Russ Adams on ESPN's 'The Last Dance'

After five weeks, the Bulls' run is finally over. First thing: "Nice job, ESPN." There are so many things to discuss with this series that I’m just going to get into something that means a lot to me: The first three championships were exciting for me because I never believed in any Chicago jinx. I didn't believe in it when the '85 Bears won the Super Bowl, and I wasn’t a believer as it related to the Bulls.

The juggernaut Showtime L.A. Lakers featuring Magic Johnson versus the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. Game 1: Lakers win. Bulls take game two, and go on to sweep the Lakers and take the first championship. You talk about excitement at a parade!

Next up in the '91-'92 season: the Clyde Drexler-led Portland Trailblazers. Game 1: The Bulls smashed them to go up 1-0. Game 2: Trailblazers beat the Bulls to even the series. Game 3-5 in Portland, where visiting teams tended to go down in flames-Bulls take 2 out of 3 as Jordan backs up his statement of "I can win anywhere." Game 6: With a chance to repeat, the Bulls fall behind and then, while Jordan rested, the Bulls pulled to within five. Jordan returned fresh and proceeded to take control. Bulls win! Grant Park, here we come again!

The '92-'93 season came down to the Charles Barkley-led Phoenix Suns--who had homecourt advantage- -versus the Bulls. The Bulls had the opportunity to become the first team in many years to pull off the threepeat. Games 1 & 2: Bulls win both. I'm feeling pretty good about things. But, then, in Chicago, the Suns win 2 of 3, and we have a series. Up 3-2, the Bulls take to the road for game 6 & possibly 7. Game 6: A John Paxson three-pointer makes it a three-peat!

Jordan retires. What?!

The '93-'94 & the '94-'95 seasons ended in defeat despite Jordan's NBA comeback during the second half of the second season. In comes Dennis Rodman a.k.a. the Worm to bulk up the Bulls' rebounding game. The Bulls go on in the '95-96 season to rally to a 72- 10 season, the most wins in a season by any team in NBA history, and they meet the Gary Payton-led Seattle Supersonics. Though the Bulls won the series 4-2, it wasn't as tight as the margin indicated...even with Payton believing he could stifle Jordan. Four rings for Chicago in six years. FYI, I had a ball that year!

The '96-'97 season Finals matchup was versus the season's MVP Karl Malone- and John Stockton-led Utah Jazz. They were a good team…but the Bulls were even better. The series was tied 2-2 and the infamous game 5 matchup with a sick Michael Jordan. Jordan was ridiculous--ridiculous and exhausted. Game 5 to the Bulls to go up 3-2, and they are now back home. Aided by a big Steve Kerr game-winning shot—assisted by his Airness--the Bulls take it. Repeat champions.

The '97-'98 regular season wrapped with the Bulls on tap for an unprecedented 2nd three-peat and, again, versus the Utah Jazz, the winningest team in the NBA during the season. Utah had homecourt advantage, but the Bulls still managed to go up 3-2 heading to Utah for game 6. It was a battle, but in the end, Jordan topped his Bulls career with a shot for the ages over Bryon Russell. Second three-peat in eight years.

No team had ever done that, so "Thank you, Bulls" for a wonderful run. It was fun and Michael Jordan proved himself to be the greatest of all time. Y'all remember, "I wanna be like Mike"?

I know I do.