The grandeur of Michael Jordan as a basketball phenomenon is asserted in the compelling documentary series ‘The Last Dance’.
The series rather romanticises Jordan’s hungry and rivalrous spirit.
The portrayal of former teammates like Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant act as plot devices to escalate Jordan’s supreme status.
Despite objective criticism, the miniseries is laudable for its remarkable use of archived footage taken from a production company that had exclusive access to document the Chicago Bulls.
It is complemented by gripping storytelling and timelines depicting the metamorphosis of a small team, which became one of the most successful basketball franchises in history.
The story reveals the brewing tensions between the management of Jerry Krause and the team headed by Phil Jackson – an all access pass to the star-studded locker room of the Chicago Bulls.
The series features a timeline of Jordan’s basketball career, highlighting events that dictated the course of his lasting commitment to greatness. It draws sentiment from his childhood experiences in North Carolina where he was initially left out of the basketball team in high school.
Although this story has been mythicised for years to fit a compelling underdog story narrative, we hear it from Jordan himself and his coach at the time.
At 15 and at 5 feet 10, he was deemed unprepared to be on the first team. This rejection spurred Jordan on to exercise an unwavering obsession with being on top.
Jordon’s commitment to greatness came at the cost of carrying the entire team on his shoulders, which meant setting the same rigorous standards for everyone on the team. This undoubtedly bolstered tension with some of his teammates.
Point guard Steve Kerr opens up about an altercation during preseason training – a moment Kerr says built their relationship, because nobody ever stood up to Jordan.
Jordan’s relationship with his father may have set the course for his competitive nature, as we hear his family talk about the approval Jordan always wanted from his father as a boy.
His father’s murder had a drastic impact on Jordan, compelling him to take a break from basketball for 18 months, which some allude to as a period of secret suspension from the NBA due to his ongoing gambling issues.
Jordan’s rebel without a cause attitude and controversy overshadowed his immense contribution to the game. His defensive prowess coupled with his tremendous rebounding ability was the edge the Chicago Bulls needed to lead the league.
The game of basketball is more than a physical conquest, it’s a game of loyalty and compassion, and ‘The Last Dance’ reminds the world of this.
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
