Marty Supreme is a film filled with humor, drama, sports action and over-the-top situations. Yet at its core, the Josh Safdie-directed film is about one man’s pursuit of greatness within the world of athletics. Lead actor Timothée Chalamet – who’s been honest about wanting to be great – seemed to connect with his character, Marty Mauser, in that ambitious respect. Considering Chalamet’s own drive, I’m not too surprised he was able to slide into this role, but what I didn’t expect was for him to share that Michael Jordan inspired his approach.

When it comes to professional athletes, Michael Jordan remains a revered individual for his incredible drive and determination, which helped make the ‘90s-era Chicago Bulls the team to beat in the NBA. Timothée Chalamet expressed his own reverence for Jordan while appearing on an episode of 7PM in Brooklyn (which is on YouTube). During the interview, talk eventually turned to comparing successes amongst different disciplines, leading Chalamet to share his experience with a certain basketball documentary:

A ten-part docuseries, 2020’s The Last Dance chronicles the Bulls’ 1997-1998 season, which culminates in them winning their sixth, and as of this writing, final championship. The show (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription) also provides an in-depth look at MJ’s mentality and arguably exemplifies just why he’s considered one of the strongest athletes to ever live. The show received acclaim amid its debut, and it ultimately won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

I may not have been expecting Chalamet to bring up Jordan when discussing how Marty Supreme came together, but it actually does make sense. First and foremost, Chalamet is a big basketball fan, so much so that he’d love to play Ernie Johnson in an Inside the NBA biopic. Secondly, Jordan approached his work with a considerable amount of dedication and intensity, which can also be said of Marty Mauser’s devotion to table tennis. While speaking to the notion of possibly being “too intense” on set, Chalamet also made an argument:

The late Kobe Bryant did indeed have that same level of intensity, and part of that was born out of him studying Michael Jordan’s game and mentality. It’s easy to say that served Bryant well, and the same can be said about Chalamet’s preparation for Marty Supreme, which has been praised. Chalamet himself has also been lauded for his performance and has already scooped up a Critics’ Choice Award and been honored amongst the 2026 Golden Globe winners.

While it’s fair to say that Marty Mauser is a relatively terrible person, his drive is undeniable, and his never-say-die mindset is definitely on par with that of Michael Jordan and other great athletes. At this point, I can imagine Timothée Chalamet continuing to channel Jordan in the way that he approaches his work. See the fruits of his labor in his latest film by seeing Marty Supreme, which is now playing in theaters.

Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan were one of the most dominant duos on the basketball court and, together, they led the Chicago Bulls to six championship wins during the ‘90s. In recent years, fans have received a bit more insight into the off-court relationship between the two men, with Pippen revealing they “never were great friends.” The hall-of-fame small forward reiterated that sentiment during a recent interview. He also discussed where he now stands with Jordan following the controversy over the docuseries The Last Dance.

For those who aren’t in the know, Scottie Pippen initially claimed he wasn’t upset over the previously mentioned ESPN limited series, which Michael Jordan’s media company had editorial control over. However, Pippen later shared blunt thoughts on the Emmy-winning, 10-part show in his 2021 memoir, Unguarded, and proceeded to bash Jordan. Pippen shared more tempered thoughts on his former teammate (as well as their coach, Phil Jackson) when he sat down with Marca to discuss the game of basketball:

Pippen previously accused MJ of using his company’s editorial control to make the doc more about himself and not as much about his teammates. A while later, Pippen called Jordan a “horrible” player, who has supposedly had a negative impact on the way basketball is now played. Many have since criticized the Arkansas native’s remarks, including Charles Barkley, who accused Pippen of “big-game hunting” to sell his book. Before his death, even Jerry West also expressed disapproval and confusion over the critiques.

Despite the negative comments he shared, Scottie Pippen also praised His Airness on multiple occasions. In 2022, Pippen was asked if he’d ever play with Michael Jordan again, and he flat-out said he would play “with only” Jordan. Pippen complimented Jordan again in early 2024 when he mentioned the five NBA MVP awards he won over the course of his career. While Pippen said it “was all brought about from us being successful as a team,” he also admitted Jordan was the “greatest player” in basketball.

The Jordan/Pippen relationship remains on the rocks, though, based on the latter’s recent comments. All the while, other people have expressed their hope that the two men might find some common ground and reconcile. One of their former teammates, Craig Hodges, shared such sentiments, as he reasoned that everyone is now “too grown for that shit.” Fellow Bulls alum Dennis Rodman also expressed hope that his two former on-court partners would bury the hatchet.

As time continues to pass, my optimism over the chances of Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan making amends dwindles. More surprising developments have unfolded, though, and a kumbaya moment may not be totally out of the question. But, for now, it seems Jordan and Pippen – two of the 75 greatest basketball players of all time – will remain estranged.

Those who’d like to see the formidable Chicago Bulls duo at their best can check out The Last Dance. A Netflix subscription is what’s needed in order to stream the production

While Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were once one of the most feared duos in the NBA, their off-court relationship has since fizzled out. Pippen and Jordan have been engaged in a (mostly one-sided) feud for several years now. That spat was set in motion after Pippen revealed his feelings about the docuseries The Last Dance (which is streamable with a Netflix subscription). It’s hard to say if Jordan and Pippen will ever reconcile but, all the while, one of their ex-teammates has a take on how it could happen.

The latest Chicago Bulls alum to share thoughts on the Jordan/Pippen feud is Horace Grant, who not only played with the duo but also won three championships with them between 1991 and 1993. Pippen and Jordan’s relationship came up during Grant’s appearance on the Gimme the Hot Sauce Podcast, which is co-hosted by fellow Bulls alum Stacey King. When asked what it would take for the two hall of famers to get on good terms again, Grant opined that both would have to move past their pride:

Based on Horace Grant’s comments (which are on YouTube), the NBA All Star would like to see his teammates put all of the drama behind him. Grant further emphasized his point as the interview went on, as he made mention of all that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen accomplished together during their days as players. (That included a whopping six championships.) It’s likely that Grant isn’t the only person who feels this way, as surely there are fans who’d love to see the basketball icons patch everything up.

The Pippen/Jordan feud began in earnest when the latter criticized The Last Dance (which Grant also disliked) and blasted his teammate for allegedly using his production company’s creative control on the doc to make himself look good. Since then, Pippen has thrown shade at Jordan on a number of occasions, even going as far as calling him a “horrible” player. Jordan has not spoken ill of his ex-teammate in public since then though, as far as the public knows, he hasn’t made attempts to reach out to Pippen.

A number of Bulls teammates have since spoken out about the feud, with one being Dennis Rodman. In 2023, Rodman expressed his belief that his buddies would eventually squash their beef. However, in 2022, fellow Chicago Bulls alum Charles Oakley declared that friendship was “over” and claimed it “wasn't great from the get-go.” Meanwhile, another former Chicago player, Bill Cartwright, called the whole situation “nonsense” earlier this year, given that the two players were still dwelling on something that happened decades ago.

Considering where everything stands right now, a “kumbaya” moment of sorts doesn’t seem to be in the cards for either Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen at this point. There’s always the chance that some force manages to bring them together. Whether that would be a natural change of heart and removal of pride (as Horace Grant suggests) is anyone’s guess.

It’s still hard for me to believe it’s already been over five years since The Last Dance – ESPN’s 10-part docuseries on the ‘90s-era Chicago Bulls – hit the airwaves. A hit amid the COVID lockdown, Jason Hehir’s documentary earned acclaim from critics and fans and even won a Primetime Emmy. However, the show also drew the ire of some former Bulls players, who felt they were either unfairly depicted or not featured enough. Horace Grant expressed his disdain early on, and it seems he still has less-than-stellar thoughts now.

Horace Grant was drafted by the Bulls in 1987 and ultimately played for the organization until he left to join the Orlando Magic in 1994. During his time in Chicago, Grant was part of the Bulls’ three, consecutive championship runs between 1991 and 1993. So, considering his place in the NBA franchise’s history, it made perfect sense for Grant to appear in The Last Dance. However, as the former player himself revealed on former teammate Stacey King’s Gimme the Hot Sauce Podcast, he almost didn’t join the project:

During the interview (which is on YouTube), the three-time NBA champion went on to say that he only participated in the documentary as a favor to a friend. Grant ultimately wasn’t too pleased with the way the project turned out. More specifically, Grant took issue with Michael Jordan’s claims that he leaked locker room information to journalist Sam Smith, who would go on to write a much-discussed book in 1991, The Jordan Rules. Grant shared more critiques during his recent interview, as he took aim at how the show was edited:

The initial responses from Bulls players were somewhat mixed, with Steve Kerr sharing a more positive take on the show. However, Kerr’s view does match up with Horace Grant’s and Stacey King’s in one respect, as they all weren’t pleased with how ex-teammate Scottie Pippen was portrayed. The doc puts emphasis on Pippen’s decision to delay off-season surgery on his foot so that his summer wouldn’t be impacted. Some believe the doc makes Pippen out to be selfish, and Grant believes it doesn’t do his old friend justice:

Scottie Pippen himself initially claimed he had no problem with the docuseries. However, he later skewered the documentary and Michael Jordan in his memoir, Unguarded. Pippen contended that because Michael Jordan’s media company had final say editorially, Jordan used the doc to “uplift” himself and not give others their deserved credit. Since then, Jordan and Pippen have been estranged. In that time, CinemaBlend also spoke with Last Dance producer Jake Rogal, who felt “bad” about the situation and said he believed Pippen was made to look like a “hero.”

Horace Grant’s latest comments as well as Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s continued estrangement seem to suggest that sometimes time doesn’t heal all wounds. In any case, though, everyone is entitled to their thoughts on The Last Dance. Fans can form their own opinions on the doc by streaming it with a Netflix subscription.

The past several years have yielded some truly spectacular sports documentaries, including several centered around the game of basketball. One of the latest to be released is the 2025 TV schedule entry Celtics City. A two-part series (that’s streamable on Max), it chronicles the history of the titular, Boston-based NBA team. There are interviews from those who played for the team and those who competed against it. In terms of the latter, though, legendary player Isiah Thomas isn’t involved, and we can thank The Last Dance.

Isiah Thomas famously played against the Larry Bird-led Celtics during the ‘80s and early ‘90s, and those matchups were chippy, to say the least. So it would’ve made sense for him to appear in the recently released doc. However, during an interview with Sirius XM (as shared on X), the two-time NBA champion explained that he was hesitant to participate over fear of being “set up.” He candidly expanded on those feelings:

Affectionately known as “Zeke” by fans, the former point guard was the driving force behind the Detroit Pistons of the ‘80s and ‘90s, who were known as “The Bad Boys.” The group (who I think are a team who could serve as the basis of a big-budget TV drama) became notorious for their rough style of play, which many considered to be dirty in some respects. Aside from the Celtics, the Pistons were also fierce rivals of the Chicago Bulls, who were led by Michael Jordan, hence Mr. Thomas’ participation in Last Dance.

One of the major sections of the Emmy-winning Bulls documentary centers around the team’s meeting with the defending champion Pistons in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. Said playoff series infamously ended with the Detroit team being swept and most of the players leaving, with time left on the clock in Game, without shaking hands with their opponents. That footage paired with clips of Michael Jordan playing against the physicality-minded Pistons players elicited visceral responses in viewers. It even got to the point that Jordan fans mistakenly targeted NBA player Isaiah Thomas after watching the doc.

