Prelude to the Dance: Michael Jordan validates greatness with second title and becomes global icon
If you have been watching ESPN’s 30 for 30 series titled “The Last Dance”, you have been paying attention to the evolution of Michael Jordan and the Bulls of the 1990s. Sunday’s episode will focus on Michael Jordan’s second title and subsequent Olympic run with the “Dream Team”.
Here’s what to look for this coming Sunday.
MJ in the 1992 NBA Finals
Yes, Jordan and the Bulls won their first title in 1991 but 1992’s title win was more of a validation for not only Chicago as a franchise, but it also cemented Jordan’s legendary status in the league. Even though the series went six games, the most iconic moment in the series came in Game 1 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers.
Simply put, Michael could not miss and he gave us one of the greatest shooting displays in history scoring 39 points in the victory. The moment we all remember Jordan knocking down a three pointer, hitting a shrug towards Magic Johnson who was doing commentary for NBC during the game. The “Summer of Michael” would continue by moving its tour from Chicago to Barcelona in the 1992 Olympic Games.
Jordan and Pippen conquer the world..and Kukoc
There are two particular years in basketball prior to the Dream Team that is not discussed among fans of team USA Basketball, 1972 and 1988. Those two years saw the Americans not collect gold and especially 1988 is an important year because it is the last year that Team USA did not have professional players per FIBA rules. In 1989, that ruling changed and helped shape the next era for American hoops dominance.
As Jordan and the squad embarked on their Barcelona quest, rivalries were tested and the passing of the collective torch from the Magic-Bird era was passed in what seemed like seconds prior to that summer’s games. There was also another aspect and important link to the Bulls 97-98 team, Toni Kukoc. Drafted in 1990 by the Bulls, the Croatian forward was a legend in the Euro League and had been highly touted by Bulls GM Jerry Krause.
Knowing what we know now about the Krause vs. Jordan and Pippen relationship, it makes sense that both Jordan and Pippen made it a mission to lock Kukoc up.
Jordan, the global icon
Maybe since Babe Ruth had an athlete in his prime been as commercially pushed as Michael Jordan was in 1992-1993. He already had Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, and Wheaties. However, as we will probably see on Sunday’s episode of “The Last Dance” , Jordan in particular was one of the most important athletes at those summer games.
From billboards to posters and commercials in game. Jordan’s brand, along with the NBA’s global reach had just begun its climb to the summit. By the start of the 1992-93 campaign, everybody wanted to “Be Like Mike”.
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM.
