By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
In the ninth episode of “The Last Dance,” Reggie Miller recalls a tale from his very first matchup with Michael Jordan back in 1987. Miller, a rookie, tried to talk some trash to MJ after seeing him struggling in the first half, telling him “You are Michael Jordan? The guy who walks on water?”
Whatever the young Miller had in his mind didn’t work since Jordan went to completely outscore him in the second half. According to Miller, when Jordan was walking off the court he said “don’t ever talk trash to the Black Jesus.”
For generations of people worldwide, Jordan was – and still is- something akin to a deity. A figure that has commanded religious-like worship and adoration, an icon that inspired millions. MJ became a global phenomenon and his impact was correspondingly vast and felt through the whole planet, especially by those who as kids grabbed a ball and dreamt of becoming like him one day.
In light of the showing of “The Last Dance”, Eurohoops asked #23 (yes, the number is far from coincidental) EuroLeague players to discuss their experience from watching the documentary, how it affected them, and the inspiration they drew by getting such an inside look on Michael Jordan’s career, mentality and character.
The 23 players were asked the following questions:
1) Is your impression of Michael Jordan any different after watching The Last Dance?
2) What was the most surprising/shocking/unexpected perhaps thing you watched in The Last Dance?
3) What sort of inspiration do you think that The Last Dance provides for athletes overall and you personally? – What would you tell MJ if you had him in front of you right now?
The list of players is pretty diverse: It includes former EuroLeague MVPs, champions, Final Four MVPs, All-First Team Members and NBAers. There are players who come from different countries and backgrounds, hoopers who witnessed his “His Airness” in all his glory when the greatness was happening, others who first took a taste of it on DVD or a TV special, and some who probably got a serious idea of who he was mainly thanks to YouTube. There’s also someone who wasn’t even three years old when MJ played his last game with the Washington Wizards in 2003.
The factor that connects them? They were all inspired in one way or another by The Last Dance with some admitting that the documentary had a major, immediate effect on them.
The players are presented in alphabetical order.
Billy Baron: “Not only was he the best, he also worked the hardest”
1. My impression of MJ didn’t change, he’s always been the GOAT and always will be the GOAT.
3. I knew Dennis Rodman was doing his own thing most of the time but I forgot that he went and made an appearance during the finals with the WCW. That’s absolutely wild.
3) I always knew the type of leader MJ was. My agent my first few years out of college was BJ Armstrong and when I was preparing for the NBA Draft in Los Angeles I used to head over to BJ’s office and just ask him to tell me stories of Mike. When MJ said leadership has a price and that he didn’t make anyone do something that he didn’t do was by far the part in the documentary that was the most inspiring. Not only was he the best but he worked the hardest and got addicted to winning and made sure his team did something every single day that got them closer to the final goal. This is why I take pride in calling him the GOAT because of everything he stands for.
Malcolm Delaney: “The Last Dance actually made me have more respect for MJ”
1. No, my impressions of Michael Jordan didn’t change. I studied Jordan and I was well aware of most of these things growing up. It actually made me have more respect seeing it in this light because his mentality made him the killer he was. It wasn’t just skill.
2. The most shocking thing was seeing how Dennis Rodman left to take a vacation to Las Vegas and came back like nothing happened and the fact that he also missed a shootaround to go do wrestling and make some money during the finals (laughs).
3. The inspiration is really just showing what are the results when mental toughness meets physical preparation. Finding ways to self motivate and not always looking for the next person. And if MJ was in front of me I’d just thank him for what he did for basketball. And the sneaker world (laughs).
Amedeo Della Valle: “I wish I could have fun with Dennis Rodman one night”
1. Honestly, I was following Michael Jordan’career very closely the whole time. There were still some episodes that I didn’t know about but I really expected to see him like that. Because he wants to win so bad.. he wants it so badly that he’s going to do whatever it takes. He’s always given me that vibe and I’m glad that this was confirmed in the show.
2. The craziest things I experienced in The Last Dance was that many of the players were able to leave during the Finals. For example, Michael Jordan went to the casino and Dennis Rodman actually went to perform for WWE. In a wrestling stage. I loved his character before and now I love him even more because he’s so bizarre and so real.
3. I think The Last Dance is a big motivation for every basketball player. Especially since while we were watching the show, most of us weren’t in the gym [due to the shutdown]. And we wanted to get back in the gym, to go hard, to work out. Just by watching the show, it pushes you to get better. That’s the main thing.
Jordan is great of course but by watching the show… I wish I could have fun with Dennis Rodman for one night.