Believe it or not, I actually had the opportunity to speak with Jake Rogal, who served as a producer on The Last Dance (which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription. We didn’t discuss Isiah Thomas’ contempt for the way he was portrayed, though I did ask the documentarian if he’d alter anything about the 10-part series if he could. Rogal, respectfully, said he wouldn’t change anything about the doc.

Regardless of how anyone feels about Isiah Thomas and how he was portrayed in the 2020 doc, the 12-time All-Star is entitled to his opinion. He also surely had the right to choose not to be a part of the Celtics show. Nevertheless, I’d be lying if I said the production wouldn’t have been better for having an interview with Thomas.

If you haven’t already, check out both parts of Celtics City now, and dive into The Last Dance as well if you’ve yet to see it.

To say that The Last Dance captured the hearts and minds of viewers upon its debut would be an understatement. For weeks, viewers – both sports fans and casual viewers alike – watched the exploits of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and the rest of the ‘90s-era Chicago Bulls. It’s anyone’s guess whether the docuseries changed the way the public viewed the team. What I know for sure, however, is that producer Jake Rogal told CinemaBlend he’s still riding high off the experience and that it changed his life in a few chuckleworthy ways.

While Jake Rogal was promoting his latest doc, Court of Gold (a recent release on Netflix’s 2025 schedule), I had the opportunity to speak with him. As a fan, I couldn’t help but ask about his recollections of The Last Dance’s release in 2020. Rogal admitted that it still somewhat feels like a “dream,” but he definitely still relishes not only the whirlwind of the release but the making of the production as well:

The 10-part basketball doc was going to be released during the summer of 2020 following the NBA season that year. However, Disney and ESPN moved up the release date as a way of providing entertainment for the masses amid the quarantine brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Director Jason Hehir’s docuseries was met with high ratings and critical acclaim, which was parlayed into a follow-up special. I’m just a fan, but that turbulent period of time even feels like a blur to me too. So I understand where the producer is coming from.

When it comes to how Jake Rogal’s life has changed since, the likely assumption would be that his profile as a documentarian has risen and that he can now say he’s contributed to an Emmy-winning doc. It would seem that there are a few side effects of the project that’s proven to be more personal for Rogal. As he humorously explained, one of them has to do with something that’s become synonymous with NBA GOAT Michael Jordan:

There is indeed still a lot of interest in the Bulls of yesteryear, especially Michael Jordan, who remains a pop culture icon today. I’d argue that the doc helped reignite interest in not just the Chicago teams of the ‘90s but the NBA of that era as a whole. You can chalk that up to excellent archive footage and excellent anecdotes from Charles Barkley, John Stockton and more. The doc also perfectly celebrates and encapsulates the culture of the decade. I mean, it even features the seemingly ageless Carmen Electra after all.

If I were in Jake Rogal’s shoes (which may or may not be Air Jordans), I’d probably be looking at people’s kicks as well after making that doc. His comments speak to the lasting impact that the project has on him, and I hope he continues to relish his memories of The Last Dance. Check out the doc for yourself now using a Netflix subscription and, while you’re at it, stream Court of Gold as well as other sports documentaries worth checking out.

In some ways, it’s hard to believe it’s been nearly five years since The Last Dance premiered. ESPN’s Chicago Bulls-centered docuseries was a much-needed treat during the COVID quarantine in 2020, and it scored high ratings as well as acclaim from fans and pundits alike. Someone who wasn’t pleased with the 10-part show was Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, who criticized both it and former teammate Michael Jordan. CinemaBlend just spoke with one of the producers, who shared his feelings on the backlash and more.

Scottie Pippen initially denied reports that he was “livid” over the doc, though he later revealed that he told Michael Jordan (whose production company had creative control) he “wasn’t too pleased,” and they haven’t spoken since. That was in 2020 and, by late 2021, Pippen shared blunter thoughts on the doc in his memoir, Unguarded. He claimed the production merely “glorified” Jordan while not giving other players their due credit. Pippen also asserted that the production made him look selfish.

Jake Rogal was among several producers on Last Dance (which can currently be streamed with a Netflix subscription). I had the opportunity to speak with Rogal while he was promoting the newly released docuseries he directed, Court of Gold. When I asked for his take on the former small forward’s sentiments, Rogal admitted to feeling “bad” about them. He also explained why he didn’t believe the documentary painted the six-time NBA champion in a negative light:

The allegations of selfishness specifically pertained to the Bulls’ 1997-1998 season, during which Scottie Pippen intentionally delayed ankle surgery. Said move was made so that his summer offseason wouldn’t be filled with rehabilitation activities, though it also delayed his availability to the team until well into the regular season. Fans have long debated the merits of Pippen’s decision but, in the decades following that, the basketball hall of famer has been praised for his heroics on the court and contributions to both the Bulls and the game of basketball. Jake Rogal’s comments exemplify the sort of praise Pippen still receives.

Of course, Scottie Pippen wasn’t the only former player who took issue with the series. Former Bulls player Horace Grant, who was interviewed for the doc, called out the “so-called documentary,” in which His Airness accused him of leaking locker room secrets. Fellow interviewee Steve Kerr was mostly fine with the doc, though he was also somewhat "disappointed" by how Pippen was depicted. With all of this in mind, I asked the co-producer if there’s anything he’d change about the production, and he provided an honest answer:

Jake Rogal’s belief that nothing needed to be changed is hard to argue with, especially considering that the doc that was ultimately released scored a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Still, whether someone liked it or not, they’re entitled to their opinion. As for Scottie Pippen, he's also free to have whatever opinion he desires.

Make up your own mind on The Last Dance by streaming it on Netflix now. Know that on that same platform, you’ll also find the recently released six-part docuseries Court of Gold, a “full access” production that follows men’s basketball teams during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

When it comes to consequential and controversial baseball players from the 20th century, or the history of the sport for that matter, few names carry as much weight as Pete Rose. That legacy, both the good and the bad, was perfectly detailed in the four-part HBO documentary, Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose, which is currently available to anyone with a Max subscription. 

But, you probably know that by now and chances are, you’re looking for similar documentaries that touch on similar athletes, topics, and scandals. Well, worry not, because we’ve put together a rundown of 10 great documentaries that should do the trick. Some of these are what you could consider the best sports films of all time.

4192: The Crowning Of The Hit King (2010)

Released in 2010, Terry Lukemire’s 4192: The Crowning of the Hit King tells the story of how Pete Rose became the most prolific hitter in Major League history on the night of September 11, 1985, the night he broke what was long considered an unbreakable record. 

Unlike Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose, which focused a lot of its time on the Cincinnati Reds legend being banned from baseball and his quest to be reinstated, this documentary, which J.K. Simmons narrates, primarily centers on that historic night in question. If you want more of a focus on the on-field action, this is the way to go.

Rent/Buy 4192: The Crowning of the Hit King on Amazon.

Ken Burns' Baseball (1994)

Ken Burns’ 1994 hours-long documentary, simply titled Baseball, is without a doubt the most ambitious, thorough, and enlightening exploration of America’s pastime to ever hit the small screen. Split up into nine parts (each is described as an inning), Burns’ film dives deep into the history of the sport from its early days in the 19th century up until 1992, detailing figures like Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, and Pete Rose and the “Big Red Machine” Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s.

Stream Ken Burns’ Baseball on Hoopla.
Buy Ken Burns’ Baseball on Amazon.

Say Hey, Willie Mays! (2022)

If you want to take a deep dive into the life, career, and legacy of one of the most important baseball players, and American athletes, of all time, then it’s time to check out Say Hey, Willie Mays!, the 2023 HBO documentary about the trailblazing hall of famer. Directed by Nelson George, this emotional and entertaining documentary paints a loving portrait of the late New York / San Francisco Giant, who helped change the sport and pop culture in general during his 23-season career. 

Though not nearly as long as Charlie Hustle, this impactful film makes the most of its 99-minute runtime to create a unique and unforgettable experience.

Stream Say Hey, Willie Mays! on Max.

The Captain (2022)

In addition to being involved with some of the best SNL sketches with athletes and showing up in one of the best Seinfeld episodes, New York Yankees legend and hall of famer Derek Jeter was also the center of a rather engaging 2022 ESPN documeseries. Titled, The Captain, the seven-part series charts Jeter’s story from his childhood and early days as a promising baseball player to being the centerpiece of one of the biggest dynasties in American sports history.

Similar to Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose, the series also dives into the personality of its subject, one that is beloved by certain fans and detested by so many others.

Stream The Captain on ESPN+.

O.J.: Made In America (2016)

One of the best true crime shows, O.J.: Made in America is part sports documenary and part exploration of American culture throughout the latter part of the 20th century. Sure, O.J. Simpson, his hall of fame career, pop culture presence, and his part in the “trial of the century” are all major parts of this Oscar-winning epic, but it’s about so much more than that.

Released nearly a decade before O.J. Simpson passed away at 76, it peels back the layers of his life and place in a complicated and dangerous world. You’ll learn a lot about the “Jucie” but you’ll learn even more about the world in which he lived and which created him.

Stream O.J. Made in America on Netflix.
Buy O.J. Made in America on Amazon.

Arnold (2023)

Like Pete Rose, Arnold Schwarzenegger has what can best be described as a complicated life. The bodybuilder-turned-actor is one of the most decorated action stars of the 20th century and is known around the world thanks to his classic one-liners and box office dominance, but there’s also much more to his story.

This is told throughout Arnold, a 2023 Netflix documentary series that looks deep into the soul of the Hollywood legend and begins to piece together the man behind the legend.

Stream Arnold on Netflix.

No No: A Dockumentary (2014)

If you’re looking for colorful characters and wild stories from 1970s baseball, look no further than No No: A Dockumentary. Released in 2014, Jeff Radice’s documentary tells the story of Dock Ellis, the late Pittsburgh Pirates catcher best known for throwing a no-hitter under the influence of LSD. Yeah, this one is wild, but it also goes beyond just covering the legendary feat and paints a lovely portrait of the man behind the legend and the remarkable life he led after his career ended.

Stream No No: A Dockumentary on Prime Video.

The Last Dance (2020)

Yeah, The Last Dance is primarily about Michael Jordan and his six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, but this legendary 2020 docuseries is also about how members of the iconic team became ingrained in the culture of Chicago and America as a whole. Much like Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose, this ESPN doc is full of in-depth and entertaining interviews with sports gods, and you may be wondering who has the bigger ego: Pete Rose or Michael Jordan.

Stream The Last Dance on Netflix.
Buy The Last Dance on Amazon.

Once Upon A Time In Queens (2021)

One of the great 30 for 30 documentaries, Once Upon a Time in Queens tells the story of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets, and the raucous group of big leaguers who made the team so much fun to watch. A perfect balance of on-field action and behind-the-scenes drama involving the likes of Darryl Strawberry, Keith Hernandez, and manager Davey Johnson, this multi-part documentary is a must for baseball fans and anyone who loves a wild story.

Stream Once Upon a Time in Queens on ESPN+.
Buy Once Upon a Time in Queens on Amazon.

Long Gone Summer (2020)

Many of us either didn’t live through Pete Rose’s career and fall from grace or were too young to understand the importance of his lifetime ban from baseball following his betting scandal, but a lot of us were there in the summer of 1998 to witness the epic home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to break Roger Maris’ all-time single-season record. 

The 2020 ESPN documentary, Long Gone Summer recounts that monumental season as well as the fallout of the massive steroid scandal that has essentially left two of the biggest sluggers of all time out of the Hall of Fame. A must watch for any baseball fan.

Stream Long Gone Summer on ESPN+.
Buy Long Gone Summer on Amazon.

