"If they're upset at management, then they should 'Last Dance' it" - NBA analyst on how Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson should serve as inspiration to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
The hottest topic in the NBA over the past few weeks has been the potential trades of Brooklyn Nets superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Durant has already requested to be traded, and Irving could be on his way out if a suitable offer comes along.
However, team owner Joe Tsai could choose to keep both as Durant and Irving are contractually obliged to stay. If they do end up staying, Fox Sports analyst Kevin Wildes has an interesting take on what the superstars can do in Brooklyn.
Here’s what Wildes said on an episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast":
"This would be my offer to them if I was Joe Tsai. I would go and get two Last Dance DVDs, not stream it, you’re on the actual DVDs, you gotta really commit.
"'Guys, what is this movie about?' It’s about a group of guys, namely Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan who are very upset with management.'"
Wildes added:
"But rather than flee, they’d say, 'You know what, let’s print up the binders and write 'The Last Dance' on it.'
"'Now, that theory works if you subscribe to the idea that Kyrie feels disrespected and that’s why he wants out. And as an ancillary downfall of that, KD feels disrespected on Kyrie’s behalf. If they’re upset at management, then they should 'Last Dance' it!"
“Jerry Krause publicly said Phil Jackson can go 82-0 and this is his last season.”
@RichardERoeper on #FollowTheMoney previewing ‘97-’98 Chicago Bulls documentary ‘The Last Dance’.
@MitchMossRadio @PaulyHoward #FollowTheMoney https://t.co/II2EeD3bSB
After Phil Jackson's Chicago Bulls, featuring Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, won back-to-back titles in 1996-1997, they knew the team would be broken up.
Late general manager Jerry Krause wanted no part of Jackson after the 1997-98 season, while Pippen publicly demanded to be traded.
Pippen played only 44 games heading into the Bulls’ quest for a second grand slam due to delayed offseason surgery. It was his way of taking a shot at Krause for trying to trade him and not extending his contract. The seven-time All-Star had one of the worst contracts for a superstar at the time.
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen detested Jerry Krause like no stars have ever hated a general manager. #TheLastDance
Jordan was furious as he didn’t want to play for anyone other than Jackson. He also felt that Pippen was a huge factor in winning another championship.
Jordan could have demanded to be traded and completely torpedoed their title aspirations but he didn't.
Michael Jordan: ‘We knew that winning 6th NBA title with Chicago Bulls was the last dance.”
fadeawayworld.net/2020/04/16/mic… https://t.co/UH3Mu0xO8V
History showed that they completed their second trifecta in one of the most memorable NBA seasons in history. “The Last Dance” came to be because the Chicago Bulls superstars held their end of the bargain.
Durant and Irving are in a similar situation and could potentially make their own history if they stay and lead the the Brooklyn Nets to their first title.
Kevin Durant will need the best version of Kyrie Irving to succeed
If Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant remain in Brooklyn, they will have to do a much better job next season to succeed.
Teams not breaking the bank for Kevin Durant? Here’s why: twitter.com/ftfonfs1/statu…
Bill Simmons, however, isn’t convinced that Irving will change to help Durant:
"I think Kyrie is so much more erratic and unreliable than Pippen, who Steve Kerr said was the greatest teammate he ever had. He got surgery before the season as an FU to the team, but other than that, was pretty reliable for those guys.
"The problem with Kyrie is he’s one of the most unreliable athletes we’ve ever had in team sports."
The Nets *could* just run it back.
Kyrie Irving
Joe Harris
Kevin Durant
Ben Simmons
Nic Claxton
Bench:
Patty Mills
Seth Curry
Royce O’Neale
Cam Thomas
TJ Warren https://t.co/GR4319H0Iy
Whether Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are traded or not, they are arguably the most compelling athletes to keep track of in the offseason. If they stay, they could cap off an incredible story with, ironically enough, Joe Tsai lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy in the end.