Bobby Dixon (a.k.a. Ali Muhammad): “He wanted to win but he was a big as–ole”
1. My first impression of Michael Jordan… I kind of knew about how obsessed he was. Me being from Chicago, I saw most of that when I was growing up. He was larger than life.
2. The most shocking thing to me was seeing how aggressive MJ was and how he talked to people. Jordan wanted to win but he was a big as—ole (laughs).
3. I mean, of course, there’s only one Michael Jordan. To see what it took to become the greatest basketball player of all time? It teaches you to always do your best and strive to become great on whatever level you on.
I probably wouldn’t say much if I met him but: What’s up Mike, can I get a photo? He probably would say no then I would hit him with some jokes (laughs).
Zoran Dragic: “Winning first starts in your head”
1. No. He was notorious competitor before and also after “The Last Dance”
2. Just how exhausting the whole journey was. The journey of winning and the path to get to that winning team mentality.
3. The inspiration for me is that winning first starts in your head. If you want to win you have to believe. And once you believe, it’s not about saying but more about doing it. No pain, no gain, as they say.
What I would say to MJ? I admire you because you sacrificed so much for winning and trying to be the best. And I congratulate you for doing it.
Anthony Gill: “The Last Dance will make everyone strive to be more like MJ”
1. I did have a chance to actually watch some of the games and I was able to see what was going on during that time. I was too young to remember any of his games.
2. I think the two things that stood out the most were Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen. Dennis was a beast and would party all night and still dominate everyone. Scottie was a great player that was drastically underpaid.
3. The Last Dance will make everyone strive to be more like Michael. They will work really hard to be the best they can be. Thank you, Mike, for all that you have done for the game
Kyle Hines: “MJ, you’re the reason I play basketball”
1. My impression of Michael Jordan didn’t actually change that much. I was a big Michael Jordan while growing up, I had seen Michael Jordan to the max and I’ve read everything. For me, it was more or less like a confirmation of who he is and the greatness of the player he was. On and off the basketball court. His competitiveness and all that stuff. I kind of grew up in that era so I knew everything about Michael Jordan already. So for me, it was more or less like a confirmation to kind of see his greatness on the basketball court. His competitive nature. His fire. His will to win. All that gave me a confirmation of why he was the best basketball player and one of the greatest athletes of all time.
2. The most shocking things to me where the stuff with Dennis Rodman. I knew about him, I knew about his story. But just to kind of see the different things he did… like riding motorcycles after the game, skipping practice to go to a wrestling match. Those things were definitely kind of surprising to me. I thought I knew him but I didn’t necessarily remember all those different situations. Then also the life in which Michael Jordan lived. The fact that he couldn’t even leave his hotel room. He couldn’t do some of the normal things. This are the kind of shocking things. To see it from his perspective and to see why he walked away from basketball during that time.
But definitely Dennis Rodman. All the things he was doing were definitely crazy and kind of wild. The story of him leaving to go to Vegas for a load management trip… I think that was funny. Also to see Jordan’s rapport with the security guards and the people around him. At the time he was the most famous basketball player in the world. The most famous athlete in the world. He could easily be not so open. But the fact that he was open with his security guys and some other people in the arena. I think that kind of showed the kind of person he was. That was definitely surprising to me.
3. The inspiration for me was just showing the dedication, determination and the willingness a person has to have in order to be great. Michael Jordan was truly committed to winning and being the greatest of all time at any cost. He was going to sacrifice everything and anything in order to win a championship or a basketball game. His competitive nature, his competitive spirit was what made him the greatest. That’s the inspiration itself for me. That if you want to be great, not only in basketball but anything, you got to have that determination and competitive fire he had to win.
It was also motivational to kind off see not only him but that championship team. What it takes to be a championship team, successful team. All the work, all the effort that you got to put into during the season. It was inspiring for me from that standpoint. To see the work and the grind that goes through in order to be successful at your craft.
If I was in front of Michael Jordan right now? I would just say thank you. Thank you for all that he’s done and all he’s contributed to the game of basketball. He has inspired millions and millions of kids, millions of players all over the Earth. Just by his game and just by playing. I would say thank you and show him gratitude. He’s the reason why I play basketball. He’s the reason why I have Jordan shoes, why I wanted to be successful as a basketball player. I would just show gratitude and appreciation.
Austin Hollins: “MJ set an example for the work necessary to be the greatest athlete ever”
1. I don’t have a different opinion about Michael Jordan after watching The Last Dance, however, I do appreciate his greatness even more and it solidifies what I already believed which was that he was the greatest of all time.