Each of these documentaries have a little something in common with Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose. But, if you’re looking for even more diamond gems, check out our lineup of the best baseball movies.

There’s no question that The Last Dance is one of the best docuseries ever, and its documentation of the Chicago Bulls 1997-1998 championship season is dramatic and compelling. However, a new sports docuseries has started airing on the 2024 TV schedule from Apple TV+ about the New England Patriots' dynasty. And I have to say, if you are looking for the drama, The Dynasty: New England Patriots is where it’s at.

Currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Dynasty: New England Patriots is teed up to be one of Apple TV+’s best shows as it tells the story of the NFL team that spans two decades and six Super Bowl championships under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick, star quarterback Tom Brady, and team owner Robert Kraft.

If you are at all aware of the Patriots’ history, which I was not before this, then you likely know that telling this story would naturally be more dramatic than The Last Dance.

While the story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls is 100% dramatic and includes moments of intense personal tragedy and wild stories about teammates, its primary conflict has to do with the star player, his relationships with the team and the pressure to keep winning. Bigger drama has cropped up after The Last Dance with Jordan and Scottie Pippen. However, in the hit show, the points of contention really didn’t go far past the interpersonal relationships within the Bulls organization.

A story like this is on display in The Dynasty. Tom Brady and his rise to become the starting quarterback for the Pats over Drew Bledsoe and his competitiveness as a player are integral to the story. Also, the pressure to keep winning Super Bowls and be the best is a theme that runs through this docuseries, much like The Last Dance.

However, where this Apple TV+ series overtakes things in the drama department is in how it depicts the scandal and breaking news that has involved the Patriots over the last 20 years.

For example, in Episode 4, the story of Spygate is told in great detail. After winning three Super Bowls, the Pats were caught filming defensive calls of their opponents. This caused a massive investigation, and the documentary did not hold back in explaining how serious it was, the impact it had on the NFL and how it changed the image of the team. They also showed team members and even Bill Belichick talking (or refusing to talk about) the manner.

This was just one episode of the docuseries, the storyline about Bledsoe’s injury and Brady taking over was also intense. Plus, we haven’t gotten to the episodes that address the scandal Deflategate and the national story about the late Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of murder. Overall, the history and story of the New England Patriots is long, dark at times, extremely complex and dramatic. And clearly, people are loving it, hence the Rotten Tomatoes score.

To see what I’m talking about, you can stream the acclaimed The Dynasty: The New England Patriots with an Apple TV+ subscription, and you can catch pairs of new episodes every Friday.

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were one of the most imposing duos on the basketball court during their days as Chicago Bulls players and seemed to have a tight bond. However, that relationship seems to be no more at this point. Pippen and Jordan have been engaged in a (one-sided) feud over the past few years, which was partially sparked by the docuseries The Last Dance. Per reports, the pair have not spoken in a few years and, as of right now, fans have been wondering whether the two might make amends. On that note, their former teammate, Dennis Rodman, weighed in on whether the two might ever squash their beef.

Dennis Rodman – best known as “The Worm” during his days as a player – was one of the wildest personalities in the National Basketball Association back in the day. While he may still have some of his eccentricities today, he’s also known to provide honest and cerebral thoughts here and there. The basketball hall of famer was recently asked about the Emmy-winning ESPN documentary series and, during the chat, he fielded a question about his two teammates. Rodman said he never say any negativity within the Jordan/Pippen dynamic years ago, before saying whether he thinks they’ll resolve their differences: 

Overall, the comments the five-time NBA champion shared with TMZ are reasonable. This also isn’t the first time he’s ever commented on the rift between his former comrades. When Dennis Rodman first commented on the feud, he similarly surmised that Scottie Pippen felt “hurt” over his depiction in The Last Dance. He also opined that Pippen wanted the level of recognition that Michael Jordan has received over the course of his career. On that note, Rodman has since praised Pippen, crediting him for helping to revolutionize the small forward position. Rodman’s optimistic thoughts may be somewhat comforting for fans, but it’s hard to say whether that prediction will become a reality given what’s gone down. 

Scottie Pippen initially denied having had any issues with how he was portrayed in The Last Dance. However, in his memoir, Unguarded, he shared more thoughts on it as well as Michael Jordan and didn’t mince words. Pippen admitted to being “upset” by the docuseries and claimed Jordan – who had creative control on the project – simply “glorified” himself. Since making those declarations, Pippen has taken more jabs at his old teammate, even going so far as to say he “ruined” the game of basketball. 

A number of notable NBA alums have weighed in on the matter, including several notable Bulls alums. One such person who did that was Charles Oakley, who offered a grim take on the duo’s friendship moving forward. Not only did Oakley think “it's over” but he also claimed it “wasn't great from the get-go.” 

Those who are like me are probably hoping Dennis Rodman’s assumption will ultimately be correct. It goes without saying that a lot of damage has seemingly been done, and it could theoretically be difficult for the pair to find common ground at this point. Still, I’d like to believe it’s possible for the two beloved NBA greats to find some common ground.

Those who want to check out The Last Dance for themselves to hear from the three Bulls players can grab a Netflix subscription and stream it.

Upon premiering three years ago, Michael Jordan’s docuseries, The Last Dance, had an impact on the career of several stars from the 1990s, including R&B singer Kenny Lattimore. Serving as Jordan’s motivational music during his final time at the NBA Finals, Lattimore did see a boost in record sales. Now, the “For You” singer recalled how his phone blew up over the earth-shattering docuseries and what it was like to meet the NBA legend before then.

The ESPN/ABC limited series exposed the five-time NBA champ’s love for Lattimore. The performer called Jordan his biggest supporter with fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley reportedly saying he was “single-handedly marketing” the singer throughout the NBA. So, Lattimore was bound to make an appearance in the series after clearing his music for usage. However, his effect on MJ didn’t hit the singer until The Last Dance started airing. Of course, he was surprised by Jordan’s fandom, but he wasn’t the only one. The award-winning singer revealed to the Jemele Hill Is Unbothered podcast the responses he got after his episode aired, saying:

The response isn’t surprising given most athletes listen to hard-hitting and energetic music like rap or rock to get pumped up before hitting the court. So, having a basketball legend like Michael Jordan pick up Kenny Lattimore as his go-to pregame music speaks volumes about Jordan’s mindset. However, the reactions didn’t stop with his phone. Lattimore opened up about the online love he received from fans and industry peers alike, explaining:

At least, the R&B singer embraced the fun and love as fans and celebrities gained a new appreciation for his music. However, The Last Dance wasn’t Lattimore’s first interaction with Michael Jordan. The musician mentioned the first time he knew Jordan was a huge fan early in his career, saying:

Lattimore’s first interaction with the NBA legend wasn’t the best, but it wouldn’t be his last time. The “Never Too Busy” singer recalled Jordan requesting him for a launch event too, leading to a special moment between the two men:

Like any avid music fan, Michael Jordan proved he was a real fan by choosing an album cut for Kenny Lattimore to perform. That’s how you know Lattimore was a steady part of MJ’s music rotation. The sports documentary thrust the performer back into the mainstream following his 1990s heyday, which he has fully embraced, kind of like the effect it had on Carmen Electra’s career.

If you want to watch Michael Jordan profess his love for Kenny Lattimore’s music, just go back and watch The Last Dance through a Hulu subscription. After re-watching the ESPN docuseries, find out what upcoming TV premieres are happening this summer.

The (one-sided) feud between Chicago Bulls legends Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan has been well-documented by this point. Through the memoir that he released last year, Pippen didn’t mince words when discussing his displeasure with ESPN’s backlash-inducing docuseries The Last Dance and more. The drama between the two has mostly settled down as of late, though there’s been a new development that may or may not draw a response from Pippen. Apparently, the former player’s ex-wife was spotted with Jordan’s son – during what appeared to be a “double date.”

Larsa Pippen and Marcus Jordan enjoyed each other’s company during an outing in Miami this past Sunday. Photos obtained by TMZ reveal that the two had lunch at Zuma, a Japanese restaurant in the city and were seemingly accompanied by another couple. Now, it should be made clear that we cannot say with complete certainty that the two are indeed on a date, especially since the news outlet notes that there was no clear PDA between them. But based on the photos, it’s hard to totally dismiss the notion of their excursion being a date of sorts. 

Larsa Pippen married Scottie Pippen in 1997, and the couple share four children. The 48-year-old Real Housewives of Miami star first split from the hall of famer in 2016, before they eventually reconciled. By 2018, however, the two separated again and eventually sought to formally end their marriage. The divorce was finalized in 2021, and Larsa has since been linked to a number of other ball players, which could lend credibility to the rumor that she’s dating the son of her ex’s teammate. 

Marcus Jordan is the second oldest son of His Airness and a former high school and college basketball player. (Like his siblings, he was also interviewed for The Last Dance.) It’s honestly not often that one of the Jordan siblings is in the news, especially not for something like this. And regardless of whether Jordan actually was on a date with the reality TV vet, the timing of the outing is pretty wild. 

Since last year, Scottie Pippen has made a number of comments about Michael Jordan. At one point, Pippen called himself a better teammate and, on another occasion, he asserted that Jordan “ruined” the game of basketball. Interestingly though, months ago, Pippen stated that he would still play with Jordan again if such a situation ever arose.

Scottie Pippen’s remarks earned the attention of quite a few major names in the basketball world. Charles Barkley clapped back at Pippen, claiming that he was merely “big-game hunting” in order to sell his memoir. Charles Oakley, a former teammate, also spoke out after Pippen claimed he was as “great” as Air Jordan. 

So with all of that in mind, a supposed romance between Marcus Jordan and Larsa Pippen would be messy, to say the least. Still, every person connected to this situation is an adult and could handle this in a mature and rational way. We’ll just have to wait and see if we get more clarity on the matter.

In the meantime, those interested in watching The Last Dance can stream it using a Netflix subscription.

Carmen Electra made a name for herself when she starred on Baywatch and wore the iconic red swimsuit that is still in the pop culture lexicon years later. More recently, though, she became a prominent topic once more when she appeared in The Last Dance and had seemed to age very little. With the newfound notice, Ms. Electra took herself to OnlyFans and now is making a killing on the platform; she recently opened up about why she “loves” the work. 

OnlyFans is a content creation platform that has helped loads of celebrities make an extra buck or – more accurately – millions of bucks. While the former Baywatch star hasn’t been open about how much money she’s made on the platform thus far, there is one thing she’s absolutely loving about the gig, with the TV star noting, “there's no one telling you what to do; I'm my own boss.” 

She also opened up about the creative freedoms she feels the platform has allowed h

In general, OnlyFans has been a place known for nudity –see former Teen Wolf star Tyler Posey’s profile – and curiosities – see a 90 Day Fiancé star selling fart jars for cash. But from what Carmen Electra shared with Fox News, the platform has given her major boss lady mojo, and has allowed her to be a curator of her own brand and content in a way she hasn’t really been able to explore before as a model or actress. It makes sense, too, as we know Carmen Electra searches went up after her viral The Last Dance appearance.

A subscription to the TV star's OnlyFans account is currently free; regardless, for VIP access, Ms. Electra requests a $150 tip. This is a bit of a different model than some other celebrities, including Bella Thorne, who have charged fans to view activity month-to-month.  

So, how did she get into this space? It's actually pretty simple, according to the Baywatch star. Over the course of her career, people have made suggestions about her next move, but in the case of OnlyFans all of the stars aligned. She also said: 

For a time, Carmen Electra would appear in an acting project here or there, but her last appearance in that sort of gig came in 2018. The fandom's interest was reignited in the 50-year-old star after an appearance in the Michael Jordon documentary in 2020, already the time OnlyFans was gaining in popularity (thanks to Beyoncé). The rest, as they say, is history. 

