The Last Dance arrived during the early months of the pandemic, when live sports had vanished and audiences were desperate for competition of any kind. The ten-part documentary chronicling Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls filled that void spectacularly, drawing massive viewership and reigniting debates about basketball greatness that had never really stopped.
Built around never-before-seen footage from an embedded camera crew during the 1997-98 season, the documentary weaves between that final championship run and the broader history of the Bulls dynasty. The structure works brilliantly, allowing each episode to focus on a different character or theme while maintaining the throughline of that final, drama-filled season.
Jordan Unfiltered and the Dynasty Revealed
The archival footage is the documentary’s ace card. The behind-the-scenes material from the ‘97-98 season captures moments that were previously only rumored: Jordan’s intensity in practice, the tension between the front office and coaching staff, the day-to-day reality of playing on the most famous team in basketball history. This footage has a rawness and immediacy that retrospective interviews alone could never provide.
Jordan’s participation elevates everything. His interviews are candid, sometimes shockingly so. He’s funny, combative, emotional, and occasionally cruel in his assessments of former teammates and rivals. Whether you admire his competitive drive or find it troubling, his presence on screen is commanding. The moment where he tears up discussing the cost of his intensity is one of the most discussed scenes in sports documentary history.
The supporting cast is portrayed with real depth. Scottie Pippen’s fraught relationship with management, Dennis Rodman’s barely controlled chaos, Steve Kerr’s quiet toughness, and Phil Jackson’s zen leadership all get episodes or significant arcs. The documentary understands that the Bulls dynasty was a collection of specific individuals, each with their own story, not just a supporting cast for Jordan’s legend.
The production quality is superb. The editing moves between eras seamlessly, the music choices are excellent, and the pacing keeps ten episodes feeling propulsive rather than padded. Even viewers with no particular interest in basketball have been drawn in by the human drama.
The Jordan Brand Documentary Problem
The most persistent criticism is that The Last Dance is essentially a Jordan-produced project with Jordan’s approval over the footage. This creates an inherent bias that shapes the entire documentary. Jordan comes across as driven and justified in virtually every conflict, while those who clashed with him are given less space to present their side.
Scottie Pippen, in particular, felt his portrayal was unfair, and his perspective has merit. The documentary’s treatment of Pippen’s contract disputes and his decision to delay surgery before the ‘97-98 season leans heavily toward the narrative that serves Jordan’s legend. Other teammates have also noted that their contributions to the dynasty were minimized.
The documentary occasionally falls into highlight-reel territory, prioritizing spectacular moments over deeper analysis. The basketball itself is presented in broad strokes rather than with the tactical detail that hardcore fans might want. Some of the context around the Bulls’ rivals and their era is thin, particularly regarding the teams Jordan defeated in the Finals.
The last few episodes, while still good, don’t match the energy of the early installments. There’s a sense of narrative inevitability that saps some tension from the final championship run, even though the drama surrounding the team’s dysfunction should provide plenty.
Competitiveness as Character Study
Beyond basketball, The Last Dance is a fascinating examination of what extreme competitive drive looks like up close. Jordan’s treatment of teammates, his gambling, his refusal to accept anything less than total commitment from everyone around him raise questions about whether greatness requires cruelty. The documentary presents this dynamic honestly without fully resolving it, which is probably the right choice.
Should You Watch The Last Dance?
If you lived through the Bulls dynasty, this is essential nostalgia delivered with exceptional craft. If you didn’t, it’s still a compelling story about ambition, teamwork, and the price of greatness. Non-basketball fans will find plenty to engage with in the character dynamics alone. Just be aware that you’re watching Jordan’s version of events, filtered through his considerable star power.
The Verdict on The Last Dance
The Last Dance is one of the best sports documentaries ever made, a beautifully produced, emotionally engaging chronicle of the greatest dynasty in basketball history. Its Jordan-centric perspective is a real limitation, and the portraits of some supporting figures could be more balanced. But the archival footage is extraordinary, the storytelling is expert, and the human drama transcends sports. It’s the kind of documentary that makes you care about its subjects even if you’ve never cared about basketball.