'The Last Dance' Episode 6 Review: Michael Jordan sets the record straight on gambling accusations
Spoilers for 'The Last Dance' Episode 6
The episode asks one question right off the bat. Who wouldn't want to be Michael Jordan?
To be mobbed and worshipped by hordes of fans was just one part of being a successful personality. There is that commitment to brands, the shoots, the fan meet-and-greets and then there's also the pressure of getting back on the court and deliver consistently. It isn't easy being in Jordan's Air Jordans. In one of the archival footage, Jordan talks about the fame being good at the beginning.
"But now that you’re on a pedestal, it’s not just the positive talk you’re hearing. You hear some people take some shots at you. That changes the whole idea of being out there for people to see you. I’m at that stage of my career and my life that I’d rather get behind closed doors than be out there in the spotlight taking shots," he says.
It didn't help that Sam Smith, the renowned NBA writer, delved into analyzing Jordan's style of leadership in his book, 'The Jordan Rules.' Add to this his love for gambling during card and golf games that had critics putting in their two cents worth. The media literally hounded him for a quote to the point his father, James Jordan, had to step in. "He has given the best of him," his father told journalists. "He has sacrificed to try to satisfy everybody. After doing all of that, people still find a way of knocking him. He’s saying, ‘Damn, how much is enough?’"
A rough scrimmage series with the New York Knicks followed and finally a spent Jordan addressed the allegations of gambling with journalist Ahmad Rashad before the finals.
“It’s a hobby,” he said. “If I had a problem, I would be starving, hawking this watch and my championship rings, selling my house. My wife would have left me, or my kids would be starving. I do not have a problem. I enjoy gambling. The media has taken it far greater than it is. Soon, whenever I walk away from this game, it’s going to be the only bad thing people say about Michael Jordan.”
There's enough focus on Charles Barkley who had been declared MVP ahead of Jordan. When the Phoenix Suns took on the Bull and won Game 3 in triple overtime, Jordan hit back with a mammoth 55 points to seal the deal for his team, not to mention, sweet revenge on Barkley.
"I played as well as I could play, and Michael just outplayed me,” Barkley said of a Game 2 loss in which he notched up 42 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists.
“That was probably the first time in my life that I felt like there was a better basketball player than me," he admitted.
Episode 6 was proof enough that Jordan wanted to be the best. It fueled him to beat the best and walk away smiling. And for all the hits he took off the court, he was still indestructible each time the Bulls played.
With four episodes remaining, 'The Last Dance' has given a detailed look at Jordan's psyche. One of the most talked-about players in the Bulls' win over the Suns was Point Guard, John Paxson. The docuseries relived that epic moment when Paxson was the game-winner in game 6 of the NBA finals against the Suns. The Bulls were trailing 96-98 to the Suns and the final seconds saw the ball being passed on to Paxson who slammed in a basket to give the Bulls the lead and the win.
At this stage, it's almost saddening to see the episode end. 'The Last Dance' firmly cements the docuseries is more than his exploits on the court. There's so much more to be told of Jordan the person.
'The Last Dance' airs Sundays 9 pm ET on ESPN.