The complicated life of Michael Jordan continues.
As every element of Jordan’s complex career attracts record prime-time audiences during the nothing-else-to-watch pandemic, it is understandable why ESPN producers were surprised when Michael approved episodes 7 and 8 of the Last Dance without any edits.
The series that is likely to win every TV award imaginable continues building toward dramatic conclusions, the key to telling any good story in any medium. But the last two shows portray more warts than highlights of the NBA GOAT.
Losing his father to that horrible roadside slaying and his first retirement at only 31 were spell-binding segments, as Jordan walked away from the game after three straight championships to become a .202 hitter in Double-A baseball. The latter actually helped him get over the former, as Michael said his dad had approved while still alive.
But while his competitiveness drew mixed reviews from former players, the series revealed he needed a foil at almost every turn to keep him focused. Upon his return to the Bulls in 1995, losing to Orlando in the playoffs was enough for the out-of-shape hardcourt hero to dedicate the next off-season to get his body and edge back.
But the examples of manufactured motivation date back to him making up a story about an opponent’s slight to embarrass him in the next game. The great trash talker didn’t like one-time teammate B.J. Armstrong zinging him after delivering the Bulls a rare loss and he used fellow Tar Heel George Karl’s snub in a restaurant to fire him up.
Punching teammate Steve Kerr actually made more sense, since Jordan didn’t want anyone who had not been with him while he built those championship seasons casually riding his coattails. But he never demanded of any player anything he wouldn’t do.
Michael watching taped interviews on camera was not a great editorial touch, since these guys didn’t deserve to be ridiculed. But the scene of Jordan sobbing over the first title without his daddy was a heart-tugger, and proved all of his qualities were authentic.
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