Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time although it doesn't take a genius like myself to figure that one out. Sarcasm aside, Jordan and his 1997-98 Chicago Bulls are now the subject of a 10 ESPN docuseries called the "The Last Dance. Last night, the first two episodes of the documentary were aired and fans were extremely excited to see what the series was all about and how it would approach the Bulls' tumultuous championship-winning season.
What was immediately apparent is how the docuseries jumped around from era to era. There were parts that focused on MJ's early days with the Bulls as well as the aforementioned 97-98 season. The most interesting parts were those in which Michael and Scottie Pippen absolutely eviscerate Bulls GM Jerry Krause at every opportunity. We learn that Pippen was underpaid and absolutely despised Krause, while Jordan had a lot of distrust for the people working in management.
As social media tends to do during these types of television events, a lot of memes were made and they were all pretty damn good. There were plenty of opportunities to make jokes and the fans didn't disappoint. Perhaps some of our favorites are those that include LeBron James, who is an innocent bystander in all of this. Regardless, enjoy some of the jokes, below.
Jimmy Butler Sends Basketball Hoops To Heat Teammates
Jimmy Butler doesn’t plan on letting his teammates fall out of basketball shape during the coronavirus pandemic.
Heat Guard Jimmy Butler is sending basketball hoops to his teammates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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With reports that many players around the NBA have been unable to stay in basketball shape during quarantine, Butler is ensuring that isn’t the case for his teammates.
“Two days ago I received a big box, I opened it and it was a basketball hoop from Jimmy,” Goran Dragic said Sunday on Instagram Live. “My first hoop [that I have] is for kids. So basically, it was not a real hoop for me. Yesterday [Saturday] I was putting together all these pieces and finally I made it. I already shot some shots to take advantage of that. Jimmy, thank you brother. I appreciate it.”
The league has still not set a return date for the 2019-20 season. Reports have surfaced that trainers expect players will need at least 30 days of practice before the playoffs could begin.
Friday, Commissioner Adam Silver gave his latest update on the future of the season, saying he’s “not ready to set a date of how long we can wait before we can no longer continue the season. Everything is on the table, including potentially delaying the start of next season. We are not in position to make any decisions [about the status of this season] and it’s unclear when we will be. We still don’t have enough information to make a decision.”
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"The Last Dance:" When & Where To Stream ESPN’s Jordan Documentary
ESPN’s Michael Jordan-focused docuseries, “The Last Dance,” debuts tonight.
ESPN’s highly anticipated 10-part documentary series, “The Last Dance,” is set to debut Sunday, at 9:00 PM.
Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images
Fans will be able to watch the first two episodes of the series live on ESPN and the ESPN App in the U.S. It can also be streamed abroad on Netflix.
The docuseries follows Michael Jordan and the storied season of the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. As ESPN describes, the series “unfurls some revealing details and telling anecdotes of an emotion-charged final season in which history repeated itself, with the drama, the jealousy and the infighting leading to the disintegration of the Bulls all over again.”
Check out the trailer and the full schedule of when “The Last Dance” will air below.
Sunday, April 19
9:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 1
10:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 2
Sunday, April 26
9:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 3
10:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 4
Sunday, May 3
9:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 5
10:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 6
Sunday, May 10
9:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 7
10:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 8
Sunday, May 17
9:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 9
10:00 PM ET | Premiere of “The Last Dance” Episode 10
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Peyton Manning Speaks With Joe Burrow About Rookie Year Expectations
Colts Legend Peyton Manning prepares Joe Burrow for life as a rookie in the NFL.
NFL Legend Peyton Manning has been in contact with presumptive first-overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Joe Burrow. Manning expects hurdles in his rookie year but says that what rookie years are for.
Elsa / Getty Images
“He called me about some of the things that I tried to do as a rookie that maybe he can apply to his NFL career,” Manning told ESPN. “Looks like it’s going to be for the Cincinnati Bengals. What I told him, ‘Look, Joe, if you’re the first pick in the NFL draft, you are going to a team that has earned the first pick in the NFL draft. There are going to be some holes there. There’s a reason the Colts were picking No. 1 that year. There’s a reason the Bengals are picking No. 1 this year.'”
