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  4. 40 things we learned from the first two episodes of 'The Last Dance,' ESPN's Michael Jordan documentary series that's captivating the sports world

40 things we learned from the first two episodes of 'The Last Dance,' ESPN's Michael Jordan documentary series that's captivating the sports world

40 things we learned from the first two episodes of 'The Last Dance,' ESPN's Michael Jordan documentary series that's captivating the sports world
ReutersRead the original article on Insider

There's more to come with each episode that airs, so stick with Insider for the latest updates from "The Last Dance" and revelations on Jordan's legacy.

There
ESPN Films/Netflix/Mandalay Sports Media/NBA Entertainment

But even the youngest viewers recognized President Barack Obama — who was dubbed a "Former Chicago Resident" — when he reflected on the Bulls' legacy in Chicago.

But even the youngest viewers recognized President Barack Obama — who was dubbed a "Former Chicago Resident" — when he reflected on the Bulls
ESPN

The second episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger for those who are too young to remember the 1997-98 season, with Pippen returning from injury and immediately demanding a trade.

The second episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger for those who are too young to remember the 1997-98 season, with Pippen returning from injury and immediately demanding a trade.
Jim Bourg/Reuters

Pippen openly disrespected Krause, berating him on the bus and in front of his teammates.

Pippen openly disrespected Krause, berating him on the bus and in front of his teammates.
Reuters

He resented the fact that Krause and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf refused to renegotiate despite his value to the team, and so he chose to have surgery at the start of the season.

He resented the fact that Krause and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf refused to renegotiate despite his value to the team, and so he chose to have surgery at the start of the season.
Sue Ogrocki/Reuters

By the time the 1997-98 season rolled around, Pippen was the 122nd highest-paid player in the NBA despite arguably being the second-best player in the entire league.

By the time the 1997-98 season rolled around, Pippen was the 122nd highest-paid player in the NBA despite arguably being the second-best player in the entire league.
Reuters

Four years later, he agreed to a 7-year, $18 million contract — a historically bad deal that he would grow to regret immensely.

Four years later, he agreed to a 7-year, $18 million contract — a historically bad deal that he would grow to regret immensely.
Reuters

So once he landed with the Bulls in 1987, he was eager to strike a deal with the team to provide some security from his family.

So once he landed with the Bulls in 1987, he was eager to strike a deal with the team to provide some security from his family.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Pippen — the youngest of 12 children and the beneficiary of a late growth spurt — transitioned from the University of Central Arkansas team equipment manager to NBA lottery pick in the span of just a few years.

Pippen — the youngest of 12 children and the beneficiary of a late growth spurt — transitioned from the University of Central Arkansas team equipment manager to NBA lottery pick in the span of just a few years.
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Tensions were also high between Scottie Pippen and the front office.

Tensions were also high between Scottie Pippen and the front office.
Sue Ogrocki/Reuters

The players largely sided with Jackson, ruthlessly making fun of Krause behind his back and to his face. During the documentary, Jordan asked Krause whether he was taking "short pills or diet pills" in front of the entire team.

The players largely sided with Jackson, ruthlessly making fun of Krause behind his back and to his face. During the documentary, Jordan asked Krause whether he was taking "short pills or diet pills" in front of the entire team.
AP Photo/Mark Elias, File

Krause forced the organization to announce that it would be Jackson's final year with the franchise, prompting the coach to dub the season "The Last Dance."

Krause forced the organization to announce that it would be Jackson
Michael S. Green/AP Photo

Chicago GM Jerry Krause was desperate to receive credit for the Bulls' success, and it is said that he resented the attention the players and coach Phil Jackson garnered.

Chicago GM Jerry Krause was desperate to receive credit for the Bulls
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

While the docuseries flashed back to Jordan's meteoric rise, it also honed in on the strife plaguing the Bulls from the start of the 1997-98 season.

While the docuseries flashed back to Jordan
Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Jordan went on to score a record-breaking 63 points, prompting disbelief from Bird: "That wasn't Michael Jordan. That was God disguised as Michael Jordan."

Jordan went on to score a record-breaking 63 points, prompting disbelief from Bird: "That wasn
Bettmann / Getty Images

The day before Game 2, he went golfing with Ainge. After he took a beating on the golf course, Jordan told Ainge: "tell your boy" — Dennis Johnson — "I got something for him tomorrow."

The day before Game 2, he went golfing with Ainge. After he took a beating on the golf course, Jordan told Ainge: "tell your boy" — Dennis Johnson — "I got something for him tomorrow."
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Even though Jordan dropped 49 points in Game 1, his Bulls were clearly outmatched and lost by 19.

Even though Jordan dropped 49 points in Game 1, his Bulls were clearly outmatched and lost by 19.
AP Photo/Paul R. Benoit

They faced a star-studded Boston Celtics squad — featuring Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and more — in the first round.

They faced a star-studded Boston Celtics squad — featuring Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, and more — in the first round.
AP Photo/F. Carter Smith

Even with limited time on the floor, Jordan led the Bulls back to the playoffs.

