The 10-part documentary series featuring Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls called “The Last Dance” aired episodes 3 and 4 on Sunday. During a time with not many sporting events to watch, this series has caught the attention of sports fans across the country.
Episodes 1 and 2 were mostly highlighting Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. These last two episodes were more focused on coach Phil Jackson and Dennis Rodman.
Phil Jackson
Jackson had an interesting run to becoming the head coach of the Chicago Bulls. He played in the NBA with the New York Knicks and started coaching soon after that. But when he started coaching, it wasn’t at the highest level.
He started coaching in the CBA for the Albany Patroons. This is where he earned his first championship as a head coach.
Jackson went on to start coaching basketball in Puerto Rico. From what Jackson said, Puerto Rico had a harsh basketball league. These towns had a hatred for each other, and it showed on the court. He even discussed a time where a mayor of a town shot an official in the leg. He must’ve not liked the call.
Jerry Krause eventually decided to bring Jackson on as an assistant coach under Doug Collins. At that time, he met Tex Winter, who was the one that taught him the triangle offense. Krause eventually decided to part ways with Collins to go with Jackson as the head coach of the Bulls.
Jordan had to get used to the idea of this new offense. Collins was used to giving the ball to Jordan to dominate the game. Jackson’s offense was different. It would require Jordan to trust his teammates. In the end, that’s exactly what he did.
Dennis Rodman
Even people who didn’t get to watch Rodman play know a little about him. He’s been in the spotlight for various things, including being friends with Kim Jong Un.
The documentary goes on to tell about his time with the “Bad Boys” as a part of the Detroit Pistons and his road to landing in Chicago. Many GMs thought he was too crazy to touch, but Krause was finally convinced that Jackson, Jordan, and Pippen could keep him in line.
By keeping him in line, they also gave him a little room to be himself. At one point, when Pippen returned to the Bulls, Rodman asked for a vacation. He wanted to go to Vegas to 48 hours to get away for a while. But it took Jordan going to his room to get him to return.
They understood that getting the best out of Rodman meant letting him be himself. And that was very different from most. He was the tough guy, defensive stud, and explosive rebounder for the Bulls. As long as he came to work and did his job, Jackson and Jordan weren’t the types to give him a hard time about his personal life.
