2 Chapter Two: Pregame Author’s Note

Before we go any further and step off the sidelines and onto the hardwood, dear reader, you and I need to first understand this analysis of Michael Jordan inspired storytelling through the several hours of film referenced herein is an act of love. Any criticism of the man himself, or the creative choices made in any of these various works of art comes from a place of curiosity and should not be interpreted as cutting. There will be times when this will be hard, but please trust me. Trust me like Jordan trusting Scottie Pippen to carry him off the floor when he was too exhausted to walk off the floor himself after the “Flu Game” (ooooooh we’re going to be talking about that game a lot). Trust me like Jordan trusting John Paxson to hit that famous jumper in ‘93 and Steve Kerr to hit that other famous jumper in ‘97. I can tell you that Michael Jordan is my G.O.A.T. and I say this while admitting I have an absolute utter disdain for G.O.A.T. debates. Choosing to fight over what player rightfully deserves to be called the best of the best on a made-up list feels a bit like choosing to fight over which tile of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling is the most beautiful. I have no qualms with anyone who claims LeBron, or Kobe, or Kareem, or anyone else as their G.O.A.T. (and subjectively speaking, Allen Iverson may have had the most pound-for-pound impressive career of any men’s hooper I’ve ever seen, but that’s an essay for another day), but I am alive and awake and in American sports media in 2025, and the discourse states a G.O.A.T. allegiance must be pledged. Therefore, Jordan is my G.O.A.T. and he has been since the first time I watched Michael Jordan’s Playground in 3rd grade and my Space Jam themed ninth birthday party later in 3rd grade. Through all the games I’ve cheered for him and through all the games I’ve cheered against him. I have so much love and affection for the body of work, the achievements, and the movies (and the shoes too, of course) of Michael Jordan.

I also have some questions.