ESPN’s Bulls/Jordan documentary “The Last Dance”

[Anonymous]

I hated the Bulls, but I started watching this because, let’s face it—there’s nothing else to do!
But I’m enjoying it. It’s reminding me why I USED to like the NBA: the players were competitive, they wanted to beat each other, and they played tough! I also love getting to see/hear the commentary on the “field of battle.” Them talking sh!t about a young Kobe, the hatred for Isaiah Thomas...and that footage of the dream team scrimmage—good stuff! Oh and Dennis Rodman talking the art of rebounding—awesome. He used to be much more than a contestant on the Apprentice!

[Anonymous]

I love it too! Except I grew up in Chicago and was OBSESSED with the Bulls! It was such a fun time!!

[Anonymous]

There is some pretty good content, but Jordan had full creative control over the whole thing, so it’s not as good or insightful as it could have been given the amount of footage they had available. Last nights episodes had a bunch of filler on playoff series about which we already know the outcome and didn’t need that much prolonged coverage. Also the jumping back and forth with the chronology is a little distracting/annoying. If it is supposed to be for artistic merit, I’m not really seeing the point.

[Anonymous]

The Rodman episode was really good!

[Anonymous]

My kids have no interest in basketball and were transfixed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love it too! Except I grew up in Chicago and was OBSESSED with the Bulls! It was such a fun time!!

This was me too. Grew up in Chicago and the only time it was okay to watch television during dinner was to watch the Bulls. EVERYTHING was Jordan. My family had Michael Jordan potholders, FFS.

I don’t think there will ever be anything that compares to it.

Loving reliving it through the documentary.

[Anonymous]

I love it and we were not even a big basketball house. But the snapshot in time is awesome

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is some pretty good content, but Jordan had full creative control over the whole thing, so it’s not as good or insightful as it could have been given the amount of footage they had available. Last nights episodes had a bunch of filler on playoff series about which we already know the outcome and didn’t need that much prolonged coverage. Also the jumping back and forth with the chronology is a little distracting/annoying. If it is supposed to be for artistic merit, I’m not really seeing the point.

I’ve heard this criticism but I disagree. It’s a great way of showing the background—not just of Jordan but of every key player on that ‘98 team. Look at last night’s episode, how they brought up Kukoc but went all the way back to ‘90 Draft, and then ‘92 Olympics (I had no idea how Jordan and Pippen were out to get him!) to tell his story. It made it interesting. How boring would it be if they went from early 80’s to 98 in a linear manner?

[Anonymous]

I am absolutely loving it. I remember watching those playoff games and being transfixed by Jordan. The episode about Scottie Pippen where they talked about how little he was being paid comparatively to other players was shocking.

[Anonymous]

The part yesterday where Obama criticizes Jordan for not being involved in politics totally ruined the moment for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is some pretty good content, but Jordan had full creative control over the whole thing, so it’s not as good or insightful as it could have been given the amount of footage they had available. Last nights episodes had a bunch of filler on playoff series about which we already know the outcome and didn’t need that much prolonged coverage. Also the jumping back and forth with the chronology is a little distracting/annoying. If it is supposed to be for artistic merit, I’m not really seeing the point.

I’ve heard this criticism but I disagree. It’s a great way of showing the background—not just of Jordan but of every key player on that ‘98 team. Look at last night’s episode, how they brought up Kukoc but went all the way back to ‘90 Draft, and then ‘92 Olympics (I had no idea how Jordan and Pippen were out to get him!) to tell his story. It made it interesting. How boring would it be if they went from early 80’s to 98 in a linear manner?

No, I understand this point, but they just seem to do it randomly. Like jumping from 98 to 92 and back, when it doesn't really add much because all of those jumps were about Jordan, not adding context. I guess my critique is that it is over-deployed to the point of being a distraction, not that it should be nixed altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The part yesterday where Obama criticizes Jordan for not being involved in politics totally ruined the moment for me.

Yeah, last night's episode did get a tad too political for my liking. I'm not a huge fan of Todd Boyd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is some pretty good content, but Jordan had full creative control over the whole thing, so it’s not as good or insightful as it could have been given the amount of footage they had available. Last nights episodes had a bunch of filler on playoff series about which we already know the outcome and didn’t need that much prolonged coverage. Also the jumping back and forth with the chronology is a little distracting/annoying. If it is supposed to be for artistic merit, I’m not really seeing the point.

I’ve heard this criticism but I disagree. It’s a great way of showing the background—not just of Jordan but of every key player on that ‘98 team. Look at last night’s episode, how they brought up Kukoc but went all the way back to ‘90 Draft, and then ‘92 Olympics (I had no idea how Jordan and Pippen were out to get him!) to tell his story. It made it interesting. How boring would it be if they went from early 80’s to 98 in a linear manner?

No, I understand this point, but they just seem to do it randomly. Like jumping from 98 to 92 and back, when it doesn't really add much because all of those jumps were about Jordan, not adding context. I guess my critique is that it is over-deployed to the point of being a distraction, not that it should be nixed altogether.

I don't like so much jumping back & forth.

Also zero mention of his wife & kids. It's really strange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is some pretty good content, but Jordan had full creative control over the whole thing, so it’s not as good or insightful as it could have been given the amount of footage they had available. Last nights episodes had a bunch of filler on playoff series about which we already know the outcome and didn’t need that much prolonged coverage. Also the jumping back and forth with the chronology is a little distracting/annoying. If it is supposed to be for artistic merit, I’m not really seeing the point.

I’ve heard this criticism but I disagree. It’s a great way of showing the background—not just of Jordan but of every key player on that ‘98 team. Look at last night’s episode, how they brought up Kukoc but went all the way back to ‘90 Draft, and then ‘92 Olympics (I had no idea how Jordan and Pippen were out to get him!) to tell his story. It made it interesting. How boring would it be if they went from early 80’s to 98 in a linear manner?

No, I understand this point, but they just seem to do it randomly. Like jumping from 98 to 92 and back, when it doesn't really add much because all of those jumps were about Jordan, not adding context. I guess my critique is that it is over-deployed to the point of being a distraction, not that it should be nixed altogether.

I don't like so much jumping back & forth.

Also zero mention of his wife & kids. It's really strange.

I agree, I expected at least some small bits about his family. His three kids with his first wife, were on the Today show on Friday.
https://www.today.com/video/michael-jordan-s-kids-talk-about-documentary-series-the-last-dance-82868293995

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The part yesterday where Obama criticizes Jordan for not being involved in politics totally ruined the moment for me.

Yeah, last night's episode did get a tad too political for my liking. I'm not a huge fan of Todd Boyd.

Interesting! I thought the entire point of that segment was how UNpolitical Jordan was. Obama made the point that black individuals who reach a certain strata of fame and influence are often looked to for social commentary, but MJ shied away from that (i think Obama implied he was a bit disappointed, too—many were hoping for another Ali-level influencer).
The stuff about the NC senate election, and how MJ refused to endorse the Dem candidate because “Republicans buy sneakers too” was fascinating. Then to see him use the flag as a prop to cover up the Reebok logo in the Olympics was distasteful (it’s also sad how the Olympics turned into “USA Basketball” fest, but I digress).
I’m torn between respecting Jordan as strictly a businessman who knew politics wasn’t for him, or a bit of a phony who starred in ads telling young people to “be like Mike”—which I guess means Gatorade, basketball, gambling, and selling shoes.