Netflix has released the last two episodes of The Last Dance which tells the continuation and the end of the saga of Michael Jordan's Bulls, with the NBA finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz of the duo Malone / Stockton in 1998. Those 110 minutes look back at key moments from that year's playoffs: the Flu Game, the rivalry with the Indiana Paces, Dennis Rodman's runaway, Scottie Pippen's injury in the final game of the season, and of course, The Last Shot.
Episode IX: Bird and Steve Kerr's band make the Jazz dance
One of the singular characteristics of this generation of the Chicago Bulls is that they have faced (and defeated) two different generations of NBA stars. At these beginnings, Michael Jordan crossed swords with Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas or Larry Bird before going on to the generation Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp and Alonzo Mourning who have not been more successful than their predecessors in their quest to dethrone the Bulls. During the '98 season, the Bulls faced the aforementioned Reggie Miller's Indiana Pacers on the field and Larry Bird on the bench as the team's head coach.
Pacers fall by the wayside
On paper, the Pacers have a better team. Young, talented, complementary players who had only one desire, to beat the Bulls and Michael Jordan in particular. So, in theory, everything is fine. Except that the reality on the ground is quite different. At the end of an epic fight where Bird's gang had a few opportunities to bury Chicago, the Bulls managed to get by. And this thanks to Michael Jordan, who comes out of another world series and qualifies his Bulls to a 6th NBA finals in 8 years. In this final, the Bulls meet the Utah Jazz for the second consecutive year. A team led by John Stockton, best passer of all time, and Karl Malone, 2nd scorer in NBA history. He was also recently named Player of the Year. Thus, we have a remake of the 1997 final. But with a strengthened and more experienced Jazz team. There is also a home-court advantage in the event of a decisive game and a tenfold motivation against the Bulls tired by their season and on the verge of exhaustion.
Steve Kerr, the UFO of basketball
This episode is a very nice appetizer to understand the ins and outs of Jordan's last final. But he also introduces us to a shadow player, who later became a renowned coach, Steve Kerr. Understudy at the point guard position, there was nothing to suggest that this little gringalet would win the trust of Michael Jordan and put his mark on the last two titles won by the Bulls. We discover his story that tragically joins that of Michael Jordan. 
Episode X: The Flu Game and The Last Shot
Here go us. The final episode of The Last Dance was entirely devoted to the 1998 finals.Beyond the matches, they have been the scene of many twists and turns. Until its conclusion in exclamation point. First, there's Scottie Pippen's injury. Hit in the back, he is not at 100% of his capacity and his state of health is only getting worse. This situation forces the Bulls to play Michael Jordan much longer than what is planned to compensate for this absence. The star is on the kneecaps and is struggling to keep up the frantic pace of matches without his assigned lieutenant for 8 years. Then there's the Rodman case. After a final match, Dennis Rodman leaves to make an appearance on a well-known wrestling show in the United States where he goes to play the zouave before partying all night. That night caused him to miss a practice match the next morning and the media seized on the affair to make it the scandal of the finals. Phil Jackson has to deal with a tired team, an injured major player and another who can't help but do anything between games, but who is present on the field.
The Flu Game
The final is balanced: the teams are tied at 2 everywhere (the first to arrive at 4 wins wins the bet). And in Game 5 of these finals, an event, considered the greatest achievement of professional sports, happened. The day before Game 5, which takes place in Salt Lake City, Michael Jordan orders a pizza. Except that a few moments after ingesting said pizza, he ends up with food poisoning. Feries, vomiting, cramps, fatigue… No one expected to see him step on the floor of the Delta Center the next day to play the finals. But Michael Jordan responded in the most beautiful way and watching the images of this match is an indescribable pleasure. It gave the Bulls a decisive advantage, who were able to close the series in the next game on Mormon soil. The Flu Game was born.
The Last Minute, The Last Shot
The Bulls ended up imposing their law and winning Game 6 of the series. And this despite Scottie Pippen's back injury that prevents him from playing a good part of the match and 40 seconds of anthology.The Bulls lead by 3 points, with less than a minute to play. Michael Jordan scored 2 points and stole a precious ball to put the winning basket with 5 seconds left in the game.6 titles won out of 6 finals played and 6 titles of best player of the finals. This may be the key statistic that puts Michael Jordan at the top of his sport, up there. 
Epilogue
This documentary revealed behind the scenes of the Jordan dynasty. That of the shortcomings of a team led by a man who refused to lose and who tyrannized his teammates for a decade.Beyond the public image, the business aspect and the repeated theatrical stunts, the main message remains that of the value of work. Willpower and pure talent are not enough. When we have a dream, we must do everything to make it come true. This involves working hard and focused, making concessions and not necessarily making many friends along the way. This sports icon does not hide it. Yes, he was harsh and often obnoxious with his partners. Yes, he took pleasure in torturing his opponents on the field. But, he never lost sight of his unique goal, that of winning and being the best. This kind of motivation and dedication is rare. It is the characteristic of legends of sport or other fields who have transcended their fate and risen beyond what ordinary people thought possible. The Bulls didn't often start as favorites. Either by lack of experience at the very beginning of the dynasty, or by the fatigue that seized the core of the team in 1997 and 1998. They were up against franchises that were concretely better in terms of freshness, collective and stars on the field. But talent is not worth much if it is not as great as the desire and work that are put at its service to make it sparkle. And no one did it better than Michael Jordan. This last dance is, definitely, the most beautiful we have seen in the history of basketball. 