2. There were a lot of things that surprised me while I was watching, so it’s hard to pick just one. There was a lot of dysfunction on that team, but they still managed to win. I think Scottie Pippen refusing to go in the game when Phil Jackson didn’t draw the play up for him was a moment I was not expecting.
3. I think that The Last Dance motivates athletes to work for what they want regardless of what sport they may play. There are many different ways to lead and to be successful, but the work is the same. Jordan set an example for the work necessary to be the greatest athlete ever. He wasn’t worried about what people thought about him because his end goal was so much more important than that to him. As a competitor, there’s no way to watch an up close and personal behind the scenes documentary about a person who inspired many of the greatest players of this generation (and of all time) and not draw inspiration from it. People may not agree about how he did things but I don’t think there’s any doubt about who is the greatest to ever play the game. It’s Michael Jordan.
Shane Larkin: “Even though MJ was the best player in the world, he pushed himself as if he wasn’t”
1. My impression of Michael Jordan has changed a little bit after watching the Last Dance. I obviously knew he was the GOAT before and now it makes it even clearer. The way he led his team and the way he challenged himself to be the best version of himself each and every day was inspiring. As a leader, he didn’t ask anything out of his teammates that he wasn’t doing. Even though he was the best player in the world he pushed himself as if he wasn’t and that is something that creates greatness.
2. I think the most surprising thing that happened during The Last Dance was the way that the dynasty fell apart. Ego is a very dangerous thing and watching how that amazing dynasty fell apart due to ego was disheartening. I wish they would have been able to find a way to be together for longer periods of time to see exactly how great they could’ve been. As it is right now, they are one of the best teams in the history of sports but the way they were dominating at the time, I feel as though they could’ve done even more.
3. I think The Last Dance inspires everybody to be the best version of themselves. Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever and he went through struggles and it took him seven years to teach the top of the totem pole. I think it shows that even the best of the best go through struggles and have to find a way through it to attain greatness. The rewards are that much better when you achieve things that way.
If MJ was in front of me right now I would thank him for allowing us to see the insides of his mind. I think we all look up to MJ in some way based on his greatness and many basketball players dream of becoming legendary status like he has. I would tell him I appreciate the way he approached the game. As for me, by watching this documentary it has inspired me to be a better leader. He has motivated me to become better, recommit myself to things I may have been complacent in before. Just overall thank him for his impact on the game of basketball and how he helped make the game a global sport that many people around the world now love and enjoy.
Dave Lighty: “The thrills, joys pains, and heartache that goes into competition, and competing to win was the top prize for him”
1. Yes, it is different. To be a professional player now and to see him locked in during the games and see how he would will his team to wins? It’s amazing. Knowing how hard it is to do that from my own career. He would find a way by any means.
2. I was surprised at how he handled it all. As a kid, I knew he was MJ but not all that came with it. Like… he can’t go to a store alone EVER. He would cause a riot. So for him to deal with the fame and still see the joy he brings to guys who were just working at the gym and him interact with everyone just as a normal person was pretty dope to see. Him joking with media, him gambling with security things like that.
3. For me, it was just an inspiration for you to want to COMPETE. I saw that. That the game of basketball was amazing for him. But the thrills, joys pains, and heartache that goes into COMPETITION and COMPETING to win was the top prize for him. No matter what it was. You take that mindset into anything you do and you’ll have a chance to be great.
Sergio Llull: “After watching The Last Dance, I idolize MJ even more”
1. Michael Jordan has been my idol since I was a kid. That’s why I chose the number #23 for my jersey. I think he’s the best player ever, the number one. And after watching the documentary I idolize him even more. The images and statements that were seen from within are great and showed us how he always put the team on his back, he always wanted the decisive shot and worked as the most to succeed. His stats during his career are simply spectacular.
2. I was greatly impacted by the toughness of the NBA in those days. The Pistons, Lakers, Celtics… were extremely tough teams, very hard to beat. Nowadays, you are immediately called with a foul or an unsportsmanlike foul for much less. I think Michael’s mentality was impressive….the way he searched for any situation to make it personal and motivate himself… I also find amazing how at that time Michael Jordan was so popular without social media around, etc. That fact lets us become more aware of his real magnitude.
3. I think all young people who see this documentary should look at Michael Jordan’s mentality. His working ethic, his competitiveness, the way he made his teammates better…. He teaches you that you have to make a lot of sacrifices to reach the top. He shows how important it is to live the day to day is and also enjoying the road, not just the goal. Leave the past behind and don’t think too much about the future. Stay focused on the present. If I met Michael Jordan, I’d thank him for everything he’s done. He’s inspired a lot of people, not just people who belong to the basketball world.
