“The Last Dance” has not only entertained basketball fans all over the world, but it has forced those who have played against Michael Jordan to recount their best memories of the icon. According to former Boston Celtics head coach Rick Pitino, Antoine Walker celebrated in front of Jordan after their opening day upset. And Jordan vowed to get revenge.
In the opening night of the 1997-98 season, the young Celtics squad stunned the Bulls, 92-85. Walker, who had 31 points that night, was pumped that they were beating the legendary Bulls squad. As any young gun would do, Walker unleashed his signature shimmy dance which Jordan didn't like very much. Per Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, Pitino shared the story:
“I’ll never forget, as long as I live, we were going back to the locker room, and Michael Jordan is yelling at Antoine,” the coach says. “He’s screaming at him and swearing at him. And I said, ‘Holy (expletive), what happened there?’
“Then the assistant coaches explained to me that apparently Antoine was shimmying and dancing, and Michael started screaming, ‘Antoine, you won’t be (expletive) dancing when you come to Chicago.’ He kept saying it, and I said, ‘Oh, (expletive).'
Of course, Jordan got his revenge. In their next meetings, the Bulls manhandled the Celtics by 10, 11, and 23 points. It's another great story of someone talking trash to his Airness and getting hushed. Walker's shimmy was understandable. But his big mistake was that he let Jordan see it. He should've done it privately or not at all.
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