"The Last Dance" continued on Sunday night and the 10-part documentary continued to captivate the NBA players of today, some of whom fondly remember the 1990s -- when Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls dominated the league -- and some of whom are seeing an up-close look at the greatest NBA player of all time for the first time. Sunday's episodes dove into the 1998 playoffs -- Jordan's last with the Bulls -- while flashing back to Jordan's first retirement, his foray into professional baseball and his return to the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James summed up everyone's thoughts right as Episode 7 began.
It's Time!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 11, 2020
James echoed the thoughts of fans across the world as he looked back on Jordan's surprise retirement announcement in 1993.
Definitely cried this day. 9 years of age. Just Couldn't believe it
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 11, 2020
Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, who wears No. 45 in part because of Jordan's baseball career, was among the many players reflecting on MJ's time in that sport.
Would've loved to watch MJ practice and play baseball!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 11, 2020
People forget "failing" 6-7 out of 10 times is elite in baseball
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) May 11, 2020
MJ's idea of pressing the reset button - just relentlessly pursue being the best at another major sport.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) May 11, 2020
Could Y'all imagine if the best in any sportM just stopped and went and played another professional sport in their prime?! WOW!!!
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 11, 2020
As the documentary shifted to behind-the-scenes footage of Jordan berating teammate Scott Burrell, Kings big man Richaun Holmes was eager to see more.
Been waitin to see this Jordan
— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) May 11, 2020
Man i need another documentary of straight practice footage 😂
— Richaun Holmes (@Rich_Holmes22) May 11, 2020
Jordan didn't just apply that mentality to his teammates. He also was relentless in trying to gain an edge over opponents, something that didn't escape the view of Isaiah Thomas.
Only thing I don't like is how scared everybody was playing against em. Mentally they already lost because they not even thinking they can win. Barkley won MVP and said I'm fine with losing to MJ. If somebody said that these days they would get killed by media and everybody else
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) May 11, 2020
I understand how dope MJ is and how he's the best but mentally damn he killed them and physically it wasn't a chance. All I'm saying is it seemed they quit before the ball went up
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) May 11, 2020
Golden State Warriors rookie Eric Paschall was delighted to see his coach Steve Kerr in a different light. Kerr's infamous practice fight with Jordan was a focal point in Episode 8.
Chill Coach!!! I see the hair was flowing back then! 😂😂😂 @SteveKerr
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) May 11, 2020
Coach Kerr was not having it!!!!!! 😂😂
— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) May 11, 2020
One of the final images of Episode 8 was the iconic moment when Jordan broke down in the locker room after clinching his fourth NBA championship on Father's Day -- a moment that resonated with one of Jordan's current players with the Charlotte Hornets.
#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/UjGrN614hq
— ESPN (@espn) May 11, 2020
Damn that part just gave me chills
— Miles Bridges (@MilesBridges) May 11, 2020