The Last Dance Recap: Michael is the GOAT

1. Michael is the GOAT

The definition of great is to be considerably above normal or above average. In other words, not barely better than, but better than by a mile. If there’s one thing “The Last Dance” proved it’s that Michael Jordan, by definition, is the greatest.

Let’s say that Michael Jordan became the greatest player in Basketball in 1988. That year of course he won his first MVP, a scoring title, and Defensive Player of the Year. For the next 10 years, with the exception of the baseball years of 93-95, Michael was the best player in the league. The next best player was who? 

Magic? Hovered around 21-22 ppg and 12 assists, which is great, even won an MVP in 1989 and 1990, but didn’t win a title after that 88’ season. 

Bird? He retired in 1992 and didn’t average over 25 ppg after the 1988 season. 

Charles Barkley? Good ole Chuck won an MVP in 1993, but Shaq reminds us every day he’s ringless. 

Hakeem Olajuwon? Won rings, during the hiatus, but never made it back to the finals.

Karl Malone, great player, MVP but no rings. 

The definition of great is to be considerably above the norm. The gap between Michael Jordan and the next best basketball player in the world was so immense during this time period, that WE WILL NEVER SEE THAT DOMINANCE again. There’s only been one other team that 3-peated and that’s the Lakers from 2000-

2002. Everyone else, failed. The Bulls? Did it twice.

Lakers: lost in ‘08, won in ‘09, ‘10, and lost in the semis in ‘11.

Heat: lost in ‘11, won in ‘12, ‘13, and lost to the Spurs in ‘14.

Warriors: won in 15, lost in 16, won in 17, 18, bodies broke down in ‘19 and 2020.

There are a lot of factors that go into that, but there are two that stick out to me: 

Weak guard play in the 90s and the immense amount of talent that is in the NBA today. 

After Magic retired, who was the next best guard in the NBA? John Stockton? Reggie Miller? Gary Payton? Clyde Drexler? I mean honestly, who really was in the way of Michael Jordan? The league’s stars were big men. The best 5 players in the league were (Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, and Dylan) Michael, Charles, Olajuwon, Shaq and Karl Malone. 4 forwards and one guard. The next best guard was Clyde Drexler and you saw what happened then. 

Let’s look at who guarded Michael in the Finals. 
91’ Byron Scott - Cheese on the board 
92’ Clyde Drexler - Cheese on the board 
93’ Dan Marjele - Yeeze on the board
96’ Hershey Hawkins, Gary Payton - Jordan laughed at that.

97’ Byron Russell - Jordan laughed at.

98’ Byron Russell - He’s still laughing. 

Jordan was the inspiration of the NBA of the 2000s that saw an emergence of fantastic scoring wings - Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce (all who would give MJ buckets) - and sprinkled dominance of post players - Shaq, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki. The 2010s brought us atheltic scoring point guards like Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and John Wall. 

From 2000-2002 Shaq was the best player; Duncan from 03-07, Kobe 08-09, and 2010-18 LeBron James. Sprinkle in the names Kevin Durant, James Harden, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and the league is at its richest in talent.

Without, Jordan there is no Mamba.

Still not with me? Ok who’s the best player in the NBA today? Some will say Giannis, Kawhi, KD, while I still say LeBron. Ask that question sometime between 1988-1998 and you’ll get one name. Michael Jordan. 

LeBron will never catch Michael. No one will. The connotation surrounded around Jordan’s unforeseen wave of charisma, athleticism, and talent has elevated Michael to non-human status. He’s become an idol. Not an “American Idol,” but an Old Testament Idol. Only one other man has achieved this level of global pandemonium and that’s Michael Jackson.  So while players will come along and surpass his skill set, like a Kobe, LeBron, KD, they will never be able to live up to the greatness and Hollywood Storyline Career of Michael Jordan. I mean the man had his jersey retired by a team he never played for. Who else can expect that type of respect?