ESPN aired Episodes 5 and 6 of “The Last Dance” on Sunday, and the documentary series dove into everything from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant meeting in the 1998 All-Star Game to the birth of Nike’s Air Jordan brand, to the 1992 and 1993 Finals, to stories behind the Dream Team and Jordan’s ascension into the most recognizable athlete in the world.
Players across the league went to Twitter to show their love for Kobe, reminisce about Jordan’s debut signature sneaker and look back at the time when everyone wanted to “Be Like Mike.”
MORE: The iconic sneakers that defined Michael Jordan’s title runs
Episode 5 opened at the 1998 All-Star Game, which was Jordan’s final as a Chicago Bull and Bryant’s first. Watching a young Kobe take on MJ brought back memories of the Hall of Fame Los Angeles Lakers guard.
???? that intro just tore me apart man. Man I wish Kobe was here to see this man. Thank you for sharing that beautiful and special footage Mike! We miss you Bean❤️??! #TheLastDance
— Quinn Cook (@QCook323) May 4, 2020
KOBE WAS MY MJ???
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 4, 2020
PURE GREATNESS ????#TheLastDance #Episode5 pic.twitter.com/RzWZlsVHKx
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) May 4, 2020
We all miss you Kobe ?? pic.twitter.com/7K2IRjExxh
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 4, 2020
Forever linked. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/lray0Gkwob
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 4, 2020
Who could imagine MJ signing with any other company than Nike? It almost happened, as Jordan revealed his first choice for a shoe deal was actually Adidas. Players had trouble imagining the Air Jordan coming from any other manufacturer but the Swoosh.
If MJ would’ve been with Adidas???
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 4, 2020
MJ’s mom 2/2… 1. don’t quit basketball 2. go listen to NIKE #LastDance
— Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) May 4, 2020
I wish Jordan’s was 108$ with tax today!!! ???
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) May 4, 2020
Loved MJ lacing his sneakers to end the ep 5. Don’t know why but it was satisfying ??
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) May 4, 2020
We also get to see what it was really like to “Be Like Mike” in the ’90s, including getting his own space inside the Bulls’ locker room, becoming a worldwide staple in commercials, selling out football arenas and running into the biggest actors of the era.
I just peeped MJ had his own office in the team locker room ??
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 4, 2020
They sold out a football stadium for a basketball game ?? #TheLastDance
— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) May 4, 2020
Phil Jackson kicked Jerry Seinfeld out the locker room. ??
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 4, 2020
Cameras not allowed in those Magic and Michael card games? ?#TheLastDance
— Mo Bamba (@TheRealMoBamba) May 4, 2020
The 1992 NBA Finals saw the famous “Shrug” in Game 1, in which Jordan hit six 3-pointers and scored 35 points in the first half. A postgame image of John Michael Wozniak — a former Bulls security guard who died in January — reenacting the famous pose dominated social media following the episode.
Jordan’s manager and spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy, shared her appreciation via Twitter.
RIP John Michael Wozniak. He passed in January and I’m sure he has a front seat watching from heaven for sure. https://t.co/l31zNcY6BG
— Estee Portnoy (@esteep) May 4, 2020