Burrow attended Manning’s training camp last year and the two have been in contact since.
Manning says Burrow will learn from early mistakes and build on them going forward with his career.
“[Then-Colts coach] Jim Mora never took me out,” Manning said. “I learned some things in the fourth quarter of those blowouts about what it took to be an NFL quarterback, and the next year we went from 3-13 to 13-3. That wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t have hung in there and learned the ropes as a rookie, even though we took some bumps and bruises.
“So that’s what I tried to encourage Joe and all the other rookie quarterbacks, that your rookie year is not going to be the same as your senior year in college. But if you learn how fast the defensive backs are, how soon you have to get rid of the ball, understand defenses, you can become a better player and really get it going the year or two after that.”
Manning threw an NFL record 28 interceptions his first year.
The NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on April 23.
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Shaq Says He Won’t Be Able To Watch Kobe Bryant’s Hall Of Fame Induction
Shaquille O’Neal says he won’t be able to watch Kobe Bryant’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, later this year.
NBA legend, and former teammate of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal does not plan on watching Bryant’s Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony later this year.
Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
“I’m actually not going to watch the Hall of Fame ceremony,” O’Neal said on his podcast The Big Podcast with Shaq. “On the scale of sadness from 1 to 10, I’m finally at least at a 2 now. That would bring it back to a 7, 8, 9 and I can’t right now. So I don’t want to see old highlights that I’m already watching now.”
O’Neal won three straight championships partnered with Bryant on the Lakers in the early 2000s. The two together made for one of the best duo’s in NBA history.
“It would be great if his wife gave a speech or his mom or dad give a speech but I’ll see that afterward,” he continued “You know what would be nice? If they had a hologram. A hologram of him sitting next everybody else.”
Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and seven others died tragically in January 2020 during a helicopter crash. Bryant will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, August 29. Other inductees include Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. The ceremony has yet to be canceled for the coronavirus outbreak.
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Top NFL Draft Prospect Makhi Becton Fails Drug Test
Top NFL draft prospect Mekhi Becton had a drug test flagged at the combine.
Former Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton has failed a drug test just days before the NFL draft.
Joe Robbins / Getty Images
The 6-foot-7, 364-pound is expected to be a star talent, ranking seventh on Mel Kiper’s Big Board. Becton posted a 5.10-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
Becton and his team are reportedly emphasizing that this is his first failed test. He has no history of drug use during his time in college. He has been speaking with interested teams throughout Sunday and has more meetings lined-up prior to draft night.
Louisville athletic director Vince Tyra spoke with ESPN about the issue: “I would tell you it would be a surprise if he has a failed test. He’s just been a model student-athlete for us…I’m not worried about him. He is going to have a great career. I don’t think he’s going to be any trouble for any teams.”
“I’m sure he’ll address it properly,” he continued. “He is terrific. He’s a great talent, but I will tell you he’s an awesome person.”
Becton will now be forced to enter the NFL’s intervention program, which will last for 60 days. If he makes it through drug-free, he will return back to normal status.
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Jaguars Considering Leonard Fournette Trade: Report
Leonard Fournette may be on the move according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are exploring options to trade running back Leonard Fournette.
Mark Brown / Getty Images
"Jaguars have had trade discussions with other teams regarding RB Leonard Fournette, league sources tell ESPN. Fournette is due $4.16 million in base salary in 2020. It's a situation that bears watching as this week's draft approaches," Schefter said on Twitter. "Jaguars already scheduled to have 12 picks in this draft, tied with the Patriots and Vikings for second-most in league behind Miami’s 14. And this is before any potential trades for RB Leonard Fournette and DE Yannick Ngakoue."
The Jags, if they choose to, must exercise Fournette's fifth-year option by May 4.
Fournette's 1,152 rushing yards, last year, were a career-high for the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He also caught 76 passes and recorded 1,674 yards from scrimmage, which ranked sixth in the league.
Fournette's strong showing last season helped silence critics. After his first two seasons in the NFL, Fournette's work ethic, commitment, and maturity came under scrutiny from his detractors.
