The Last Dance (miniseries)

The Last Dance (miniseries) is a ten-part sports documentary chronicling the career of Michael Jordan, with a particular focus on his final season with the Chicago Bulls during the 1997–98 NBA season. Directed by Jason Hehir and produced by NBA Entertainment, the series features extensive never-before-seen footage from the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls season and contemporary interviews with key figures like Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. It premiered on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix internationally in April 2020, achieving widespread critical acclaim and record viewership.

Overview

The series centers on the Chicago Bulls' quest for a sixth NBA championship in eight years, framed by the tension between the team's management, led by general manager Jerry Krause, and its iconic players. It utilizes the 1997–98 NBA season as a narrative spine, interweaving flashbacks to explore Michael Jordan's rise from a University of North Carolina standout to a global icon with the Bulls dynasty. Key storylines include the complex relationship between Jordan and teammate Scottie Pippen, the integration of eccentric forward Dennis Rodman, and the philosophical guidance of coach Phil Jackson. The documentary also delves into Jordan's personal motivations, his brief stint in Minor League Baseball with the Birmingham Barons, and the immense pressure of his celebrity status.

Production

The production was anchored by footage filmed by a crew granted unprecedented access during the 1997–98 Chicago Bulls season, originally intended for a potential team-sponsored film. Director Jason Hehir and his team, including producers Mike Tollin and Curtis Polk, spent years securing cooperation from Michael Jordan and the National Basketball Association. The ESPN and Netflix collaboration was finalized in 2018, with Mandatory Wake-up Call and Jigsaw Productions also involved. The edit involved sifting through over 500 hours of archived footage from NBA Entertainment and conducting more than 100 new interviews with figures like Barack Obama, Magic Johnson, and Isiah Thomas. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the release schedule to provide content during a global sports hiatus.

Episodes

The ten episodes were released in pairs over five weeks. The narrative structure is non-linear, with each installment focusing on specific themes or seasons alongside the main 1997–98 NBA season chronology. Early episodes explore Jordan's competitive origins, his rivalry with the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys", and the Bulls' first championship victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. Later episodes cover the "Flu Game" in the 1997 Finals against the Utah Jazz, the turmoil within the organization, and the climactic 1998 NBA Finals. Each episode blends game footage, locker room scenes, and candid interviews to construct a comprehensive portrait of the era.

Reception

Upon its release, the series received universal critical acclaim, with praise directed at its storytelling, depth, and historical significance. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a near-perfect score, and it won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series in 2021. It shattered viewership records for ESPN, becoming the network's most-watched documentary ever, and trended globally on Netflix. Critics from The New York Times, The Ringer, and Sports Illustrated highlighted its compelling examination of Michael Jordan's psychology and the dynamics of a legendary team. Some figures, including Jerry Krause's family and former player Horace Grant, criticized certain portrayals as one-sided or inaccurate.

Impact and legacy

The series had a profound cultural impact, reintroducing Michael Jordan and the 1990s Bulls dynasty to a new generation and providing a major cultural moment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sparked renewed debate about Jordan's legacy, Greatest of All Time conversations in the NBA, and the inner workings of sports dynasties. The success prompted a wave of high-profile sports documentaries, influencing projects like Drive to Survive and The Last Stand. Merchandise sales for the Chicago Bulls and Nike's Air Jordan brand saw significant boosts. The documentary is now considered a landmark in the genre, preserving the story of one of sports' most iconic teams for historical record. Category:2020 American television series debuts Category:ESPN original programming Category:Netflix original programming Category:Sports documentaries about basketball