I’ve waited for this for a long time - the anticipation was real that I even set a reminder on my mobile phone to drop everything and just focus on this particular schedule. I put some cold beverage on the fridge and made sure everything is taken care of before I get it on. What time is it? It’s game time!
While we try to maintain ourselves productive during the enhanced community quarantine, we also search for things out of the ordinary. And ESPN’s decision to release the long-awaited documentary on a much earlier date than its original airing schedule could not have been any better. Finally! Sports fans from around the world have something to look forward to while leagues are in hiatus. And it’s not just a regular sports docudrama, it is expected to be a jaw-dropping revelation especially for the young adult viewers.
The Last Dance is a 10-part documentary series featuring the legendary Chicago Bulls of the 90s. The first two episodes have been aired on ESPN and via Netflix last April 20 at 3:01 p.m. Manila time. Netflix released the first two episodes - needing to wait for another week for the next two until May 18 to complete all ten parts.
A man on his back was featured in the first running seconds of episode one. He’s sitting alone facing a large glass window - holding a lighted victory cigar as he watches the horizon and the blue skies. The film did not immediately reveal the face because there was no need for it. His perfect shaped bald head is so popular that even just a shadow of it is still highly recognizable. He’s wearing his signature shoe brand in white. The man was the big difference why the 90s Bulls became a dynasty. This man is Michael Jordan.
It started in a slow pace but Director Jason Hehir did a great job in letting the viewers visualize the roots of the team by going deeper in the history of the organization and its main players. It described how the former general manager was able to successfully put up a fitting team that dominated the 90s and on the other hand he was also able to dismantle a great dynasty at the end.
The moment the music played Alan Parsons’ Sirius (Bulls’ intro music) created goosebumps. Whenever I hear this song, it makes me think of how wonderful and victorious the 90s was.
As nostalgic as it gets, the documentary series is also suitable for the 30-year-olds, the 25-year-olds, the 20-year-olds, and the teens who did not get the chance to watch Michael Jordan play in the NBA. For sure, a lot of youngsters will finally understand why MJ is the greatest of all time after watching all the 10-part series. The series also featured Michael’s first injury as a professional basketball player. And it is during at this time while he was recuperating when he started to question some of the management’s approach to the game and to the franchise.
The shocking revelation about the first two episodes was not about GM Jerry Krause - surprisingly, it was about the team’s “Robin” - Scottie Pippen. Part 2 detailed how Pippen became the one of the most underpaid superstars in the NBA. Nobody can deny the quality contribution of Scottie for the team who significantly helped them win their six championships. Even Michael Jordan said that if people would talk about him, they should also speak of Scottie Pippen - naming his sidekick “the best teammate he ever played with.”
The next episodes (3 and 4) will be released on April 27 in the Philippines.
***
Kuya J Pelayo IV is a Kapampangan broadcast journalist. For comments and suggestions, e-mail at 4th.pelayo@gmail.com