Jordan Loyd: “It strives you to be better and not make excuses”
1. My impression of Michael Jordan isn’t really different, but I feel like I’ve got to see him in a different light. I learned a lot and can finally understand his mentality better on a more personal level. But I always knew he was that dog competitor and pushed his teammates to the limits. It was just cool to see how he did it.
2. The most shocking or surprising thing was how Dennis Rodman did his own thing no matter the time or situation for the season. And he ALWAYS produced. And only Phil Jackson could have handled that the way he did! Perfect organized chaos.
3. The inspiration this documentary provides for athletes… I believe it is how mentally and physically tough you have to be to win. No matter the cost. He [MJ] endured so much on and off the court and to be able to overcome that is inspiring. Personally, it makes you want to strive to be better and not make excuses because whatever your goal is, it’s possible. If MJ was in front of me I would simply say thank you. Thank you for what you did for so many people not only with basketball but by making the dream seem that much more real for me.
Vanja Marinkovic: “Now I’m even more sure that MJ is the GOAT”
1. Now I think about it even more and I’m even more sure that MJ is the G.O.A.T!! The way he was playing and how big he was off the court! That’s what is making him so special!
2. When he retired for the first time and went to play baseball and Chicago still continued to pay him a full contract. That filled my face with tears of joy, that was hilarious
3. Just thanks! Big thank you! For everything, he did for every basketball guy out there! Icon!
Nemanja Nedovic: “The documentary came at perfect timing for me; It really sparked something new inside of me”
1. It is for sure different. My opinion about Michael Jordan was very good before this documentary but after the documentary, I think people will realize how great he was and how much impact he had on the whole basketball culture. I never got the chance to watch him play live. I was kind of in other sports at that time and also I was 5-6 years old. But I knew who Jordan was, I was watching his highlights, everything about him. But this documentary gave an insider’s story about his life, about the person he was. I was talking to my friends and we all agreed that this might be the best documentary ever.
Kobe was kind of the MJ of my generation and I’m really glad that we got the chance to see how great Michael Jordan was.
2. I was really amazed by the whole documentary. I never blinked when I was watching. My focus for the whole series was at 100%. But everything that Dennis Rodman did was shocking and highly interesting. The way that Phil Jackson handled the whole situation and handled him was really amazing to me. Having a coach like that who understands everyone on the team, who understands everybody’s personality and knows how to get the best out of each and everyone on the team is something special. Coaches who have that capability make great things with teams.
The most shocking and surprising thing was Dennis Rodman just leaving in the Finals to go wrestling and then coming back the next day to practice and everything’s back to normal. And then the next day he’s playing great, he’s making clutch free throws. Everything about Dennis Rodman.
3. Anybody who has anything to do with a basketball was inspired by this documentary and this story. For me personally it came at perfect timing. It couldn’t have been better. It really sparked something new inside of me. I’m 28 years old. I think I have my best basketball left in me. It really came at a perfect time because it really motivated me for this summer to work especially hard on my body and on my skills and to leave some kind of mark at least in European basketball. I’m really glad that this came out before this summer. Because me, personally, I really needed it. What would I tell MJ if he was in front of me? Well, if I was able to say something and if I wasn’t starstruck, that would be probably: You are the GOAT. In my eyes, he’s the GOAT. Just everything about him was special: The way he dressed, the way he acted, the way he carried himself. The way he lived a life outside of basketball and balanced everything perfectly. And then the way he handled the pressure that was constant in his whole career it’s just amazing.
Ioannis Papapetrou: “The inspiration I received from this documentary is incredible”
1. First of all, I was very young when Michael Jordan played. So for sure, my impression of him changed now. I always had the feeling and the thought that he’s the best player to ever play the game but after watching the documentary this belief became stronger. More when it comes to his character than everything else.
2. Many shocking things. The interactions between Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen the organization overall, all the inside information that the documentary gave was very surprising to me. The way Scottie Pippen was playing underpaid for so many years. The way Dennis Rodman’s character was treated by the team and by Phil Jackson was also amazing.
3. There’s a big inspiration. Because when you see someone working like this and dedicating his life to this, you want to follow in his footsteps. You want to be the best yourself. So I think the inspiration I received from this documentary is incredible. It drives me to work even harder and give my best.
If I had MJ in front of me, I think I would tell him how much I admire him, how what he did was an inspiration to all of us and how great he is. Of course, it’s something that everybody would tell him and I would too.
Aleksej Pokusevski: “Watching The Last Dance made me want to do double the pushups than the rest”
1. My impression regarding basketball stuff didn’t change as much as my impression regarding Michael Jordan off the court. That was different.
