The Last Dance: Discussion Guide Part 5 of 5

As much as I have enjoyed watching and rewatching every episode of ESPN's 30 for 30: The Last Dance to create a discussion guide for coaches, athletic directors, fans and those who find spirituality in sport, the final installment, Part 5 of 5 boils down to one singular idea, one claim so meaningful it could serve as the thesis for a paper, a presentation, heck a new series. That insight is the only talking point I would like to offer in response to Episodes 9 and 10.

A number of basketball fans I know and respect have had common reaction to "The Last Dance." They claim that docu-series didn't reveal much they didn't already know. I find that a little hard to believe. Smug too. To me, one of the great attributes of the program is the number and variety of respondents who weigh in. Everyone from Steve Kerr's mom, Ann to Justin Timberlake, players like Gary "The Glove" Payton to the fit as a fiddle Reggie Miller, MJ's kids and #43, himself Barack Obama weigh in.  Surely they offer a new insight or narrative gem. Doesn't that count?! 

Whether or not you learned a lot from "The Last Dance," whether or not you watched one hour or all ten, there is however one singular idea that stands alone as incredibly important. I will be referencing this moment, this scene, this takeaway as long as I teach.

I absolutely love that the director decided not to include this truth until Episode 10. All nine programs before gave evidence for why Michael Jordan is truly one of the greatest and what he did and for this revelation.

Mark Vancil, Author Rare Air said, 

Most people struggle to be present. People go and sit in ashrams for 20 years in India trying to be present. Do yoga, meditate. Try to get here now. 

His words are juxtaposed against an image of Jordan sitting on the team bus, six hours before tip off of the 1998 Finals in Salt Lake City. He is wearing sunglasses, beanie and Beats-like headphones long before they were cool. He is in his own place, bumping to hip hop music created by his friend, the artist.

Vancil adds, 

Most people live in fear because we project the past into the future. Michael is a mystic. He was never anywhere else. 

His gift was not that he could jump high, run fast or shoot a basketball. His  gift was that he was completely present. And that was the separator. 

I heard those words and said to myself, "I want some of that."

You will not find a course on spirituality or its many iterations—mindfulness, meditations and so forth—that suggest doing anything but that: be present. Truly it is a gift. Truly it is a quality that makes human beings great. Truly it is the separator.

The good news about Michael's gift is that it is something anyone can attain. Whereas I'll never fly through the air to dunk or steal a ball on the left side of a great player like Karl Malone, I too can be nowhere but here. Now.

So debate all you want about whether or not The Bulls would have one #7. Argue if they should have gone for it. I get it; we don't want this story to end or maybe we would like another 10 hours of basketball highlights, trash talk, personality quips and coaching insight. I would only look to continue for more evidence of Michael as a mystic. What I received was abundant. I'm grateful, here and now.

Photo Credits
Last Night
Headphones
Sitting Solo

The Last Dance: Discussion Guide Part 4 of 5

The third discussion guide for The Last Dance: Episodes 5 and 6 focused on the humanity of Michael Jordan. Perhaps I should have saved that theme for Episode 7 or 8 or just name this one "redux." Instead, I would like to call this one "break." 

I say that because I am going to take a break from creating the questions. With the absence of major professional sporting events in the United States, every last sports writer, their mother AND their father are writing about "The Last Dance." What they have written, their context and history, knowledge of the players, the league, and leadership is more than substantial. It's infinite, it's unyielding and it's also amazing. As I say often, let's leave it to the pros.  Done.

Before I do that however, I must say  that so far, the most poignant moment of the entire series occurred at the conclusion of Episode 7, when a tearful Jordan explains his character. Jordan’s response is one of the most interesting portions of the film thus far. He says he was just holding his teammates to the same standard he held himself. He adds “Look, I don’t have to do this, I’m only doing it because it is who I am. That’s how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don’t wanna play that way, don’t play that way.” He chokes up in a way that is different than when he talks about his father's death. He brings the conversation and the camera to a close—quickly. His personal timeout—the "break"—followed by tears, prompts more questions then gives answers. Do you agree?

And yet, you know a series is good when the next episode eclipses what you once thought to be the highlight. What is not said and what needs no explanation is captured in the final scene of Episode 8. The very fact the camera was in the locker room to record such a personal, emotional and vulnerable moment—MJ lying on the floor alone, sobbing and clutching a basketball on Father's Day is not something I could have ever predicted. Regardless of whether you like Jordan or not, I don't know how you can be human and not be silenced by this revelation. Kobe may have concluded his Hall of Fame speech with the words "Mamba Out." In this case, no words are necessary. Your thoughts?

The only question I have for you is this one. On the podcast "The Sports Reporters," co-host Mike Lupica admits that although he admires Jordan for what he has accomplished, "the more this goes along, the less I like him." I could not disagree more. In general, I tend to find the good and am sympathetic to most athletes and coaches. Even with the heat coming down from Jordan's teammates, who describe him as a bludgeon, I do—I like him ever more. You have now seen eight hours of footage. What's your take? 

And for what it's worth, I will admit I like Scottie less and less. As written in the Chicago Tribune, "That postseason is remembered for Pippen refusing to leave the bench when Phil Jackson designates Toni Kukoc to take a last-second shot that beats the Knicks."

“We knew it was going to be a stain on his character,” Steve Kerr says of Pippen refusing to go in late against the Knicks, noting “the worst part was that we knew it was not Scottie’s character.”

To which Scottie says "It’s one of those incidents where I wish it never happened. But if I had a chance to do it over again, I probably wouldn‘t change it.” 

I heard what he said and asked myself: Can those two statements BOTH be true? To me, there's a conflict....Your thoughts?

A lot of people wanted more highlights of MJ playing baseball....I guess this is more of a basketball story, folks.

I'm going to sign off and let the hometown writers, take things from here. Phil Rosenthal's pieces each offer their own "best" insight—Best Anecdote, Best Vintage Clip, Best Insult, etc. that can continue the conversation until our shelter-in-place is entirely lifted. 

• ‘The Last Dance’ Episode 7 recap: Michael Jordan retires after his father’s murder, while Scottie Pippen refuses to enter a playoff game
• ‘The Last Dance’ Episode 8 recap: Michael Jordan Finds Any Fuel He Can to Ignite the Chicago Bulls' 2nd 3-Peat

"The Last Dance" comes to a close this coming Sunday, May 17. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to revisit the music and the memories, to learn about complex people and competitors. I am already dreading the fact that it will come to a close....but as our time in quarantine and shelter in place does too, we have new talking points, better perspective, and a deeper appreciation for so much. I hope MJ is one of them....

Photo Credits
Break
Leader
Win
White Sox