Why The Last Dance Was Everything I Wanted It To Be

Growing up in Illinois, I felt the lasting effect of Michael Jordan’s legacy every day. All of my basketball-loving friends tried to emulate his style, confidence, and performance on and off the court. His sneakers were status symbols indicative of an awareness to both sports and streetwear culture, signaling to others that you knew all about the greatest player of all time. Jordan’s reign ended after winning his sixth NBA championship just months before I was born. I was able to watch Derrick Rose’s historic MVP season with the Chicago Bulls, but nothing he did came close to the greatness and dominance Jordan consistently delivered. Highlight reels and research taught me who Jordan was as a player to some extent, but it wasn’t until the long-awaited documentary The Last Dance that I got a real sense of the magnitude Jordan’s career and legacy carried. The Last Dance was everything I wanted it to be.

It’s easy to forget athletes are people, too, when they’re performing at a nonhuman level. For all of the MVP seasons, scoring titles, championship rings, and “How did he just do that?!” moments which made up Jordan’s career, it’s easy to forget that he was also an emotionally complex individual trying to navigate uncharted territory for an NBA player, because no one had ever achieved his level of success and stardom up until his career. The Last Dance offered a rare and insightful peak behind the curtain, explaining Jordan’s mentality, decision-making process, and personal reflections for the amazing career he had. I wound up appreciating him more not only as a player, but also as a man.

The interpersonal relationships NBA players, coaches, and managers have with each other have always fascinated me. There’s a certain level of politics involved in the moves made by organizations, and creating a legacy requires a multifaceted, coordinated effort from many highly skilled individuals. The Last Dance revealed how Jordan pushed his teammates to greatness, respected his opponents, and dealt with coaches, owners, and the press all at the same time. It’s interesting to me that Jordan seems to maintain good relationships with most of his colleagues and competitors over the years despite their intense rivalries on the court.

This documentary also filled the holes and gaps of knowledge I had about Jordan’s career. His early playoff losses, his stint playing minor league baseball in-between threepeats, and his personal struggles with gambling and the death of his father were all explained very well by The Last Dance. The highlight reels and never-before-seen footage were spectacular, as well, frequently sending shivers down my spine.

To me, it’s simple. Michael Jordan is, undisputedly, the greatest NBA basketball player to ever step foot on court. His undefeated finals record, his larger-than-life celebrity status off the court, and the professionalism which matched his unmatchable skill speak for themselves. In the time of crisis we find ourselves in, it is great to reflect on greatness. The Last Dance allowed us all to do just that, and that is why it was everything I wanted it to be. Thanks for reading.