Why did a thriving dynasty become a lame-duck season?
This is the true story of how the 1998 Chicago Bulls became #TheLastDance.
A thread.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_sf3PXkAEWXlN.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_unB8XQAcQZrP.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_uqxBWkAIxqKM.jpg)
How in the world did this dominant team back itself into a one-last-run season?
It starts June 15, 1997, at Grant Park and the rally for the team's 5th championship in seven years, with Jordan, Rodman and Jackson unsigned.
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_x1Q9XgAkvIto.jpg)
That's what the Bulls faced after the 1997 championship.
#TheLastDance
From the 1992 Olympics:
For Jordan, the greatest harm was Reinsdorf dragging his feet in 1996 when re-signing MJ, nearly driving Jordan to the Knicks, and then saying, according to Jordan, “Somewhere down the road, I know I’m gonna regret this.”
In his press conference after the ‘97 Finals, he was unequivocal in his anger and frustration with ownership and management:
blogabull.com/2017/3/24/1504…
blogabull.com/2017/3/24/1504…
The only man who, to me anyway, remains a mystery in all this was Jerry Reinsdorf.
#TheLastDance
readjack.substack.com/p/the-central-…
Jordan didn’t seem sure, though he did acknowledge the steadily increasing cost:
#TheLastDance
#TheLastDance
readjack.substack.com/p/the-central-…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_61UgXkAU8LdZ.jpg)
My upcoming book!
"6 Rings" is coming in 2021. To get the inside scoop on interviews and research, subscribe to my newsletter: readjack.substack.com
espn.com/magazine/vol1n…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_8VUoXkAIw0dt.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_8XNpX0AAGaKR.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_8X7TWAAcUfBU.png)
Jordan wrote a poem. As @SteveKerr recounted to @lazenby:
readjack.substack.com/p/6-things-i-w…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_9pHHX0AYqaGX.jpg)
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EV_9qRaXYAo_VZK.jpg)
chicagomag.com/city-life/June…
A last dance.
A wonderful waltz.
#TheLastDance
readjack.substack.com/archive
The gory details:
His failed Year 2000 rebuild, in which Duncan, Hill, McGrady and Eddie Jones all slipped through his fingers:
barberschairdigital.com/blog-posts/201…
Let’s all buckle up for #TheLastDance. We’re about to see history like we’ve never seen it before.