'The Last Dance' Episode 9: Bryon Russell once ticked off MJ and fans say he 'wrote a check he couldn't cash'

Apparently, it all started when Jordan had retired from basketball and was trying his hand at baseball
UPDATED MAY 18, 2020
Michael Jordan and Bryon Russell (Getty Images)
Michael Jordan and Bryon Russell (Getty Images)

ESPN's 'The Last Dance' has revealed a number of things from the life of NBA legend Michael Jordan including some of the moments that motivated him to become the star he is today. And nine times out of 10, it's got something to do with a rival player spiting him.

Case in point: Jordan's beef with Bryon Russell. Apparently, it all started when Jordan had retired from basketball and was trying his hand at baseball. Russell met Jordan and told him that he could have guarded Jordan if he was still playing. So when MJ returned to basketball, he made sure to prove Russell wrong with a stellar game-winning shot that is still remembered to this day.

Fans are pretty much laughing their heads off at how Russell wrote his own sentence with one fan tweeting, "Bryon Russell talked his way into those game winning shots running his mouth smh #lastdance." Another fan declared, "This Bryon Russell story is more proof that Jordan is The Shredder on the rooftop vs the Turtles, bruh #Lastdance." Yet another fan chimed in writing, "Bryon Russell wrote a check he couldn’t cash #LastDance." Another fan joined in declaring, "Bryon Russell earned the right to get cooked!!!!! This s**t is crazy, lol got himself flamed for being Joe! #Lastdance."

In the end, it all came down to Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz when Jordan made a game-winning shot over Russell, leading to some fans accusing Jordan of pushing Russell off even though the referees did not call it a foul. Despite the rivalry, it does appear Jordan and Russell may still have been on friendly terms with the latter eventually saying, "Whether he pushed off or not, he was making that shot."

"We see the final shot ~ Michael Jordan game winner on Bryon Russell. What we didn’t know is the back story that put him on Jordan’s list," one fan wrote on Twitter. Another fan said, "I really hope they interview Bryon Russell so he can explain why he felt compelled to trash talk Jordan. #LastDance."

'The Last Dance' airs Sundays 9 pm ET on ESPN.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Rhea Seehorn explains what Carol’s choice means and how it changes the story moving forward to Season 2
1 hour ago
Netflix has secured a new MGM deal to stream all 10 seasons of 'Stargate SG-1', bringing the iconic sci-fi series back into orbit
6 hours ago
In the pilot episode of 'Pluribus', astronomers detect a mysterious radio signal originating roughly 600 light-years away
7 hours ago
Morgan's instincts push her closer to the truth as the Rembrandt theft and Roman's disappearance collide when 'High Potential' returns
8 hours ago
Apple TV+’s ‘Pluribus’ could follow ‘Severance’ with a long, painful gap between seasons
8 hours ago
The 'Pluribus' finale leaves Carol facing an impossible choice, setting up a darker, riskier fight for humanity in season 2
9 hours ago
'Made in Korea' cast dives into the rivalries and power plays fueling Disney+ and Hulu's new crime thriller
9 hours ago
Clifton Davis performed 'Never Can Say Goodbye,' the iconic 1971 Jackson 5 hit he originally wrote, on 'Beyond the Gates'
11 hours ago
The chilling Broadway play may have already revealed the truth behind Vecna and the real villain waiting in the 'Stranger Things' finale
12 hours ago
With a holiday-themed stretch of episodes airing from December 22, all eyes are now on which characters would remain in 'Beyond the Gates'
12 hours ago