ESPN’s The Last Dance, which chronicled the dynamic Chicago Bulls basketball team in the 1990s, invoked a lot of huge moments in sports history. But at the same time, it stirred up quite the backlash from the likes of Scottie Pippen and other teammates who felt the narrative was unfairly slanted in Michael Jordan’s favor. Another, perhaps unintentional, side-effect of the docuseries was a renewed public interest in Carmen Electra after she made some interesting comments therein about her ex-husband Dennis Rodman’s previous activities. Since then, the 50-year-old has decided to join OnlyFans, and she’s sharing exactly why.

To be fair, though, Carmen Electra has been an icon in her own right long before, during and after the events of The Last Dance. She skyrocketed to sex symbol status in the late '80s with her turn on the original Baywatch series, which she sustained in the subsequent decades with various side roles in parody films (sometimes appearing as just her real-life self). However, nowadays, the actress is more interested in taking back some of her agency as it relates to her famed pop culture image. That’s where OnlyFans comes in. Electra shared to People:

Apparently, too, reclaiming her power is but an ongoing effort for the Scary Movie alum. Back in 2019, in fact, per Bloomberg Law, a federal court ruled in her favor to ban certain strip clubs that were using her image in promotional materials without her consent. The starlet has since told People that standing up for herself and her worth felt “really good.” She added that OnlyFans is her way of feeling more in “control” of her autonomy, saying:

Carmen Electra continued that her OnlyFans profile will feature content beyond just her body and appearance. There will be beauty tutorials, vacation shots and “intimate” interactions with her fanbase. But she isn’t against showing “a little more” than even her already revealing Instagram pics, either. One imagines those price tags will be a "little more" steep, as a result. (In case you didn’t know, even some less-notorious individuals are known to make millions of dollars on the site.)

Other stars from days of old have joined the explicit subscription service as well. Most notable accounts tend to be for ex-reality TV stars. But Eric Andre hilariously also started up an account at one point. Not to mention, former Teen Wolf actor Tyler Posey has used the platform as a way to open up about his sexuality.

Given how much of a splash Carmen Electra made just by her own candidness about Dennis Rodman’s infamous disappearance during the 1998 NBA Finals on The Last Dance (available for streaming with a Netflix subscription), an OnlyFans should be lite work. I mean, again, she’s been a sex symbol nearly all of her life. Her enthusiasm to join that one reality TV franchise, though? Well, maybe that’s another story for another time...

The Last Dance took the world by storm as fans (and detractors) got to see Michael Jordan’s journey with the Chicago Bulls in a different light. With all this renewed interest in the basketball legend, it was only a matter of time before another project as likely to pop up. This time, Hollywood besties Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will bring another take on the former basketball player to the big screen.

THR reported that the upcoming film will be a biopic based on the story of former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro with a story connected to His Airness. In the flick, Damon will star as the former marketing executive while Affleck playing the supporting role of Nike co-founder Phil Knight. This will be the first film for the friends since reuniting in last year’s The Last Duel.

The film will follow the story of Vaccaro as he goes on a mission to recruit the then-rising NBA superstar to be the face of the renowned sports brand during the mid-1980s. At the time, the shoe company was in third place. It will see him pursuing the basketball upstart’s inner circle, including former coaches, advisors, friends, and Michael Jordan’s strong-willed mother Deloris Jordan. Intriguingly, though the project is about a sneaker deal with Jordan, in it the NBA legend will never be seen as the flick focuses on the marketing executive accessing those around him.

Not only will the two a-listers co-star in the film but will write and produce it together. The Hollywood BFFs are currently reworking the original spec script penned by screenwriter Alex Convery. It marks the first time the duo has worked hand-in-hand since their Oscar-winning coming-of-age story Good Will Hunting. The project will mark another first for The Last Duel co-stars as Affleck will serve as director, which is the first time he's directed Damon for the big screen.

Along with the Good Will Hunting co-stars being involved, Mandalay Pictures’ Peter Guber and Jason Michael Berman will serve as producers on the sports biopic. The film will be a co-production between Mandalay and the newly formed Skydance Sports. The latter and Amazon Studios are currently finalizing the production deal.

A Last Dance personality was actually involved in securing the rights to the marketing genius’ story, as Skydance Sports president Jon Weinbach and Guber served as producers on the Emmy-winning docuseries. The ties to Sonny Vaccaro run even deeper, as Weinbach co-directed the 2015 ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Sole Man focusing about the former Nike executive’s life story. So, it appears the marketing biopic is in the right hands.

The Sonny Vaccaro biopic speaks to the popularity and impact of the Michael Jordan documentary. Its impact has helped revitalize the careers of 1990s staples like R&B singer Kenny Lattimore and model and actress Carmen Electra, who is looking into a reality TV career. But not everything has been rosy for Jordan as NBA vets like Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley have commented on their portrayal in the docuseries. That doesn’t mean His Airness has been silent on the issue after allegedly expressing his feelings over their opinions.

A production start or release date hasn’t been announced for the untitled sports biopic from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. In the meantime, you can relive all of the shocking interviews and moments by subscribing to Hulu or Netflix to stream The Last Dance.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over two years since ESPN’s The Last Dance aired and captivated (as well as frustrated) viewers around the country. The docuseries, which centers on the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, became appointment viewing during the early days of the COVID lockdown. Though it’s been a few years since its debut, the public is still seeing the fallout of the Emmy-winning show in the form of backlash from Scottie Pippen and more. Now, it would seem that we have a better idea of Michael Jordan’s feelings on the matter. 

Over the past several months, Scottie Pippen has been engaged in a (one-sided) feud with his former teammate, one that’s heavily due to The Last Dance. Via his memoir, Pippen opened up about watching the 10-part series, saying that he was “upset” by it and believed that it merely “glorified” the Jordan Brand founder. Pippen apparently told this to his former colleague and hasn't spoken to him since. Another player who was previously vocal about his displeasure was Horace Grant, who Michael Jordan accused of leaking locker room secrets back in the ‘90s. Grant clapped back, claiming that the hall of famer lied in the “so-called documentary.” 

His Airness hasn’t spoken publicly about the responses from his fellow Bulls alums. However, an interview that he did with veteran sports journalist Jackie MacMullan for her Icons Club podcast series may illuminate things. Though the chat didn’t focus squarely on the polarizing ESPN production, MacMullan explained on the Hoop Collective podcast that the former athlete seemed taken aback by the controversy:

If this is indeed the truth, then it’s a bit shocking. Those who are aware of Michael Jordan’s work both on and off the court know that he’s rarely rattled. Still, he is human and like any one of us, is capable of being shaken up or at the very least caught by surprise on something. 

The response to the series wasn’t all negative when it comes to former Bulls players, though. Steve Kerr admitted to not being 100% pleased with the way Scottie Pippen was portrayed but did enjoy the show overall. Kerr, now the coach of the Golden State Warriors, also humorously said he found it slightly “embarrassing” that he was featured so heavily. Charles Oakley was a bit mixed on the matter, calling the docuseries “a little accurate” and “a little pledging.”

Michael Jordan typically keeps things close to the vest, so there’s a firm chance he won’t actually say too much about the backlash the project has received. Nevertheless, I’m sure plenty of fans are hoping he’ll speak out on the reactions (especially Scottie Pippen’s brutally honest thoughts).

Those with Netflix subscriptions or an ESPN+ membership can stream The Last Dance and see what all the hubbub is about.

The one-sided feud between Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan has been well-documented by this point. Ever since Pippen shared his thoughts on his former teammate, fans and former players alike have chimed in his thoughts. Many are now also wondering just how close the two actually were doing their days as NBA players. In the midst of the hoopla though, Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf is addressing a rumor involving the pair. 

The longtime exec, alongside late general manager Jerry Krause, oversaw the Bulls teams that won six championships. While the rosters were strong, there was a bit of front office drama (much of which was chronicled in ESPN’s The Last Dance). On that note, hall of famer Tracy McGrady recently made a claim regarding the storied basketball team. McGrady alleged that in 1997, Michael Jordan threatened to retire in order to halt a trade that would’ve sent him to Chicago and Scottie Pippen to the Boston Celtics. 

Jerry Reinsdorf recently appeared as a guest on NBC Sports Chicago’s Bulls Pregame Live, where he shed some light on the matter. The 86-year-old exec set the record straight, stating that Air Jordan didn’t actually have such a dramatic response to the potential trade:

He later reiterated that he “never heard from Michael Jordan about it” and believes that if Jordan had said something, Jerry Krause would’ve mentioned it. Some may actually be surprised to hear that MJ didn’t feel strongly about the move. To this day, he still questions why the team owner, alongside Krause, decided to rebuild after the Bulls’ final championship season in 1998. While that particular topic has been (and will continue to be) debated, we needn’t worry about the details regarding this Tracy McGrady trade. Because the Bulls head laid that all out during his interview: 

The exec went on to explain that he “thought long and hard” about the deal before he eventually declined. And good thing too, because there’s a chance he may not have earned that sixth championship ring had things gone through. That season, however, may have featured a bit less drama without Scottie Pippen, though. The hall of famer would controversially opt to delay off-season surgery to avoid rehab over the summer. As a result, his was unavailable for much of the ‘97-’98 season. This was a polarizing aspect of The Last Dance, as some former players like Steve Kerr (who found the doc “embarrassing” for himself) took issue with the way Pippen was portrayed.

Nevertheless, the former player was mostly loved by his basketball comrades, with Toni Kukoč even naming him his favorite teammate. One can only hope such love will exist between Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan, leading them to start speaking again. Former teammate Charles Oakley thinks what’s going on between them was initiated by something that happened during their playing days. So as was the case with this recent rumor, maybe we’ll get some additional details that’ll give us a better understanding of the situation.

In the meantime, you can stream The Last Dance with a Netflix subscription or an ESPN+ membership.

ESPN’s The Last Dance drew some major buzz when it debuted back in April 2020. During the early days of the COVID lockdown, viewers tuned in to be regaled with stories of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the ‘90s. The 10-part series, directed by Jason Hehir, was acclaimed by critics and ultimately won a Primetime Emmy. Amid the hype, a number of former players found themselves drawn to the show, including NBA legend Magic Johnson. The Los Angeles Lakers icon is currently preparing for the release of his docuseries on Apple TV+, and it turns out the upcoming project was impacted by the Bulls-centric production in a few ways.

During the miniseries’ run (which Magic Johnson was interviewed for), the businessman spoke favorably about the program. He had particular praise for an episode that featured the late Kobe Bryant and stated that it would “mean a lot” to Laker fans. Little did we know, however, that around that time, the show’s success had encouraged producers to court Johnson for his own project, as he explained:

They Call Me Magic, which is split into four parts, offers fans a look into the life of the former Lakers point guard, from his formative years  in Lansing, Michigan to his HIV announcement and retirement. The hall of famer’s story has been told before, but this promises to be a more exhaustive production. On the surface, the series does indeed feel very similar to the Chicago Bulls show that premiered nearly two years ago. Magic went on to tell Variety that he and the creative team sought to differentiate it from what’s come before: 

What he’s referring to is one of the most polarizing aspects of The Last Dance. Many have argued that the show puts too much emphasis on Michael Jordan’s individual career path and his achievements. Former Bull Scottie Pippen has shared similar thoughts through his own critiques of the series. Pippen claimed the project “glorified” Jordan and didn’t give him or his teammates their due credit. 

