The Last Dance: Looking back at the top 5 moments from the documentary
4. “If you don’t want to play that way… don’t play that way… break” – Michael Jordan at the end of episode 7
One of the biggest criticisms of Michael Jordan has always been that he is too hard on teammates. In this memorable moment, he finally addressed this and the results are more emotional than one would expect from the toughest guy on the planet.
Jordan laments how he never asked his teammates to do something he didn’t do indicating why Jordan pushes his teammates so hard because he was the hardest worker and wanted to bring out the best in them as he did in himself.
"“I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win and be a part of that as well”, emotionally remarks Jordan before an incredible montage of The ‘90s Bull success begins."
The montage features a multiple of teammates enjoying the self-satisfaction of reaching the pinnacle of NBA basketball in what looks like the happiest moments of their lives as we see teammates smiling, dancing, hugging, jumping for joy, bathing in championship champagne and even tearing up.
Jordan begins to get very emotional before elaborating on his methods to push his teammates to be their best, no matter how he was perceived by the public saying:
"“It is who I am. That’s how I play the game. That was my mentality”."
At this point, the true Michael Jordan comes out, as for a moment the hardened shell of sports’ original competitive mastermind softens and we see the love Jordan has for his teammates as well as his love for the competition of winning as Jordan tearfully pauses the interview with the now-iconic phrase:
"“If you don’t wanna play that way… don’t play that way… Break”."