The turning point for the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Finals was when head coach George Karl finally relented and allowed the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Gary Payton, guard Michael Jordan one on one. While the phrase "turning point" is used liberally here as the Bulls still ended up winning the series, there is evidence that shows that the switch in Seattle's defensive assignment had a hugely positive effect on the team's chances of success -- the Sonics went on to win Games 4 and 5, after all.
In retelling the story of that series in Episode 8 of "The Last Dance", Payton laid out his heart and soul to the camera, explaining how he managed to stand up to one of the greatest players in basketball history, and forced some cracks in Jordan's seemingly impenetrable armor. The producers of the show then showed the clip to Jordan, who could only laugh at the idea that anybody ever stopped him in his career.
Gary Payton thought he found a way to get to MJ ... Mike wasn't sweating the Glove 😂 #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/Z8NG7qN5hW
— ESPN (@espn) May 11, 2020
It was yet another iconic moment featuring Jordan and a video clip on an electronic tablet. The first came when MJ was shown a clip of Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas explaining why his team walked off the floor after losing to them in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals and defending that decision today -- to which Jordan called Thomas an "asshole" for doing it.
After the episode, the reaction and memes on Twitter poured in, as has been the case throughout The Last Dance.
Much like 'Crying Jordan' can be photoshopped on to anybody, 'Laughing Stephen A. Smith' can fit the same bill.
When Michael heard Gary Payton say he tired him out pic.twitter.com/FI6QQA54H5
— Stephen A. Smith Burner (@SASBurnerAcct) May 11, 2020
Jordan's laugh was compared to that of a supervillian, and well...
Gary Payton: To guard MJ all i had to do was tire him out
— ChiseledAdonis (@chiseledadonis) May 11, 2020
Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/UojKMsQinV
While the documentary didn't cut back to a reaction shot of Payton reacting to Jordan seeing his remarks, some imagined how Payton might have responded.
Gary Payton realizing MJ and the world laughing at him tonight... pic.twitter.com/meCYl0bL8u
— Young Lee (@whatitdobaby23) May 11, 2020
Gary Payton at home watching this like pic.twitter.com/nOExvUg6uH
— Niklaus Mikaelson (@Nick__BeGreat) May 11, 2020
Of course, there are two sides to every coin, and some thought Payton had a point.
Jordan had a problem with Gary Payton... pic.twitter.com/p89IguHmPC
— be still🧘🏾♀️🛌🏾🤸🏾♀️ (@prettitoni28) May 11, 2020
MJ shot 22-60 in the 3 finals games payton guarded him
— Ben Detrick (@bdetrick) May 11, 2020
Finally, there were the people who knew how to properly use an image or a gif of Jordan's cackle itself.
Us: "Sports are coming back soon!"
— Eli Hershkovich (@EliHershkovich) May 11, 2020
Coronavirus: pic.twitter.com/OHFC9wvlMT
“Matthew Dellavedova is the Curry stopper.” pic.twitter.com/9u25v2XHsX
— Chris Montano (@gswchris) May 11, 2020
— NaCl (salty) (@saltydontcare) May 11, 2020
@PeteBlackburn blowing past every word count he is ever given pic.twitter.com/hfVi9EnlMO
— Nick Parco (@nick_parco) May 11, 2020