Based on his recent comments, Magic Johnson is looking to move beyond his theatrics on the basketball court while telling his story. In doing so, he’ll bring in a number of big names including Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former U.S. President Barack Obama. Even Air Jordan makes an appearance. 

This actually isn’t the only Lakers program that’s garnering attention right now, as HBO’s Winning Time, a scripted dramatization of Magic Johnson’s playing days, is airing. Johnson had a short, not-so-sweet message for that project, though and later doubled down on the fact that he won’t be checking it out.

His new docuseries should be an entertaining watch and will hopefully capture the drive, humor and heart that made him one of the most unique personalities the sports world has ever known. It’s too early to tell how it’ll stack up to Michael Jordan’s production, but I think it’s pretty much a given that fans are going to compare the two as the new show airs.

The first episode of They Call Me Magic premieres on April 22 and, if you want to check it out, you’ll need to invest in an Apple TV+ subscription. In the meantime, you can stream The Last Dance on Netflix or ESPN+.

ESPN’s The Last Dance seemingly took the sports world by storm when it premiered back in the spring of 2020. Many sports fans were quickly drawn into the drama of the Emmy-winning docuseries, which centered on the final championship run of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. Amid and after its 10-episode run, the show drew reactions from a variety of former players. (Some weren’t pleased.) Charles Barkley was one of the NBA vets to watch the doc, while also being featured in it as an interviewee. Now, the hall of famer has opened up about his experience watching the series and how it brought up a “bad memory.”

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, who are relatively friendly in their daily lives, met up quite a few times on the basketball court. The interconference matchups between Jordan’s Bulls and Barkley’s Suns were particularly thrilling to watch during the ‘90s. One of their most memorable meetings, of course, occurred when the two teams met in the 1993 NBA Finals. Today, the championship series is a cool piece of history for basketball aficionados, yet it’s also a memory that Sir Charles wasn’t too fond of reliving through The Last Dance:

The ‘93 championship series, which was actually highlighted in Episode 6, was hard-fought, with Charles Barkley and his Suns teammates doing their best to overcome the reigning champions. The Bulls, however, ultimately claimed victory in six games, marking their third consecutive championship win. The loss clearly still stings for Barkley but, during his appearance on Renee Paquette’s The Sessions podcast, he further explained how the show gave him a better appreciation for his colleague and friend:

The former player’s sentiments run counter to some of his basketball contemporaries, who were less than thrilled with the way The Last Dance portrayed them. Former Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen, in particular, has not minced words, as he’s called out Michael Jordan for using the docuseries to “glorify” himself. Eventually, through his recently released memoir, Pippen would even say that his old on-court partner “ruined” the game of basketball. 

The Round Mound of Rebound has since clapped back at his fellow Dream Teamer for his comments. The Inside the NBA analyst accused Scottie PIppen of “big-game hunting” in order to sell his new book. The sports pundit later admitted that he’d yet to read Pippen’s memoir in its entirety but took issue with the format in which the veteran Bull chose to air his grievances. 

Charles Barkley is known for his blunt opinions and polarizing basketball takes, so it’s actually pretty refreshing to hear his feelings on The Last Dance. Nostalgia is indeed a powerful thing and, in some cases, it can overcome just about anything, even a bad memory or two. 

If you’ve yet to check out The Last Dance, you can stream the heavily-debated doc with the use of a Netflix subscription.

By now, plenty of sports fans are likely aware of Scottie Pippen’s feelings when it comes to former teammate Michael Jordan and the acclaimed docuseries The Last Dance. The hall of famer blasted Jordan in his new memoir, Unguarded, and claimed that he used the show to prove that he’s the true GOAT. Pippen even asserted that the sports icon effectively “ruined” the game of basketball. While many of their former teammates have spoken out on the situation, Chicago Bulls alum Charles Oakley has been one of the most vocal. And in his most recent set of comments, he dropped some honest thoughts on Pippen’s skills as a player. 

In addition to sharing thoughts in his new book, Scottie Pippen has also made comments while doing press to promote it. During one particular interview with GQ, he explained that he released the memoir in order to let people know that he was “as great” as his on-court colleague. Charles Oakley has paid respect to Pippen and his game while discussing his polarizing comments. However, Oakley doesn't agree with how Pippen compares his greatness to Michael Jordan’s:

So I’d say that the retired power forward has made his position on the matter crystal clear, and there’s honestly merit to his comments. That’s not to say that Scottie Pippen isn't an incredible player who had an amazing career. I mean, six championships, several All-Star appearances and multiple All-NBA selections are nothing to scoff at. Still, not many players within the history of basketball can stack up to His Airness.

Charles Oakley previously shared thoughts on The Last Dance, which he believes was mostly accurate. In terms of Scottie Pippen’s feelings towards the Emmy-winning series, Oakley believes his former teammate felt “mistreated” and thought the show didn’t make him “look good.” However, something that Oakley has said before that he reiterated during his appearance on All The Smoke is that he doesn’t think the ESPN production is to blame for the friction. He assumes it stemmed from something that happened off the court years ago.

Other players have also weighed in on the situation involving the two former Chicago Bulls. Hall of famer Charles Barkley clapped back at his fellow Dream Teamer, claiming that he’s just “big-game hunting” in order to sell his book. Fellow NBA alums haven’t been quite as blunt but have been just as honest. Detroit Pistons legend Grant Hill expressed sadness over the feud. He considers both athletes to be his friends and admires what they were able to accomplish on the court. 

At this point, there’s no telling if a reconciliation of sorts is in the cards for Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. It wouldn’t be impossible for the two men to make amends and find some common ground. But if you ask Charles Oakley, their friendship is likely over. 

Those looking to see what all the fuss is about can stream The Last Dance using an ESPN+ or Netflix subscription.

Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan have been retired from professional basketball for well over a decade now yet, for the past few months, the two have been heavily discussed within the world of sports. This was sparked by the blunt thoughts Pippen shared about Jordan in his recently released memoir, Unguarded. The former small forward not only criticized ESPN’s The Last Dance and His Airness’ involvement in it, but he also claimed that his former teammate “ruined” basketball. In the aftermath, numerous former Chicago Bulls players have weighed in on the situation. Now, Charles Oakley (who has chimed in before) has a grim assessment of the future of Jordan and Pippen’s friendship. 

Charles Oakley played three seasons with the Chicago Bulls and, during his last, he played alongside both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Despite only playing with the duo for a single season, he still competed against them for years and saw their dynamic both on and off the court. Recently, Oakley hasn’t backed down from questions about the two or The Last Dance (which he thought was mostly accurate) and hasn’t minced words. So when he recently appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast and was asked whether his former teammates would ever speak again, he gave a very honest answer:

This actually lines up with past sentiments that Charles Oakley has made in regard to the championship-winning duo. He previously addressed Scottie Pippen’s feelings and seemed to respect his thoughts. However, Oakley surmised that the feud wasn’t actually due to The Last Dance but to something that may have occurred between Pippen and Michael Jordan during their playing days. What that might have been the NBA veteran couldn’t say. Even though he doesn’t think the Emmy-winning docuseries isn’t the root cause of the conflict, he did acknowledge its role in Pippen’s apparent displeasure:

What may actually be the most interesting part of Charles Oakey’s new comments is the part where he claims that the relationship between the two “wasn’t great from the get-go.” Other Chicago Bulls players like Bill Wennington painted a different picture through their own comments. Even hall of famer Dennis Rodman says he “never saw” any kind of clear animosity between his fellow teammates.

At this point, it’s honestly hard to argue that the status of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s relationship isn’t looking good. Some can’t help but be optimistic and hope that they’ll patch things up, though. Inside the NBA’s Kenny Smith, for instance, believes the two will still talk, and many Bulls fans are likely hoping the same thing. Maybe a game of golf (which Pippen once thought he could beat Jordan at) would do the trick. Only time will tell how things pan out with the two sports icons.

Those who’ve yet to see The Last Dance can check it out by streaming it on Netflix and ESPN+.

As a member of the Chicago Bulls during the ‘80s and ‘90s, Scottie Pippen helped take the basketball world by storm. These days, though, he’s been making waves through the landscape in a different way, as he’s been in a somewhat one-sided feud of sorts with former teammate Michael Jordan. Following the release of The Last Dance, Pippen has shared a number of blunt thoughts on his old colleague, even going so far as to say that he “ruined” the sport. The honest comments have drawn responses from a number of notable ballers, including many former Bulls players. Now, another major name from that Chicago team has entered the chat – Dennis Rodman. 

The eccentric (but somewhat reclusive) Dennis Rodman rarely speaks on matters such as these. However, during a recent Q&A, the hall of fame power forward was asked about the situation. Those who know him are surely aware that he rarely minces words and, here, he provided some honest (and mostly restrained) thoughts when asked if Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan had a rough relationship, as alleged in the former’s memoir:

Dennis Rodman seemed to have somewhat mixed feelings on the conflict between his two on-court partners, though he did go on to mention that he believes people will buy the book, Unguarded, simply to see what’s said about Michael Jordan. One thing that Rodman did make clear during the discussion (via LifeSpeaks Media) was his respect for Scottie Pippen and his impact on basketball, which he believes is very evident today:

The basketball and pop culture icon would go on to mention contemporary players like Ben Simmons and Giannis Antetokounmpo as those who have benefitted from his comrade’s legacy. He’s not the only Bulls player to shower praise on Scottie Pippen, either. Toni Kukoc called him his favorite teammate, as the two worked closely with Pippen after the Jordan Brand founder retired in favor of baseball. 

There have been some, however, who have been a bit more critical of his recent comments, though. Charles Barkley clapped back at the Arkansas native of “big-game hunting” in order to sell copies of his book. Former Chicago Bull Scott Williams called Michael Jordan the better teammate while claiming that Jordan is more likely to keep in touch with friends. Charles Oakley was a bit more diplomatic and praised both of his former basketball brothers, though he believes the feud goes beyond the ESPN docuseries. He seems to think it’s the result of a specific incident that occurred during their days as players. 

Scottie Pippen has reportedly not spoken to Michael Jordan since The Last Dance aired, and there’s been no indication as to whether they’ll bury the hatchet. Given his recent sentiments, maybe Dennis Rodman could play peacemaker. I mean, stranger things have happened, right?

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix and ESPN+.

The NBA has seen a number of exceptional teams over the course of its 75-year existence. From the Bill Russell-led Celtics of the ‘50s and ‘60s to Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers of the ‘80s, there’s been no shortage of talent to delight devoted fans of the sport. The Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls of the ‘90s have also been revered, with many singling out the ‘95-’96 team in particular as one of the greatest teams ever assembled. Their dominance during that season was well documented in the ESPN docuseries The Last Dance. Despite this, Stephen Curry has shared some bold thoughts regarding whether one of his Golden State Warrior teams could’ve been those Bulls in the Finals. 

During the 1995-1996 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls, in Michael Jordan’s first full season since returning from retirement, the team notched a stellar 72-10 record. They’d eventually go on to beat the Seattle Supersonics in six games in the Finals for the team’s fourth title, and Jordan was named the series’ MVP. Years later, though, the Warriors surpassed the win benchmark by going 73-9 during the 2015-2016 season. While they’d advance to the Finals, they’d ultimately lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games - after leading the series 3-1.

