New Orleans Pelicans’ head coach Alvin Gentry talked about the consequences of talking trash to Michael Jordan before “The Last Dance” documentary.
Talking trash to Michael Jordan is not a wise decision. Just ask New Orleans Pelicans’ head coach Alvin Gentry, who saw first hand what happens when you poke the pit bull.
Gentry was a Miami Heat assistant coach in 1992 when one of his players, basketball mortal Steve Smith, decided it was a good time to trash talk the Gods.
Jordan, one of the most competitive humans to ever live, was not about to let this slide.
He went off on the Heat, scoring 46 en route to a three-game sweep of the beleaguered Heat, who learned a valuable lesson about what happens when you anger a legend.
According to NOLA.com, Gentry had this to say about riling up MJ:
"“The first quarter he had like four points, maybe six,” Gentry said. “He didn’t have very many points at all. They decided they would talk a little smack to him. He had like 40 at the end of the third.”"
Gentry, who admitted he thought his Heat team might have a chance to win the series, quickly realized the error of his ways:
"“I think that he was going to coast through the game,” Gentry said. “I said, ‘I hope you guys learned a lesson that you have to let a sleeping giant really sleep.’”"
Steve Smith and other NBA greats talked about Jordan’s legendary trash talking on “Open Court.” Smith’s section begins around the four minute mark.
Gentry, now the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, was speaking ahead of “The Last Dance” documentary, which will make its debut tonight on ESPN.
The documentary, which was directed by Jason Hehir, will use hundreds of interviews and archival footage to break down the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty of the 1990’s, as well as Jordan’s hyper-competitive persona.
The documentary does not hold back, so fans will get a chance to see Jordan and the Bulls in all of their F-bomb dropping glory.
Alvin Gentry is hoping the New Orleans Pelicans will pick up some of that intensity, as his young team and most of the league will be watching with play still suspended.
We at Pelicans Debrief are committed to bringing you coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans during the hiatus.
Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!