Michael Jordan is one of the most famous athletes to have ever graced a basketball pitch. We cannot ignore the fact that he appeared in six NBA finals; his team emerged victorious in all six and was named MVP in each of these finals.
Not all basketball fans had a chance to watch the athlete in action. ‘The Last Dance’ thus gives a glimpse of Michael Jordan’s basketball career. The director thought that the documentary would end up in some very ‘uncomfortable places’. However, Michael Jordan was passionate about this documentary. We take a look at some of the major takes from ‘The Last Dance’ documentary:
The Framework
The 1997-1998 season has been set as the framework for ‘The Last Dance’ documentary. It was during this season that Chicago Bulls capped the second of their three-peats. There was pretty of basketball action during this season, making it perfect for a documentary based on the legendary Michael Jordan.
The backstories of the insurmountably toxic conflicts between General Manager Jerry Krause with secondary superstar Scottie Pippen and Coach Phil Jackson, the indispensable teammates, and their inexplicable actions add a strong storyline to this classic.
The series shows some of Jordan’s less shiny moments. Some of the difficult chapters in his life, such as the shocking murder of Jordan’s father and his struggle with gambling, are also highlighted. Jordan’s indomitable will is what makes him so fascinating and not his athletic abilities. This character is what made him who he is and makes him unique among the rest athletes.
Episodes 1 and 2
Michael Jordan says that Chicago Bulls should get to defend its title until it loses. He goes ahead to say that he won’t play for any other coach other than Phil Jackson. However, the team seems to defy him, something that is unlikely to happen with modern stars. Even though Jordan didn’t win a title until 1991, the second episode highlights the 1996 game where he scored 60-plus on 41 shots while he was still 23 years old.
Episodes 3 and 4
Most people do not realize that Dennis Rodman was an introvert. He just wore jeans and sneakers as a rookie. He had no piercings or tattoos. His mother kicked him out of the house, and he was also bullied as a kid. Rodman wanted to be loved, and Chuck Daly, Piston’s head coach, was kind enough to offer him that. When Daly left for Detroit in 1992, Rodman was lost again. It was not until Phil Jackson picked Rodman up that he became Bulls’ X factor.
Episodes 5 and 6
Those who had watched the trailer had already known that the legendary Kobe Bryant was part of “The Last Dance”. A mixture of reactions was evoked when people knew that Kobe was to be part of the 1998 NBA All-Star Game. This is the kind of game that can have interesting NBA odds when the young and talented Kobe Bryant is posed as someone who can challenge the legendary Jordan on a one-on-one. It was a clash of titans of a team led by Michael Jordan and the opposing led by Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson.
Episodes 7 and 8
The New Jersey Nets had secured a playoff match after winning their last home match against Detroit Pistons. They were now supposed to face off with the Chicago Bulls, the defending champions. The Nets were down 2-0 heading to Game 3. Michael Jordan dropped 38 points, and the Bulls swept the series in Game 3. Jordan is seen giving coach John Calipari a death stare as he paced up and down, screaming at the young players, Van Horn and Kittles.
Episode 9 and 10
Michael Jordan scored six points in his final 60 seconds wearing the Chicago Bulls uniform. He also sank on the most legendary jump shots in NBA and overall basketball history during this game. This is the shot that propelled the Chicago Bulls to its 3rd consecutive championship. What you will like about the series is how it shows how Jordan helped the Bulls seal that the 1998 NBA Finals. It was a Hollywood-style ending and something that is unmatched more than two decades later. Just before the showdown, Utah Jazz was up by three points after John Stockton sank a triple. Jordan then came with a jump shot that made his game transcendent and revolutionary.
‘The Last Dance’ shows some sides of Michael Jordan that fans on the field could not figure out. The film’s theme is the pursuit of excellence, and the price one has to pay to pursue the dream. He is that man who refuses to get anything less from what he is capable of achieving. He is also displayed as a strong leader who pushes the rest to deliver their best.
