'The Last Dance' Episode 2 Review: Scott Pippen, the underrated Robin to Michael Jordan's Batman
If Episode 2 had a title, it would have probably read 'Explode' because that was what Scott Pippen did. The second chapter of 'The Last Dance' plants the focus on Scott Pippen righteously called the underrated Robin to Jordan's Batman. If Jordan was fire, Pippen was ice. The No.33 jersey man was the best small forward Jordan could have by his side as the duo practically snatched the game from their opponents. What the episode does establish is Pippen as the complete team man.
Pippen was Number 1 and 2 in most aspects of gameplay but was number six when it comes to payment. And despite this, the underrated lanky player was instrumental in transforming the Bulls into a championship team and in popularizing the NBA around the world during the 1990s.
The episode gives a look at Pippen's childhood, where difficulty was the word of the day, every day. "There were two wheelchairs at home" he recollects. One of his father, and one his brother, Ronnie. And despite this, he began dishing out scintillating performances during his college playing career at the University of Central Arkansas. The draft from Seattle Supersonics to Bulls gets some coverage and so does his intense relationship with general manager Jerry Krause.
While shedding light on Pippen, the episode also throws in some traits of Jordan, the one where he goes to become the voice of the team when Pippen is sidelined by an injury. His absence immediately felt as Bulls lose four games with Jordan missing his key man. Suddenly, the episode switches back to Jordan where his formative years of making a mark against Boston Celtics are showcased. Bulls may have lost the games, but it was Jordan who gave them a fighting chance as he amassed points like a man possessed.
There's also the incident where Jordan broke his foot and he totally lost it when the team management looked at resting him despite the doctors suggesting a 10% chance. He may not be playing anymore, but his grit and determination are writ large on his face when he says: "I said it’s a 10% chance, but it’s a 90 percent chance that I won’t." Jerry Reinsdorf's reasoning didn't work either.
"You’re not understanding the risk-reward ratio,” Reinsdorf said. "If you had a terrible headache, and I gave you a bottle of pills. And nine of the pills will cure you, and one of the pills will kill you, would you take the pill?" and phat came Jordan's response: "‘It depends on how bad the f--king headache is.”
The story then shifts back to Pippen and his problems with Krause. This was a knackered Pippen who'd had enough of being looked at as the underdog to the point he lashes out saying he's done with the Bulls. That ends the episode, but it also shows the first instance of how everything in the team wasn't as shiny as it seemed. For now, it sure shows that Krause was the root of all the growing tensions. Pippen's career was a story to be told and 'The Last Dance' does a commendable job by digging into his past. It was always shown that Pippen was a player of some exuberant talent, but was unfairly compensated.
'The Last Dance' airs Sundays 9 pm ET on ESPN.
