The Last Dance
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The voice of the narrator changes, but the mediation and sanitized-for-your-protection experience doesnt.
And yet it doesnt undo what works aboutThe Last Dance.
The more team-oriented parts ofThe Last Dancework as straightforward and intermittently thrilling sports storytelling.
But there is only so much time and this is Jordans show.
On film as on the court, his presence means fewer touches for everyone else.
Its the Jordan stuff that requires a bit more flexibility from the viewer.
is mentioned, as is the fact that Jordan never spoke toSports Illustratedever again.
To say thatThe Last Dancedismisses this would be an understatement.
Its also useful at showing us how Michael Jordan understands his own story.
In the ways that matter, its not.
He just wasnt an essential player, and the team would release him at the end of the season.
But Burrell was just another bit player in Jordans singular lifelong quest to mint rivals whenever and wherever required.
This has long been the official story on Michael Jordan, The Teammate.
Theyve made their peace regarding what Jordan took and what he gave.
In Episode VII, Jordan tries to do the same.
I pulled people along when they didnt want to be pulled.
For what its worth, none of Jordans former teammates argue with that point.
The bigger question the episode asks is whether it was worth it.
Was he a nice guy?
former Bulls guard B.J.
He couldnt have been nice.
With that kind of mentality he had, he couldnt be a nice guy.
Everyone but Jordan has long been content to leave it there.
Jordan being Jordan, though, and this being his show, he presses his case.
Its another loss he just cant accept.
But thats you, because you never won anything.
I wanted to win, but I wanted them to be a part of it as well.
Hehir here gives us big swelling music over various images of Jordan triumphing.
Look, I dont have to do this, Jordan says.
Im doing it because this is who I am.
Thats how I played the game.
He starts, at that moment, to get choked up about how committed he is.
If you dont want to play that way, dont play that way.
And then he calls break and leans forward out of frame.
And Hehir cuts, just where Jordan tells him to.
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