"The Last Dance Five Years Later"

Let's go back to April 2020, when everything was flipped upside down 
and the world came to a halt. No live sports or in-person contact better 
known as COVID-19. We were under quarantine during this disastrous 
moment in time. The unknown global pandemic which forced a lot of us 
to reevaluate life in a different lens. Just the thought of it now gives me 
chills to no end. 

There were no sports to discuss prior to every major professional 
league shutting down. We watched the Super Bowl, Daytona 500 and 
NBA All-Star game right before it all ended. To give fans content and 
context, one of the greatest sports documentaries graced our television 
sets for five weeks. If you haven't heard of it, allow me to introduce or 
revisit.

"The Last Dance" premiered on ABC/ESPN and Netflix April 19, 2020; 
running ten episodes over five weeks which became must see 
television. NBA fans young and old witnessed behind the scenes and 
backstories leading up to the Chicago Bulls' dynasty of NBA90s. It was 
an opportunity for this generation of fans to see one of the greatest NBA 
players tell the story of greatness. 
Michael Jordan gave the green light about the 1998 season in which 
followed the Bulls in a quest for a second three peat. With the events 
prior to winning six championships, playoff shortcomings, questionable 
leadership, physicality issues and overcoming all in winning at whatever 
it takes. Humble beginnings to astronomical success, Jordan's 
greatness was on display.

In the middle of winning championships, controversial articles about 
gambling and owing money to loan sharks. This became the focal point 

middle of the documentary. What happened after the 1993 season 
would change Jordan's life forever. A short retirement to play baseball to 
reclaiming his throne as the GOAT.

Now that we've summed up the good, here's how it unfolded from a 
negative perspective. Former teammates were interviewed and gave 
their insight to Jordan's leadership. Chasing greatness while barking at 
players to play his way. There was no shortcuts and Jordan was serious
about his craft. As we watched the series, a lot of "what-ifs" came into
play.

Who ended up being the villain during its climax? Jerry Krause, former
General Manager who constructed this team and the recipient of six
championships in eight seasons. Krause gave former head coach Phil
Jackson a one year extension in 1998; which baffled Bulls fans
considering the team was hungry for more. A shaky start to the season
with Scottie Pippen missing a chunk of it; Dennis Rodman taking a
vacation to Las Vegas and still playing out of his mind.

Krause and Jackson wasn't on the same page; as the team had gotten
older and physically worn down. It was obvious regardless of what was
said, Jackson wasn't staying around much longer. It was written in
stone; that no matter what happened, Krause had made up his mind to
let Jackson walk.

Which brings me to my next point: if Jordan had convinced Jackson to
stay and run it back for a seventh title, would that been possible? At age
35 and still dominating, Jordan was in his prime. It appeared Krause
didn't intend on having those talks considering neither side was eye to
eye. Another key clog comes into play as owner Jerry Reinsdorf was
behind the scenes.

Reinsdorf in his defense allowed Krause to make the decisions. If he
had any backbone, this team stays together and contends in a
shortened season of 50 games in 1999. Enough time for guys to get
healthy and healed for another championship run. It would've played
into Jordan's favor and boat race through the season. Neither Jerry
made the notion and let Jackson, Jordan walk out on top of basketball
galore.

Scottie Pippen would be the hero/vigilante in part of how he's been
discredited for being Jordan's ultimate teammate. As we heard
throughout the documentary, there's no six championships without
Pippen. One of the best perimeter defenders in league history has been
the circle of unwarranted hate by fans and media pundits.

Pippen literally led Chicago back to the ECF in 1994 but fell short to the
New York Knicks. Yes, his contract issues became well known during
the 1998 season in part of he wanted an increase in pay. To make
matters worse, a lingering ankle injury hampered the season and used it
as leverage. Fans would point the Bulls' struggles in 98 to Pippen's
absence and selfishness antics. You can't blame a guy for asking equal
pay to his superstar teammate.

Phil Jackson known as the "Zenmaster" became a bigger villain at the
end of this documentary. There's been a consensus thought Jackson
already had his mind made up 1998 was his "last dance" in Chicago.
Knowing his tenure would be a rocky exit, he kept it business as usual
prior to the season starting. A man whose career traces back to the
1970s as a role player and using different philosophies in coaching.
Connecting to his players and getting the most out of them.

All NBA fans likely agree there was a handshake agreement with the
Los Angeles Lakers once the season concluded. Walking into the

building with a prime Shaquille O'Neal and the second coming to
Michael Jordan in Kobe Bryant. Seeing Bryant's interview prior to his
tragic passing in February 2020 brought tears as it was one of his last
interviews. In which he credited Jordan for guiding him through his
career. Winning five championships and understanding what it took to
win, Bryant's voice and presence gave us all chills.

Last but not least, the main player and focal point of "The Last Dance,"
Michael Jordan. Is he the hero, bad guy, folklore legend every NBA
player still reveres one of many aliases? A mystique of a player who
played in shadows of greatness, while living up to "best player in the
world" during the Magic and Bird glory era which they were winning
titles. It was then in 1987, the media was already crowning Jordan and
hadn't won any titles. Individual awards didn't amount to team success;
yet everyone knew Jordan was next player up. He became the face of
NBA basketball and an international icon.

Jordan's role in "last dance" went beyond basketball. It was his time to
tell the makings of what "GOAT" really meant. Being the tyrant and
aggressive player in making teammates play to his expectations. Even if
it meant punching Steve Kerr in the face during practice. Who knew
Jordan had done this until now? If that occurred in the social media
landscape, the negative press would've followed.

One of the best lines in this series, "I took it personal," is used in a
variety of ways. Creating a competitive edge and motivation to destroy
your confidence. This was Jordan's career from the day he didn't make
varsity basketball in high school to not shaking hands with Isiah Thomas
after sweeping the Detroit Pistons en route to their first title in 1991;
which to this day Jordan hasn't forgot.
In the end, "The Last Dance" gave NBA fans a look into the ups and
downs of Chicago's quest to accomplish something greater than any

other team in league history. Winning comes with a price, yet bears
uncomfortable circumstances of accepting the sacrifices. Jordan's Bulls
defined what it meant to love NBA90s basketball. Yes, the aura of
Jordan's greatness left former and current players chasing the ghost of
greatness.

"The Last Dance" to me is one of sports greatest documentaries ever
made. Growing up here in the Midwest, Jordan and the Bulls were
rockstars. It was like watching The Beatles in sports formality. Every kid
here stayed up to watch greatness; even on school nights when we
should've been in bed. Those memories brought back a lot of great
times when nothing else mattered.

"Last Dance" proved to be highly successful and gave fans something
to discuss. Even national pundits raved and talked about it each Sunday
night. It was sports talk from breaking down each episode on Monday
mornings. It opened the door for many content creators to ramp up their
podcasts and blogs. In a time where we didn't have nothing on
television, this took our minds off the pandemic and left us wanting more
once it concluded.