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The "The Last Dance" Thread

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by PCLoadLetter, Apr 19, 2020.

Page 35 of 55
  1. PCLoadLetter

    PCLoadLetter Well-Known Member

    That would make sense. And really there's no particular reason to do it other than just trying to collect the full set. There's nothing from that run that makes you think "I really need Luc Longley's perspective on this."
     
    PCLoadLetter, May 18, 2020
    #409
  2. Tweener

    Tweener Well-Known Member

    For all of Jordan’s bitching about Isiah not shaking his hand back in the day, he should have mad respect for Karl Malone for tracking him down to congratulate him on the Bulls’ team bus after they won in ‘98.
     
    Tweener, May 18, 2020
    #410
    OscarMadison and Dog8Cats like this.
  3. qtlaw

    qtlaw Well-Known Member

    It’s not like Longley was some stiff. He did some good stuff for those teams.
     
    qtlaw, May 18, 2020
    #411
  4. PCLoadLetter

    PCLoadLetter Well-Known Member

    Yeah, he was a perfectly decent player and certainly a contributor to those teams. I just can't think of anything Longley would have to say that would be worth flying halfway around the world.
     
    PCLoadLetter, May 18, 2020
    #412
  5. HappyCurmudgeon

    HappyCurmudgeon Well-Known Member

    Wonder what Larry whispered in his ear to trigger that response. They seem to enjoy giving each other shit.
     
    HappyCurmudgeon, May 18, 2020
    #413
    Iron_chet likes this.
  6. Webster

    Webster Well-Known Member

    Take it with a grain of salt, but Ehlo said that Harper’s story of asking to guard Jordan on that last play never happened.
     
    Webster, May 18, 2020
    #414
  7. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    I have no idea what happened during that time out, so maybe Harper did say it.

    And Harper should have been the guy on Jordan instead of Ehlo.

    But the way it is being painted now, you'd think that Ron Harper was a better defender than he actually was.

    FWIW, the guy who played Jordan the best was easily Joe Dumars. Gary Payton wasn't bad either, but he wasn't matched up on Jordan a lot of the time and aside from that finals, they played each other only twice a year. I thought it was telling when Jordan did that exaggerated laugh about Payton when he was shown Payton's interview. It struck me as insecurity, and that he knew that Payton played him tough and wore him out. Gerald Wilkins was the "Jordan stopper," but that was always pretty funny, because Jordan torched him. Ron Harper? He was a good player, but I don't see how anyone can act like there was such a big difference between him and Craig Ehlo that it would have likely led to a different outcome.

    One other thing. Jordan became teammates with Harper, and friends, which I suspect is contributing to how he is painting Harper now.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2020
    The Big Ragu, May 18, 2020
    #415
    Webster likes this.
  8. Webster

    Webster Well-Known Member

    I think that Jordan definitely is propping Harper up now because they were teammates.

    As a Knicks fan, that was always the fatal flaw of their team — great big man defense but no one nearly good enough to even trouble Michael. I love John Starks, but he no taller than 6’2” and Jordan knew he could just rise over him at will.
     
    Webster, May 18, 2020
    #416
  9. BitterYoungMatador2

    BitterYoungMatador2 Well-Known Member

    Jordan averaged 31 points in the first three games of the '96 Finals against Seattle. That total dropped to 23 in the last three games. Still a good output, but there was a drop nonetheless.
     
    BitterYoungMatador2, May 18, 2020
    #417
  10. Scout

    Scout Well-Known Member

    Maybe the best defenders Jordan ever faced was Rodman and Pippen.
     
    Scout, May 18, 2020
    #418
  11. Scout

    Scout Well-Known Member

    So who is Karen Pacerfan?
     
    Scout, May 18, 2020
    #419
    Jerry-atric likes this.
  12. sgreenwell

    sgreenwell Well-Known Member

    I suspect that the "best defender" against Jordan is similar to the "best defender" against LeBron or Kobe. Which is, if you're planning on using just one guy, you're fucked. You rotate Iggy, Thompson, Shaun Livingston; or James Posey, Rondo, Paul Pierce; etc. Looking at it the other way, it was clearly part of the Bulls' success that they had aggressive, physical defenders - athletic guys, not just Charles Oakley enforcer types. Jordan, Pippen, Harper and Rodman were the headliners, but even the bench guys would get in there and scrap, seemingly.
     
    sgreenwell, May 18, 2020
    #420
    Tweener likes this.
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