’ – Episodes 1 & 2
EPISODE 2
I found it to be pretty damn fitting that the filmmakers took their deep-dive into the life and background of Scottie Pippen in episode number two. This episode was almost entirely about Pippen, until Jordan stole back the spotlight later in the episode, which is also pretty fitting for Pippen’s story.
Scottie Pippen was second on the Chicago Bulls in scoring, rebounds, and minutes, first in assists and steals, and SIXTH in salary (122nd in the NBA). But he led the NBA in all of those categories amongst guys named Scottie, so Larry David GIF there.
Scottie Pippen’s Background
Had it not been for playing on the same team as arguably the greatest athlete of all time, Scottie Pippen would’ve been one of the top 3 or 4 players in NBA history. Don’t @ me. At very least, he would’ve been one of the top players in NBA history with one of the wildest backstories.
He got his start as an equipment manager at Central Arkansas.
Let me say that again. Scottie Pippen who is now known as the Tenille to Michael Jordan’s Captain, the Luigi to his Mario, the Chewy to his Han Solo, or for kids who were born after this historic Bulls run, the Patrick to his Spongebob… and this iconic figure in sports lore got his start as an equipment manager for the Bears of Central Arkansas.
Apparently, Pippen showed up to school there as a 6′ 1″ 155 lb. guard. But between the summer of his freshman and sophomore year, grew FIVE inches. And then later two more. I’m sorry, but can we get a 10-part docuseries during those few months of Pippen’s life?!
He was also originally drafted by the Supersonics, which reminds me. Can we take a moment to remember all of those in this documentary whom we’ve lost over the years? RIP in peace the Seatle Supersonics, RIP in peace David Stern, and RIP in peace (but as much peace as the other two) to (in my Seinfeld “hello Newman” voice) Jerry Krause.
Scottie’s Finances
In 1991, Scottie signed a contract for 7-years, $18 million. Pippen said he felt like he couldn’t take a chance on his health and needed that financial security, which makes sense when you realize Pippen came from a home with not one, but two wheelchairs. He probably did not take his health for granted.
However, painting Pippen in this “woe is me” light is a little movie magic if you ask me. Pipp did just fine for himself, just ask his wife.
Scottie did say he always wanted to make sure people in his corner were taken care of, but according to a November 10, 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated where the talked about the cheapest athletes in sports, those are the only people he took care of.
After Pippen signed his poor person contract, the Bulls neglected to restructure, with Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf basically saying if you sign a contract for a set amount of time, don’t come talk to us about a new deal until that contract is expired. Damn, was there anyone who worked for the Bulls named Jerry who was appreciative of the players?
Scottie’s Surgery
Eleven days after the Bulls won their 5th ring, Jerry Krause was looking to trade Scottie Pippen. Classic Jer. This paired with the uncertainty of whether or not Phil Jackson would return (also thanks to Jer) and the already mounted frustration of his cheap contract, understandably made Scottie very angry with the Bulls organization. So as a way to thumb his nose at them, he got surgery right before the season started.
The most alpha move Scottie made in his career.
Like a husband getting his vasectomy right before March Madness. It’s all about scheduling.
Scottie said, I’m not going to have a rehab schedule ruin my summer – which was actually my outlook towards my school’s summer reading each year. I’d put it off until the very last moment, because summer is supposed to be about fun.
Naturally, the Bulls got off to a rough start without Scottie. and oddly enough Michael Jordan talked about how he had to start leading the team without Pippen there. I’m sorry, can you say that again? You were the best player on a team that won 5 Larry O’Brien trophies and you had to start leading when Scottie was out at the start of that sixth championship run? Damn. Guess we know who da real MVP was.
Childhood Mikey Jordan
But since this was a docuseries about the mid-90s Bulls, we couldn’t spend too much time acknowledging Scottie Pippen without almost immediately reverting back to Michael Jordan.
This episode gave us a look into young Mike Jordan and how he would hand a pair of pliers to his dad when he asked for a flathead screwdriver. The episode also touched on how Larry Jordan was a better basketball player than Michael growing up. Which I guess settles the age old debate: LJ > MJ.
Then the episode touched on the most cliche motivational fact of all time, about how Michael Jordan failed to make his high school basketball team as a sophomore at Laney High School. What are you going to tell us next? Ryan Fitzpatrick went to Harvard? Antonio Gates played basketball?
Michael Jordan’s Foot Bones
In the episode that was supposed to be about Scottie Pippen and his backstory, we – of course – got a solid 10 minutes into Michael Jordan’s foot bones and how he broke them during his second season in the NBA.
Jordan was forced to miss time because of the break and asked the team if he could rehab at UNC, which he did, where he ended up playing live basketball before the Bulls doctors probably would’ve let him. When he returned to Chicago, he told the team he had been playing for the last couple weeks and that he was ready to go.
Jordan: the GOAT of basketball AND the “ask for forgiveness, not permission” expression.
But since it’s been a few minutes without a nasty Jerry Krause anecdote, we of course had to squeeze one in. He apparently put a limit on how much Jordan could play each night: 7 minutes per half. This obviously did not sit well with Jordan. especially when that limit forced him to sit on the bench in a win-and-you’re-in game for the playoffs against the Pacers.
Michael Jordan Doesn’t Know How To Tank
This should be obvious by now, based solely on his time spent as the owner of Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets organization, but also based on how he dragged the 30-52 Chicago Bulls to the playoffs, taking away their chance to draft within the first 7 spots of the following NBA Draft. And then as an 8-seed, against the top-seeded Boston Celtics, Jordan still wanted to worsen their draft position apparently. The guy went off.
Game 1: 49 points
Game 2: oh you know, just a casual 63 POINTS!*
*-an NBA record for the postseason that still stands
He was named Player of the Game in both games, despite being on the losing team in both.
Bill Wennington
I feel obligated to point something out.
This is Bill Wennington in the 90s:
This is Bill Wennington in 2020:
My man went from being the center of one of the most iconic dynasties in the history of sport to looking like the owner of a pawn shop. And by the looks of the background, he might be one. I’m not sure if this guy is going to pull down 12 boards or offer me 12 bucks for a surf board.
The most ambitious crossover event in history: The Last Dance and Ozark
Back To Jerry Krause Hate
With the rumors of Scottie Pippen being traded, it obviously pissed off Scottie, and apparently ruined whatever tarnished relationship he had left with Jerry Krause. Scottie would curse him out in public, and fight with him on busses, and I assume removed him from his Buddy List on America Online (which was the 90s version of unfollowing someone).
So of course, during his rehabbing, Scottie demanded a trade.
And that’s where the episode ended, which I will admit is somewhat of a lame cliffhanger. Are we supposed to believe Scottie might actually demand a trade and be shipped off of the 97-98 Bulls team? It’s like watching Sixth Sense knowing Bruce Willis is dead the whole time. We know what happens. But hell, I don’t care. You know I’ll be locked into my sofa same time next Sunday night regardless.
One Final Thing…
Is there anything deeper than Scottie Pippen’s voice? He makes Barry White sound prepubescent.