Even with limited time on the floor, Jordan led the Bulls back to the playoffs.
Jeff Christensen/Reuters

Reluctantly, Jordan compromised and agreed to play just seven minutes per half.

Reluctantly, Jordan compromised and agreed to play just seven minutes per half.
Beth A. Keiser/AP Images

But the front office was reluctant to put the franchise's star at risk. When a doctor estimated Jordan had a 10% chance of ending his career if he played again too soon, the GOAT gave a classic answer about how far he would go to play through the injury.

But the front office was reluctant to put the franchise
Michael Jordan      AP Images

His Chicago squad hadn't fared too well without its young star, so the ever-competitive Jordan was eager to get back to work and lead the Bulls to the playoffs.

His Chicago squad hadn
Alan Mothner/AP Images

While there, he secretly played pickup behind the Bulls' staffs' backs because he couldn't stand to stay off the hardwood.

While there, he secretly played pickup behind the Bulls
AP Photo/Charles Bennett

But early the following season, he broke his foot and returned to Chapel Hill to rehab.

But early the following season, he broke his foot and returned to Chapel Hill to rehab.
AP Photo/Fred Jewell

Even though the Bulls "weren't very good previous to Michael Jordan," according to Thorn, His Airness led them to the playoffs that first season.

Even though the Bulls "weren
Reuters

But he didn't exactly endear himself to his new teammates. While they partied with lots of drugs and women, Jordan spent time in relative isolation to perfect his craft.

But he didn
JOHN SWART / AP

It didn't take long for Jordan to make his mark with the Bulls, and he went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985.

It didn
Tim Boyle/AP Images

Jordan averaged 17.1 points per game on a squad full of stars, prompting Team USA coach Bobby Knight to call him "the best player I've seen."

Jordan averaged 17.1 points per game on a squad full of stars, prompting Team USA coach Bobby Knight to call him "the best player I
AP Photo/Lennox McLendon

He went to the Chicago Bulls with the third pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, but "Michael became a star" during the Olympics that summer, according to Bulls GM Rod Star. "We were lucky the draft was before the Olympics."

He went to the Chicago Bulls with the third pick of the 1984 NBA Draft, but "Michael became a star" during the Olympics that summer, according to Bulls GM Rod Star. "We were lucky the draft was before the Olympics."
AP Photo/Charles Knoblock

Even though Jordan enjoyed a spectacular career at UNC, there were doubts as to whether he could carry an NBA team at just 6-foot-6.

Even though Jordan enjoyed a spectacular career at UNC, there were doubts as to whether he could carry an NBA team at just 6-foot-6.
Focus on Sport via Getty Images

He nearly stayed in North Carolina for his senior season, but Jordan said legendary Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith urged him to go pro.

He nearly stayed in North Carolina for his senior season, but Jordan said legendary Tar Heels head coach Dean Smith urged him to go pro.
AP Photos

He made an immediate impact in Chapel Hill, where he hit a game-winning shot in the Tar Heels' national championship contest against Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas during his freshman season.

He made an immediate impact in Chapel Hill, where he hit a game-winning shot in the Tar Heels
AP Photo/Bob Jordan

Jordan attended a basketball camp at the University of North Carolina when he was in high school, and then-assistant coach Roy Williams was impressed: "When he got here we thought he was pretty good. When he left here five days later, we thought he was the best player in America."

Jordan attended a basketball camp at the University of North Carolina when he was in high school, and then-assistant coach Roy Williams was impressed: "When he got here we thought he was pretty good. When he left here five days later, we thought he was the best player in America."
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Jordan also enjoyed a huge growth spurt before his junior season and, with the extra inches, quickly established himself as a standout player.

Jordan also enjoyed a huge growth spurt before his junior season and, with the extra inches, quickly established himself as a standout player.
Wayne Upchurch/Wilmington StarNews via USA TODAY NETWORK

But instead, he dug deeper and used it as motivation. Like his father, James, said, "If you want to bring out the best in Michael, tell him he can't do it."

But instead, he dug deeper and used it as motivation. Like his father, James, said, "If you want to bring out the best in Michael, tell him he can
Wayne Upchurch/Wilmington StarNews via USA TODAY NETWORK

So when he didn't make his high school's varsity team as a sophomore, he briefly considered quitting basketball altogether.

So when he didn
Bettmann / Getty Images

Jordan agreed, admitting "I don't think I would be here without my brother. I always felt like I was fighting Larry for my father's attention."

Jordan agreed, admitting "I don
Wayne Upchurch/Wilmington StarNews via USA TODAY NETWORK

During night one of "The Last Dance," Jordan's brother, Larry, said, "If you beat me, back then, we had to fight."

During night one of "The Last Dance," Jordan
Tom Berg/WireImage/Getty Images

Jordan has been intensely competitive since he was a kid, and a lot of that drive stemmed from his family.

Jordan has been intensely competitive since he was a kid, and a lot of that drive stemmed from his family.
Wilmington StarNews File Photo via USA TODAY NETWORK

The lead-up to Michael Jordan's storied NBA career wasn't quite as straightforward as many might've suspected.

The lead-up to Michael Jordan
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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