1. Dennis Rodman and the things he did. That he went to Las Vegas for 48 hours and did what he did. I knew he was crazy but not that he was that crazy. Of course, going for that WWE game during the Finals.
3. What I know is what The Last Dance has done for some players: Trying to implement that winning mentality even in practices or exercises. Work harder. Of course, you either got it or you don’t. But it pushes you to try harder. And the documentary and watching the things a man can do to win, has pushed me to work harder. For example: When I see that someone does 10 pushups, I want to do 20. Lift double the weights. Everything.
Mateusz Ponitka: “It shows how much you have to sacrifice to be a winner”
1. Honestly no. I read a lot of books, stories and watched movies about him and I am not surprised about what kind of personality he was and the drive he had to win. He shows in this series how much you have to sacrifice to be a winner. And that not everybody is ready to be the best when it matters the most.
2. For me personally the most shocking thing was the level of patience from the coach and team regarding Dennis Rodman’s actions. I can’t imagine any player flying to have a wrestling fight in between playoffs final games. For me, this one is unbelievable.
3. I believe MJ can be truly an inspiration for every person in the world. We all have ups and downs in our lives and I think the persistent, winning mentality, and drive to be better players each and every day can affect our approach in our lives. For players, it’s definitely a lesson that every night there can be somebody at the arena who sees you the first time and by giving 100% on the floor you can become an inspiration to him or her. Of course, many other examples can be brought in and everybody can find something for himself in The Last Dance series. If I met MJ right now, I’d shake his hand and tell him that I am thankful for him being a huge inspiration for me. Of course, while crying.
Tyrese Rice: “People who are that great sacrifice everything to win”
1. My impression was the same. People who are that great sacrifice everything to win. MJ just did it on a different level and that’s why he is where he is.
2. I want to say Dennis Rodman but I knew he was a wild dude (laughs). I’m surprised by Scottie Pippen. OK, he made a mistake by not going in that game but to say he would do it again if he could go back surprised me. Even still, he sacrificed his individual ability to win, which was the right thing to do.
3. Hopefully, guys understand what it means to win. Understand the entirety of basketball and not just stats. When you play the right way, everybody gets what they want. If MJ was in front of me I would just tell him Thank You!
KC Rivers: “The main inspiration? What you’re saying is what you’re doing”
1. No. Growing up I head different stories about Michael Jordan. This documentary only sums up and confirmed things I heard as a kid.
2. The most unexpected thing I watched was Dennis Rodman going to Las Vegas. And Jordan and Kerr getting into an altercation. And the pizza story that has changed numerous times.
3. MJ was an inspiration to me growing up being a North Carolina kid. The main inspiration that it showed is that you have to make sure that what you’re saying is what you’re doing. If your words don’t have any actions that follow them, then no one will count on you when it’s time.
Sergio Rodriguez: “We need to understand that sports are a little bit different than real life and you have to do things differently to push your teammates”
1. I knew a lot of information about Michael Jordan but during the documentary, I probably got 95% of new information. It was amazing, I really enjoyed it. My opinion about him is the same: He’s the greatest ever. You can agree or not with the way he handled things but it worked for him. He wanted to win and he did. Sometimes we need to understand that sports are a little bit different than real life and you have to do things differently to push your teammates and create a different atmosphere. I’m sure all his teammates are proud to share a locker room with him. They way they won and every game they played made for an amazing story.
2. The story about Dennis Rodman and the story of Steve Kerr and his father. Those were personal things that I didn’t really know. That was the most surprising. And then all the big shots that MJ made in his career. I had them on my mind but I was young and I wasn’t completely aware of the timing in which he made them. Most of them were in Game 7 or to bounce back in the playoffs. It wasn’t just great shots in the regular season. The documentary shows that: All the big shots are in crucial moments. That’s very important and that’s what has a lot of value.
3. To work hard. Harder. To pursue your goals. There’s going to be a challenge every day but for us that we have to compete as players, we shouldn’t waste time thinking about other things. Just focus on the goal you want to achieve and go get it.
I would probably ask him for some advice. Things about motivation. How to handle situations under pressure. The things he was the best at.
Tornike Shengelia: “He took the word ‘want’ to another level”
1. My first impression of him as a player didn’t change at all… more or less Everyone already knew his competitor mindset. But even like this, it was nice to see everything from a much closer view and to see his perspective on everything.
2. For me, the fact of how exhausted he was before his first retirement was a surprise. I mean I always had a question about why he retired and what did he mean when he said that he had no more motivation. But now seeing everything from his side I understood well…
3. For me, it was inspirational to see how much he wanted to win. Before seeing this you think u want something bad but he took the word “want” on another level!