The team would turn things around the next season, though, as Kevin Durant would join the team and help take them to consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018. At that point, Golden State was definitely a force to be reckoned with, to say the least. With that, Stephen Curry believes that team could’ve beaten the ‘95-96 Chicago Bulls:

The three-time NBA champion certainly didn’t beat around the bush while answering Internet users’ questions with GQ. If anything, you really have to appreciate his confidence, which one can definitely build up when you’ve accomplished what he has. I’d also bet that there are a number of sports fans who agree with his assessment, and it’s fair, considering how great the Warriors were. Though chances are there are plenty who would disagree and declare the ‘90s-era Bulls team the victors

Though The Last Dance chronicled all six of the Chicago organization’s championship runs, that fourth one arguably remains the most impressive. The docuseries shared keen insight into the inner workings of the storied team and how they forged team chemistry. It also showed off Michael Jordan’s intense practices, which some would argue highlighted the “bad side” of the iconic player. As viewers watched their trials and tribulations, they were also treated to interviews with some of their competitors. Supersonics great Gary Payton was one of those who was featured and even claimed that he caused problems for Jordan on the court during the Finals. However, His Airness subsequently laughed off Payton’s claims.

But few people would scoff at the notion of both the Bulls and Warrior teams being great, and you can bet fans would’ve paid serious money to see that face-off. However, as Stephen Curry pointed out, we’ll never actually know how things would've played out. I honestly can’t predict who would’ve pulled out the win, but I know for sure that both teams would've duked it out until the very end.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix and ESPN+.

Scottie Pippen sparked a plethora of conversations within the basketball community when he shared blunt thoughts on his former Chicago Bulls teammate, Michael Jordan. In his recently released memoir, Pippen asserted that Jordan “ruined” basketball and went on to say that he used ESPN’s The Last Dance to “glorify” himself. Since he shared these thoughts and more, other Bulls players have shared their own opinions on the matter. Now, yet another teammate is speaking out, and his comments paint a picture that’s quite different from Pippen’s. 

Scottie Pippen really didn’t hold back with his thoughts in the book, Unguarded and, as a result, many seem to be finding the book to be quite the page-turner. Former Chicago Bulls center Bill Wennington is actually among those who’s currently in the middle of reading it. The NBA champion revealed this during a recent appearance on a radio show (via YouTube’s Gray Area). While speaking with the outlet, he also explained that he was taken aback by his old colleague’s sentiments and that he doesn’t exactly see what PIppen was seeing back then: 

Through old footage, The Last Dance showed off more than a few interactions between Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and their teammates. Jordan was shown to be strict when it came to team practices, a fact that some both within and outside the team took issue with at the time. However, they were also shown to be a relatively close unit during their downtime. However, while evoking Jordan’s baseball career, Pippen insulated that he and his on-court partner weren’t as close as the Emmy-winning show would have the public believe. 

Ahead of Bill Wennington, former Bull Scott Williams spoke on the recent comments and referred to Michael Jordan as the better teammate. Williams cited Jordan’s tendency to text back and keep in general contact with his colleagues as a plus. Charles Oakley, who has his own thoughts on The Last Dance, respected Scottie Pippen’s right to his feelings. However, he also voiced his belief that there’s a deeper reason why his old teammate is now speaking out in this manner. Oakley seems to think that it all stems from a possible dispute that occurred while Jordan and Pippen were still players.

Other basketball alums like Kenny Smith have also chimed in on the matter. Smith was also respectful when referring to the former small forward’s comments but did state that he found the docuseries to be accurate. Fellow Inside the NBA analyst Charles Barkley was a bit more blunt, as he accused the former Bull of “big-game hunting” in order to sell his book. He later added more thoughts, saying that the comments were “really not cool at all.” Fellow hall of famer Grant Hill, a fan of both Chicago players, was also disappointed to see the situation play out.

As of this writing, Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan still have not spoken since the show aired back in the spring of 2020. Whether or not the two patch things up remains to be seen, but you can bet that fans and players alike will continue to chime in as time goes on.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix and ESPN+.

Without a doubt, Carmen Electra has run the gamut of entertainment avenues in her 30-plus year career. She posed for Playboy magazine many times, became a sex symbol icon through her stint on the original Baywatch series and tread the path of several notable parody and disaster films. More recently, though, the 49-year-old actress made waves with her talking head appearance on the already-splashy ESPN docuseries, The Last Dance. Now, there's been a suggestion that Electra should perhaps add one specific reality TV franchise (known to spill a little tea) to her extensive resume. And not-so-surprisingly, she has a very succinct take on that, too.

If you haven't guessed it already, the reality TV franchise in question is none other than the Real Housewives, which has brought into the fold several celebrity institutions like Denise Richards and Garcelle Beauvais in recent years. A Bravo fan in fact tracked down some old photos of Beauvais with Carmen Electra, spanning from their modeling heydays to the present. They proposed that the Scary Movie actress should be brought into the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as a “friend of the show,” namely as Beauvais’ colleague. Funnily enough, Carmen Electra responded to the post herself, saying that it “would befunnnn.” See the pitch and Electra’s reaction here:

That casting choice would be interesting, indeed. Her Last Dance interview alone showed just how much tea the actress can bring to Bravo's table. In the documentary chronicling Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, specifically their last season championship run during the '90s, the seemingly ageless starlet dished a lot about her former husband Dennis Rodman and what exactly happened during his notorious disappearance in the lead-up to the 1998 NBA Finals.

Just imagine the stories and drama Carmen Electra could get up to with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills! Castmates are expected to talk about their notable histories, so one would think The Last Dance wouldn't be the last word on her tumultuous relationship with Dennis Rodman. As fans will remember from Denise Richards’ two-season tenure on the reality show, the Bold and the Beautiful star shared a lot more about her ex-husband, Charlie Sheen, than was previously known (including how he once brought hookers home for the holidays...)

Unfortunately, though, the scheme to get the Epic Movie alum onboard with reality TV drama will have to be tabled – for now. The RHOBH has already started filming Season 12, with the same cast from last year. The show will pick up immediately on Dorit Kemsley’s scary home invasion incident, as well as the latest on Erika Jayne’s legal troubles.

But there's still hope for Season 13 of Beverly Hills. And hey, who knows? Maybe Denise Richards will really decide to make a third season comeback, like Garcelle Beauvais has hinted at. In which case, Bravo may want to rename the franchise spinoff -- Real Housewives of the 1990s, anyone?

Over the past few months, Scottie Pippen hasn’t held back in sharing his true feelings on former Chicago Bulls teammate Michael Jordan. Pippen has been adamant about his displeasure with Jordan’s involvement in the ESPN docuseries The Last Dance, which (to many) seemed to be the launching point for his critiques. And since then, he’s also shared comments on his on-court partner’s impact on the game. Now, Pippen is throwing some more shade at his colleague, as he believes he once could’ve bested Jordan in another sport. 

Many probably know by now that in 1993, His Airness retired from the game in order to pursue a career in professional baseball. Though he has a love for both that sport and basketball, there’s another that truly serves as his obsession -- golf. The Jordan Brand founder has been playing the game for decades now and, these days, you’re probably more likely to see him out on the putting green than on the court. 

Of course, Michael Jordan’s competitive nature expands to the golf course, and Scottie Pippen’s recent comments to Golf.com back that up. During the discussion, Pippen was asked to confirm whether Jordan brought him a set of golf clubs during his rookie year, only so he could hustle him on the course. Not only did the hall of famer back up the claims, but he also added some bold thoughts on how the game would’ve played out:

Those are some strong words on his part, though he seems incredibly confident. However, during the same interview, the former small forward was asked how he would fare against his fellow Chicago Bull today. And on that front, he didn’t seem quite so sure: 

I’d personally be just as nervous to square off with Michael Jordan on a golf course than I would on a court. As previously mentioned, he still has that intense competitive nature, and he’s hard to beat when he’s at the top of his game. Plus, I should also mention that I haven’t picked up a club in well over a decade. So please believe me when I say that I’m terribly rusty. 

All things considered, this is one of the more tame things Scottie Pippen has said about his teammate as of late. Through his new memoir, Unguarded, he shared blunt thoughts on The Last Dance, saying that the Space Jam star used his editorial power to “glorify” himself instead of highlighting his teammates. Pippen also believes that the man known as Air Jordan wanted to “prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day—and still larger than LeBron James.” He also took it a step further by saying that his partner in crime “ruined basketball” by causing subsequent generations of players to shift from team-oriented play.

The former NBA All Star apparently hasn’t spoken to Michael Jordan since the polarizing docuseries aired, and there’s no telling if they’ll patch things up. Chicago Bulls and general basketball fans alike, who watched them play beautifully together for years, are surely keeping their hopes up. Who knows, maybe the two can find some common ground during a game of golf.

Scottie Pippen’s candid comments have really taken the sports world by storm over the past month or so. Through his recently released memoir and an assortment of interviews, the former player has discussed his time with the Chicago Bulls in great detail. He’s also taken a few shots at his on-court partner in crime, Michael Jordan, in the process. The statements have garnered a lot of attention, some of which has come from former players. Now, fellow Bulls alum Charles Oakley is sharing his take on Pippen’s recent assertions. 

From the outside looking in, a lot of Scottie Pippen’s displeasure with his old teammate stems from the 2020 docuseries The Last Dance. Though he initially claimed to have no problem with it, he later jotted down his true feelings in his book, Unguarded. It was there that Pippen accused the Jordan Brand founder of using his creative control over the show to mold it in a way that glorified himself. Pippen also went as far as to say that Michael Jordan sought to “prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day—and still larger than LeBron James.” Among other things, he’s also accused Jordan of ruining basketball by ushering in an era of basketball that doesn’t rely on team-oriented play. 

Although The Last Dance definitely seems to be a sticking point for the hall of famer, Charles Oakley thinks there could be more to it. Oakley, who has shared thoughts on the docuseries before, recently engaged in an in-depth discussion with Betway Insider about all things basketball, during which his old teammates came up. He acknowledged that the Unguarded author was hurt by the series but also stated his belief that the issues could stem from something more specific from their playing days: 

Charles Oakley was with the Chicago Bulls from 1985 to 1988, playing with Michael Jordan for three seasons and Scottie Pippen for one. He’s since remained friends with both players and seems to know them pretty well. So there's a chance he could be onto something about the true root of Pippen’s problem but, as he acknowledges, we’ll likely never know for sure. Another thing Oakley does seem confident in, though, is his assumption that Jordan won’t publicly fire back at Pippen:

The Bull-turned-Knick further believes that his old colleague “feels like he's better than Mike” and apparently even said that very thing years ago. But when it comes to the present, Charles Oakley feels that the small forward’s sentiments are coming from a place of stress. He illustrated this thought with a situation involving former coach Phil Jackson:

Over the past few weeks, NBA vets like Charles Barkely and Kenny “The Jet” Smith have also commented on Scottie Pippen’s statements. Both have respect for him, but Barkley was a bit more blunt, saying that Pippen has only been “big-game hunting” in order to sell his book. Former Chicago Bull Scott Williams also called Michael Jordan the better teammate, citing how Jordan is more likely to reach out on an occasion as an example. Still, Pippen has received praise, with Toni Kukoc naming him his favorite person to play with. 

It’s more than clear, at this point, that this discussion is going to linger for quite some time. It’ll honestly be interesting to see who else might share their two cents on the matter. But of course, be sure to form your own opinion when jumping into any debates. And if you’ve yet to do so, you can also stream The Last Dance on Netflix and ESPN+. 

The past few weeks have surely been a time of reflection for basketball legend Scottie Pippen. With the recent release of his new memoir, the former small forward has been incredibly candid about his playing career, especially his relationship with former teammate Michael Jordan. Pippen has taken a number of shots at his on-court comrade, but he’s also spoken about his own past actions. There’s actually one in particular that the Last Dance alum believes will follow him to his grave, and it actually occurred after Jordan left the team to pursue baseball.

