ESPN’s The Last Dance, highlighting the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan has been at the forefront of conversation in the sports world since episode one was released in April. On Sunday, ESPN aired episodes seven and eight. During last night’s episodes, part of the focus was on Jordan’s relationship with teammate Scott Burrell.
Burrell joined the Bulls in 1997 and played just one season with the team, the final year of the Bulls’ dynasty. In the 97-98, Burrell played in a limited role, averaging 5.2 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and .8 assists per game in 13.7 minutes per game.
Jordan would take it upon himself to push his teammates to the limit and to be as good as he thinks that they can possibly be, and Burrell was no exception. In the documentary, Jordan said that Burrell was extremely talented, but lacked a certain commitment and seriousness. “Scottie Burrell was a talented guy. What Scottie was lacking was a commitment of determination, seriousness,” Jordan said. “So he became my guy to kinda push — keep pushing, keep pushing. I tried to get him to fight me a few times — in a good sense — like I’m tired of you picking on me, that type of mentality. I could never get him. He’s such a nice guy. But I know we’re going to need him at some point and time, and he’s going to remember this and he’s going to go out there and he’ll fight.”
Burrell never shied away from Jordan’s challenges, consistently calling out Jordan in scrimmages, and Jordan would come back and say some things that you wouldn’t say in regular conversation toward Burrell, toughening Burrell to be ready for once the playoffs rolled around.
Burrell and Jordan are still friends to this day, with Jordan visiting Burrell every summer to play golf together, and when talking about his relationship with Jordan on the court, Burrell says that Jordan and his comments ultimately did make him a better player. “You’re playing with a guy that has the highest standards of any basketball player ever,” Burrell said. “You want to live up to that challenge. It’s tough, tough love. You’ve got to go out there and do your job.”
Next week will see the final episodes in the series with episodes nine and ten.
