CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Hornets, takes part in a ceremony honoring the 2020 NBA All-Star game during a break in play as Team LeBron take on Team Giannis in the fourth quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
The photo of Michael Jordan crying at Symphony Hall during his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech spawned arguably one of the most popular memes of all time. Now, the basketball legend has blessed us with more content to work with.
Magic happened during The Last Dance, ESPN's documentary series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls' road to a sixth championship during the '97-'98 season. Thrillist explains the moment, saying it began when director Jim Hehir shows Jordan old footage:
"Hehir hands Jordan an iPad featuring a clip of Gary Payton talking about going head-to-head with Jordan during the 1996 finals between the Bulls and the Seattle Supersonics. The Bulls had swept the first three games of the series, but then Payton started guarding Jordan, and the Sonics took two games back." They add, "Recounting the matchup, Payton tells Hehir how he refused to back down to Jordan like so many others did, and instead tried to tire him out. But then Hehir cuts away from Payton's interview to show Jordan watching that same footage. Jordan looks at the device in disbelief, and then busts out laughing."
And the moment is already internet gold. See some of the memes below.