In the 1994 NBA Playoffs, the Bulls took on their fierce rivals, the New York Knicks, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Chicago team had taken down the Knicks in the postseason over the past three years (during which the Bulls won three championships). However, the team found itself down two games to New York by Game 3. With 1.8 seconds left in the game and the score tied at 102, coach Phil Jackson drew up a play for Toni Kukoc, which would’ve had Scottie Pippen inbounding the ball. This didn’t sit well with Pippen, who had been the team’s leading scorer all season. With this, he opted not to leave the bench and refused to get back on the court. 

Toni Kukoc ultimately made the shot and secured the win for the team, yet the fallout from the incident has lingered for decades. Scottie Pippen is also fully aware of how his decision is still deeply ingrained in basketball fans’ memories. When he recently appeared on The Daily Show, he had no problem chatting on the subject and how it’s impacted the game. He also revealed whether he has any regrets about what he did (or didn’t) do:

The hall of famer’s choice was shocking, to say the least but, considering what he’d done that past season, one can somewhat see why he’d be frustrated. Over the course of the 1993-1994 season, he’d led the team in scoring, assists and blocks and was one of the league’s top leaders in steals per game. He’d also been crowned the MVP of the 1994 NBA All-Star Game. As a whole, most would agree that he was indeed able to step out of the shadow of his retired teammate in the process. 

The emphasis placed on Michael Jordan seems to be one of the issues Scottie Pippen has with his colleague. In his memoir, Unguarded, Pippen aired his feelings on ESPN’s The Last Dance, which he believes was produced as a way for Jordan to “glorify” himself. He believed the 10-part show didn’t shine a light on the entire Bulls team and put most of the focus on His Airness. Pippen even went as far as to say that Jordan “ruined basketball,” as he thinks team-oriented play seemed to shift when the Space Jam star rose to prominence. Other players of that era like Charles Barkley and fellow Inside the NBA host Kenny Smith have since commented on these assertions. Both acknowledged Pippen’s skills but didn't believe series depicted any inaccuracies.

Though his problems with his former teammate and the docuseries will likely persist, it appears Scottie Pippen has no problem with his end-of-game decision from 1994. It’s likely that sports aficionados will continue to weigh the merits of his choice and its impact as time goes on. Still, at the very least, you have to give Pippen some credit for being open about his feelings on this topic and others. 

You can check out more on the basketball legend’s days with the Chicago Bulls by streaming The Last Dance on Netflix or ESPN+.

When a hall of famer talks, sports fans usually listen, and that’s definitely been the case with legendary Chicago Bull Scottie Pippen over the past few weeks. The former small forward, who recently released his memoir, has been sharing some brutally honest thoughts about his playing career, specifically his relationship with Michaell Jordan. All in all, he’s shared some highly debatable takes on his old teammate, which have Bulls fans talking. Amid the basketball talk though, Pippen has also shared a hot take on NFL quarterback Tom Brady that may stir up discussions among football aficionados. 

Most fans view Tom Brady as the greatest quarterback to ever set foot on a football field and, today, many still consider him to be the league’s top player. Scottie Pippen, however, doesn’t know if he can give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers player that title. Pippen can acknowledge the fact that Brady has earned more than his fair share of Super Bowl wins. But given how football teams are made up, he’s not so sure the quarterback can be considered the best player:

The former Bulls player made this point while explaining to GQ Sports that he finds it hard to place himself in the all-time NBA rankings. To be completely honest, he does make an interesting point. The basketball veteran seemed to be referring to the best all-around players when discussing rankings and, given that football positions are so specific, it could be a little harder to definitively say who the best is. Nevertheless, many would still likely agree that Tom Brady still stands amongst the best QBs in the league right now, even at the age of 44. 

All things considered, Scottie Pippen’s sentiments regarding the Bucs’ quarterback are very tame compared to what he’s said about Michael Jordan. In his new book, Unguarded, Pippen expressed his disdain for the ESPN docuseries The Last Dance, which he claims Jordan used to “glorify” himself. He went on to say that the show was just an attempt by the Jordan Brand founder to prove to this generation that he’s a better player than LeBron James. He also asserted his belief that Jordan “ruined” basketball, as he believes many aspiring players stop playing team basketball after Air Jordan came onto the scene. 

His comments have since drawn the attention of some of his basketball contemporaries. Kenny Smith spoke to the player’s blunt thoughts on The Last Dance and asserted that the show did not present a “fictitious” story. Fellow Inside the NBA star Charles Barkley, on the other hand, claimed that his Dream Team teammate is only making these major statements in order to help with his book sales. Barkley also chastised the former athlete for airing his views in a book as opposed to discussing them in an open setting.

Former Chicago Bull Scott Williams also spoke on the controversy, during which he named Michael Jordan as a better teammate than Scottie Pippen. Williams noted that he and Jordan still touch base from time to time and claimed that Pippen doesn’t text him back. Though ahead of the memoir, fellow Bulls alum Toni Kukoc praised Pippen as his favorite teammate. Kukoc has plenty of love for Jordan as well though, as the Space Jam star even enshrined him in the National Basketball Hall of Fame this year. 

As Scottie Pippen continues to do press, one has to wonder if he’ll drop thoughts on any more of the biggest athletes in all of sports. Only time will tell, I suppose, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that is indeed the case. And who knows, fans may even get additional thoughts from him on Tom Brady after Man in the Arena, quarterback’s own extensive docuseries, finishes its run on ESPN. 

Man in the Arena airs new episodes Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. And if basketball is more your speed, you can stream The Last Dance on Netflix and ESPN+ now.

In the world of sports, there can sometimes be hard feelings between former competitors or teammates, and Scottie Pippen has certainly been proving the latter scenario to be true. In his new book, the hall of famer shares some honest thoughts on his fellow Chicago Bull, Michael Jordan. His comments have since captured the attention of plenty of fans -- and a number of former players. Now, another of Pippen and Jordan’s colleagues, Scott Williams, is commenting on the former’s claims that he was the better teammate. And Williams actually believes Jordan to be the most effective, partially due to the way in which he keeps in touch. 

Scott Williams played alongside both legendary athletes from 1990 to 1993, during which the Bulls won three consecutive NBA championships. Following Air Jordan’s retirement from the league in ‘93, Williams would play alongside Scottie Pippen for one additional season, before he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1994. Despite having had more time with Pippen, Williams recently claimed that the Last Dance producer is the one who is more likely to text him back. And it sounds like the two chat on a number of occasions:

The former player’s statements to Daily Herald seem to paint a solid picture of his relationship with Michael Jordan. While it definitely doesn’t appear that the two talk on a regular basis, they still seem relatively friendly with one another. Interestingly enough, some may have previously assumed that this was the kind of bond Jordan had with Scottie Pippen in their post-professional basketball lives. However, Pippen’s recent statements seem to indicate that he wasn’t friends with the Space Jam star then and isn’t today. 

In Unguarded, his newly released memoir, the veteran athlete doubled down on the fact that he was not pleased with ESPN’s The Last Dance. Not only did he confirm that the docuseries “upset” him, but he also claimed that the show only “glorified” the man known as His Airness. The Arkansas native attributed his issue to Jordan Brand reportedly having creative control over the doc. In a separate interview, the former small forward asserted that he and MJ did not have the close relationship many believed they had and that the Emmy-winning series made that aspect clear. 

The somewhat polarizing show was viewed by (and featured) quite a few former players, who played in the NBA during the ‘90s. Inside the NBA analyst Kenny Smith, also weighed in on the statements, saying that the documentary was not a “fictitious story.” Former Chicago Bull Charles Oakley, who spoke out ahead of the release of his old teammate’s book, was mostly fine with the doc. When speaking on the situation, Charles Barkley was a bit more direct, as he claimed these new sentiments were just a way for the Chicago icon to sell books. He also stated that the player should’ve found a different way to air his opinions. 

Aside from the Last Dance discourse though, another well-known Bulls player has spoken on the teammate aspect of this. Toni Kukoč, who was with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during their second championship three-peat, named Pippen as his favorite on-court partner. While Kukoč did call Jordan the “best” skill-wise, he highlighted Pippen’s team-oriented style of play as a plus. 

The seemingly one-sided conflict between one of the NBA’s best duos has definitely taken on a life of its own and, at this point, it doesn’t look like Scottie Pippen is quite done talking. It’ll be interesting to see what he might share next and how any of his other basketball peers choose to respond. While you wait for more on that, you can stream The Last Dance for yourself on Netflix and ESPN+.

With the release of his new memoir, Scottie Pippen has been sharing some brutally honest thoughts, with many particularly aimed at former teammate Michael Jordan. Pippen has chastised Jordan for a number of reasons at this point, and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. But if anything, his recent comments seem to shed more light on the relationship between the two NBA legends during their playing careers -- well, at least how Pippen viewed it. Now, the Arkansas native has some more thoughts, which include a mention of Jordan’s short-lived baseball career. 

In 1993, following the murder of his father, the Space Jam star chose to retire from the game of basketball. He then shocked the sports world when he announced that he would be pursuing a career in baseball, a dream that his father once had for him. Though he would later return to the NBA in 1995. Scottie Pippen made reference to Jordan’s time on the outfield when speaking on the nature of their relationship. Based on Pippen’s comments, the two stars weren’t exactly close off the court, even after winning three NBA championships: 

Those who’ve been keeping up with the former small forward’s comments surely know that one of his biggest issues stems from ESPN’s widely-watched (and heavily debated) docuseries, The Last Dance. In his new book, Unguarded, the star confirmed that he was unhappy with how the show turned out and blasted the Jordan Brand founder for allegedly using his editorial power to “glorify” himself and not shine a light on his teammates. Though during the same interview with Chicago’s WGN 9, the author and former player did seem to indicate that the show shed light on the true nature of his relationship with his ex-teammate: 

Over the past few weeks, the legendary player has also accused his on-court partner of using the ESPN series to “prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day—and still larger than LeBron James.” He also previously revealed that he has spoken to “His Airness” since the doc aired, during which he shared his problems with the project. And apparently, they haven’t spoken since.

Other basketball greats have dropped some opinions on Scottie Pippen’s various thoughts. Former Houston Rocket and current analyst Kenny Smith was diplomatic, though he asserted that the documentary “wasn’t a fictitious story.” His Inside the NBA colleague, Charles Barkley, was a bit more blunt, as he stated his belief that Pippen is only sharing these takes in order to help his book sales. Barkley also takes issue with the way in which the Chicago icon chose to air his views, asserting that “you want to say these things, just say them, don’t put them in a book.”

At this point, you have to wonder if there’s anything else Scottie Pippen can possibly say about his former colleagues or the documentary. He’s made his points clear but, still, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that he has more to say. Until that happens, those who are interested in checking out The Last Dance and forming their own thoughts on it can do so by streaming it on Netflix and ESPN+.

ESPN’s The Last Dance may have debuted over a year ago, but the widely watched basketball docuseries is still having some serious ripple effects. While sports fans have continued to debate its merits, the real story centers on the reactions of those who were featured in it. Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen has been incredibly vocal about his disdain for the show and has since called out former teammate Michael Jordan for his role in the production. The situation has drawn a lot of eyes as of late and, now, fellow NBA vet Kenny Smith has chimed in on the matter. 

