What struck people the most about The Last Dance was arguably the number of times Michael Jordan managed to motivate himself with not much, exploiting a statement, a look or an attitude in an opponent to make him pay a hundredfold. Here are 5 examples of when MJ took it personally.
The 92 Finals, against Clyde Drexler
In 1992, the Bulls played in the NBA Finals against Clyde Drexler’s Portland Trail Blazers. For several months, the media no longer hesitate to compare the level of play of “The Glide” to that of Michael Jordan. This opposition is the perfect opportunity for MJ to make understand to all those who dared to imagine Drexler slowing down his rise to glory that they put their finger in the eye.
“Clyde was a threat, I can’t say the opposite. But it upset me that he was compared to me,” he admits in The Last Dance.
Magic Johnson confirmed in the same documentary that the prospect of putting things right, a few weeks before the Dream Team reunion, clearly animated Michael Jordan.
“I was a consultant for NBC during those Finals. Before Game 1, I was at Michael’s house, playing cards. He said, ‘You know what’s going to happen tomorrow. This guy, I’m going to pay it dearly.
He scored a first basket at 3 points. Then a second. Then a third. Michael didn’t want anyone above him.
Clyde Drexler sends a cleat to Michael Jordan and asks for a little respect
The Bulls will win these Finals 4-2 after a great fight during which Clyde Drexler and his team won game 2 in Chicago. Insufficient to prevent the icon from continuing its path to glory.
Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler were considered two of the best players in the league during the 1992 NBA Finals. MJ wasn’t having that.
Episodes 5 & 6 of #TheLastDance premiere Sunday at 9 PM ET on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/sUnUiVl67Y
– ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2020
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