During an appearance on ESPN's First Take, Fournette advocated for the team signing Cam Newton: "Cam went to the Super Bowl. He's a great guy. I've been knowing Cam for a minute now. And like I told some people that talked to me, it's no disrespect to [Gardner Minshew]. I'm just trying to get in the best position as a team as we can [to] win. That's all that was about. Just friendly competition 'cause that brings out the best in people."
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Adam Silver Provides Latest Update On NBA Season’s Future
Adam Silver’s latest update on the future of the 2019-20 NBA season is still vague.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver provided ESPN with an update on if and when the league may resume activity, Friday. His update is bad news for NBA fans.
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“Based on the reports that we got from varied outside officials, current public health officials … we are not in a position to make any decisions,” Silver said. “And it’s unclear when we will be.”
Silver says he intends to resume the season at some point to avoid a complete cancelation. As for now, the league is monitoring the availability of testing, the number of new infections, and updates on a potential vaccine.
“There is a lot of data that all has to be melded together to help make these decisions,” Silver said. “That is part of the uncertainty. We are not even at the point where we can say if only A, B and C were met, then there is a clear path.
“I think there is still too much uncertainty at this point to say precisely how we move forward. I’ll add that the underlying principle remains the health and well-being of NBA players and everyone involved. We begin with that as paramount.”
Silver also says the number of players who have tested positive for COVID-19 is higher than initial reports; however, he did not expand for privacy reasons.
“We are looking at all those things right now,” Silver said. “I’d say that in terms of bubble-like concepts, many of them have been proposed to us and we’ve only listened. We are not seriously engaged yet in that type of environment because I can’t answer what precisely would we need to see in order to feel that that environment provided the needed health and safety for our players and everyone involved.
“I know it’s frustrating — it is for me and everyone involved that I am not in position to be able to answer the question. … There is still enormous uncertainty around the virus as well. Now there is a lot that is changing quickly and we may be in a very different position some number of weeks from now. But it is why I initially announced at the beginning of April that I felt with confidence we would not be able to make any decisions in the month of April. I should clarify that I didn’t mean to suggest that on May 1 I would be in a position.”
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Von Miller Speaks On Coronavirus Diagnosis: "Shocked" To Test Positive
Von Miller, despite following every precaution, has tested positive for COVID-19. He spoke about the situation, Friday.
Von Miller spoke with ESPN’s NFL Live about his situation after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, earlier this week.
Scott Taetsch / Getty Images
“What keeps me at peace is knowing I did everything I was supposed to do,” Miller said.
The Denver Broncos’ linebacker suffers from asthma and made sure to be extra careful knowing he is at higher risk for COVID-19. The CDC recommends people with moderate to severe asthma take extra precautions, which Miller says he did: “I was here at home. I’ve been here at home for about a month now, and I’ve probably left the house a total of four times. And when I left, I didn’t get out of the car or anything like that.
“I didn’t have any contact. I was just riding with my brother up the street to get some food. I literally took it serious. I wasn’t out and about. It hit me right here in my house.”
Miller got tested after he developed a cough that his inhaler was not fixing.
“It’s very, very serious,” Miller added. “It’s my job to keep my body in tiptop shape, and I feel my body is in tiptop shape. If I can get this, anybody can get this.”
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Dwyane Wade Names His Top 5 NBA Players Ever
Dwyane Wade recently gave his personal all-time list of top 5 NBA players.
Debating who the greatest athletes of all time are, in any sport, is a tall task. At the end of the day, a lot of this comes down to subjective opinion and who you grew up watching. Basketball is a particularly interesting sport to debate because there have been so many superstars throughout the various different eras. Everyone will give you a different top-five and that's what makes the sport so special to so many.
Recently, Dwyane Wade was doing an AMA with Bleacher Report where he was asked a plethora of questions by fans. At one point, Wade was asked to give his top five players of all time and in the end, he gave a fairly wide range. Wade started out with Michael Jordan and added former teammates LeBron James and Shaq, while also giving shoutouts to Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson.
Based on the names given, it's clear Wade decided to go with his favorites as opposed to who he thinks is truly the best. The man still has plenty of relationships to maintain around the league and as a former player, you never want to ruffle any feathers with these debates that tend to hurt egos.
Let us know in the comments below what you thought of Wade's list and who you would put in your own top five.