This all originally started shortly after the series originally finished its run in May 2020. It was initially reported that Scottie Pippen was “livid” after seeing the show, though he later shot down those initial claims. However, Pippen eventually confirmed that he actually “wasn’t too pleased” with how things panned out. He also revealed that he’d shared his thoughts with his old teammate and, apparently, the two haven’t spoken to each other since. In his new memoir, Unguarded, Pippen goes in even deeper and accuses the Jordan Brand founder of using the doc to make himself look good. 

Kenny “The Jet” Smith, who played against those exceptional Bulls teams during the ‘90s, understands the two hall of famers’ skill sets better than most. With this, TMZ recently asked for his thoughts on the seemingly one-side war of the words that’s been taking place. Smith, who most now know as an on-air analyst, offered some honest thoughts:

In his book, Scottie Pippen said that The Last Dance, particularly the final two episodes, “glorified” Michael Jordan without giving any credit to his teammates. According to Pippen, Jordan deserved “a large portion of the blame” due to the fact that the series was made under his Jump 23 production banner. With this, he further asserted that the businessman was given a considerable amount of creative control. He finally concluded that through the doc, Jordan wanted to “prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day—and still larger than LeBron James.”

Kenny Smith was also asked about those LeBron comparisons and stated his belief that His Airness “doesn’t need to tell this generation who he is because we know who he is.” He then punctuated his point by taking off and showing off one of the Jordan Brand shoes he was actually wearing while speaking with TMZ.

Other players’ reactions to the Emmy-winning limited series have been somewhat mixed. Former Chicago Bull Horace Grant was upset by the “so-call documentary” and called out Michael Jordan for accusing him of leaking locker room secrets to the press. Charles Oakley, on the other hand, was a bit more positive, saying that it “was a little accurate and a little pledging.” Oakley also believes the series didn’t throw any players under the bus.

With the momentum this debate has, I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if other players decide to share thoughts. While you wait for any other potential reactions though, you can pass some time by streaming The Last Dance on Netflix or ESPN+.

The Last Dance made a significant impression when it first hit the airwaves back in the spring of 2020. ESPN’s 10-part docuseries gave viewers an in-depth look at the inner workings of the ‘90s-era Chicago Bulls and what went into their final championship run. The show put heavy emphasis on the career and personal life of team captain Michael Jordan, a creative decision that has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some of the creative choices received particularly mixed thoughts from Jordan’s fellow Bulls, including Scottie Pippen. The former athlete previously commented on the series but, now, he’s sharing some brutally honest thoughts. 

After the show finished its original run, reports indicated that Scottie Pippen was “livid” about the final product. He initially shot down the claims but later admitted that he “wasn’t too pleased” with how things panned out. At the time, he stated his belief that the project was merely a way for Michael Jordan to “uplift himself.” In that same interview, Pippen also revealed that he discussed his feelings with Jordan, and they reportedly haven’t spoken since. 

The hall of famer recently recounted how his colleague reached out to him, along with a number of other sentiments, in his upcoming memoir, Unguarded. In an excerpt from the book (via GQ), the legendary small forward recalled getting a text from His Airness, which read, “I’m getting word that you’re upset with me. Love to talk about it if you have time.” While Scottie Pippen was unable to speak at the moment (due to a busy schedule), he agreed to talk the following day. But in the book, he went on to confirm that his former teammate’s suspicions were indeed correct:

The documentary ultimately ended with a recap of the Chicago Bulls’ victory over the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals. But what turned out to be an exciting conclusion for many viewers was seemingly less than enjoyable for Scottie Pippen. He went on to give his thoughts on why things didn’t pan out the way he’d hoped: 

Additionally, he said that through the doc, Michael Jordan sought to “prove to the current generation of fans that he was larger-than-life during his day—and still larger than LeBron James.” The NBA veteran further revealed that he was sent the first eight episodes of The Last Dance weeks in advance and “couldn’t believe” what he was watching. He seemed particularly disillusioned with the emphasis placed on Jordan’s personal life and stated his belief that the show only put his former teammate “on a pedestal.” He later discussed what he did in the aftermath of the show’s airing:

Some of the aforementioned players also took issue with how The Last Dance played out. Horace Grant called out the Jordan Brand founder for accusing him of leaking locker room secrets to the press. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr, who was mostly positive on the show as a whole, didn’t care for the way Scottie Pippen was portrayed.

Given how much is said in the book, one would assume this will be the last we hear about the doc from the man who formerly wore the number 33 across his chest. Yet there’s always a chance he (or any of his teammates) will give even more thoughts at some point in the future.

Unguarded hits bookshelves on November 9 and, if you’re looking to view The Last Dance yourself, you can stream it on either Netflix or ESPN+.

ESPN’s The Last Dance may have hit the airwaves over a year ago, but the docuseries still seems to be resonating with viewers. The acclaimed show examined the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls and, in the process, it pulled back the curtain on the ups and downs of the storied team. It also provided further insight into the man known to millions as His Airness. There have been plenty of reactions to the show over the past year and, now, Jordan has revealed the thing that surprised him the most about the public's response. 

The 10-part documentary series took its time in peeling back the layers of its subjects, including the calm and collected Scottie Pippen and the eccentric and unpredictable Dennis Rodman. When it came to Michael Jordan, the focus remained heavily on his intense competitive drive. Many are well aware of how vocal he could be in the locker room and during practice, and some have questioned his approach. However, most don’t seem to be looking at him in a negative light, which is something that Jordan finds shocking: 

While discussing his conversation with the basketball hall of famer, Today’s Craig Melvin revealed to his co-hosts that Michael Jordan thought people would view him as a “jackass.” To be honest, this is completely understandable, as the docuserious does show the athlete’s intense nature on several occasions. On The Last Dance, Jordan also gave an explanation for his demeanor, which he considered to be necessary in order to push his team to success. Some will still surely have feelings on the way he handled things, but one might argue that the results speak for themselves.

From the moment he met with Air Jordan, director Jason Hehir made it clear that he wanted to make a multidimensional series. Hehir previously explained that he sought to tell a well-rounded story not just about the team captain but about his players and the Bulls organization as well. The documentarian also revealed some on the Jordan Brand side of things apparently had their concerns, though those soon went away. 

The Last Dance’s depiction of Michael Jordan and some of his teammates has been somewhat scrutinized, though, with many of the critiques coming from the players themselves. Scottie Pippen, who many believe was made out to look selfish, was among those who was not pleased, as he felt Jordan was trying to “uplift himself” through the show. Horace Grant also took issue with Jordan accusing him of leaking locker room secrets to the press. There were some who were a bit more positive, however, like Charles Oakley and former player and current NBA coach Steve Kerr. 

It’s likely that fans will continue to debate the merits of the Emmy-winning docuseries. But if anything seems to be clear, it’s that the man at the center of it appears to be mostly pleased with how things turned out. 

The Last Dance is available to stream on Netflix and ESPN+.

It goes without saying that the Chicago Bulls were the most dominant team in professional, and arguably even in all of sports, during the ‘90s. When many people think about the Bulls of that era, Michael Jordan is likely the first person that comes to mind. However, the NBA franchise also had a number of firm role players like Croatia native Toni Kukoc, who was recently elected to the National Basketball Hall of Fame. The veteran player, who also appeared on ESPN’s The Last Dance, seems to have enjoyed playing with his teammates, and he actually named Scottie Pippen as his favorite teammate over Jordan.

Toni Kukoc joined the Chicago Bulls at the start of the 1993-1994 NBA season, hot on the heels of Michael Jordan’s highly publicized retirement. As a result, he had the opportunity to really play alongside and watch teammate Scottie Pippen, who served as the Bulls’ leader in the post-Jordan era. Of course, he would get to play with Jordan when he returned to basketball in 1995. Kukoc recently explained that while Jordan was an amazing player, he really respected what Pippen brought to the game:

The recently named hall of famer wouldn’t be the first player to sing the praises of Scottie Pippen. Fellow teammate Steve Kerr also spoke highly of Pippen and even cited his disappointment with the way he was depicted in The Last Dance. Some argued that the doc made him look selfish off the court, for opting to put off surgery ahead of the 1997-1998 season. While speaking with the Chicago Bulls’ official website, Toni Kukoc went on to discus how much of a team-oriented player Pippen was on the floor:

Though Scottie Pippen stands as Toni Kukoc’s favorite Bulls teammate, he did still provide some additional praise for Michael Jordan. Kuko? admitted there were rare times when he wished Jordan would get him the ball, but he also said that his former teammate was team oriented in a different way. Kuko? also made note of how Jordan would come through with points when the team needed them.

Thinking back to Toni Kukoc’s first encounter with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, it may be a little hard to believe that he’d speak so highly of them, let alone have Jordan enshrine him in the hall of fame. Kukoc was originally drafted by the Bulls in 1990 and was highly coveted by upper management. As explained on The Last Dance, Jordan and Pippen didn’t take this too well so, when the 1992 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team faced off with Croatia, they didn’t hold back against Kukoc, who was initially unaware of their feelings.

Of course, this is all just a testament to the passionate competition that comes with sports. And it also goes to show the lifelong bonds that can form between players. Both Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan made Toni Kukoc a better player, and the results clearly speak for themselves.

There’s a lot of passion wrapped up in the world of sports, as players can get incredibly competitive when they’re facing off with each other. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to bad blood when the game is done. This is certainly true when it comes to professional basketball, which has seen a number of high-profile feuds over the years. At the moment, Scottie Pippen, who made headlines following his appearance on ESPN’s The Last Dance, is engaged in a back-and-forth with fellow NBA legend Charles Barkley. Pippen initially questioned Barkely’s toughness and, now the sports pundit has clapped back.

Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen were NBA opponents for years. Most probably remember when Pippen’s Chicago Bulls and Barkley’s 76ers (and Phoenix Suns) would duke it out on the court. But ironically, the two players would actually come into conflict as teammates while playing for the Houston Rockets in the late ‘90s. Their relationship became so bad that Pippen once said Barkley “can never expect an apology from me.”

Scottie Pippen added more fuel to the fire during a June interview with GQ, in which he said that Barkely only “plays his role like he’s tough.” More recently, Barkley appeared on ESPN’s Waddle and Silvy (via The New York Post) and aired some thoughts of his own. The Inside the NBA host asserted that he’s tougher than Pippen and even went as far as to question his former teammate’s own status as a tough guy:

Needless to say, Charles Barkley did not mince words, which pretty much falls in line with what we know about the Hall of Famer. Likewise, Scottie Pippen is not one to hold back his feelings on a topic. And as it so happens, the celebrated Chicago Bull has been very honest about a situation involving another one of his former teammates.

Scottie Pippen has also been vocal about The Last Dance and how he was seemingly portrayed in the ESPN docuseries. Many believed Pippen was made to look selfish, though the former player initially shrugged off the claims, saying he was fine with the show. However, he later changed his tune and stated his belief that the doc was less about the Bulls team and more about Michael Jordan “trying to uplift himself and to be glorified.” Pippen says he even talked to Jordan about this and has apparently not spoken to him since.

History is a funny thing. It illuminates things and at times, helps to guide our steps into the future. But it can also bring up old wounds, as evidenced by the state of Scottie Pippen’s relationship with his former teammates. In regard to Pippen and Barkley, the chances of a reconciliation seems unlikely at this point, but stranger things have happened in the realm of professional sports.

The Last Dance is a tremendous documentary filled with some of basketball’s all-time great players and personalities, most prominently Michael Jordan. It’s also expertly put together with terrific pacing and a keen eye for entertaining moments. What it’s not, however, is a fully accurate representation of MJ’s last season with the Bulls. It gets the gist right, but it also glosses over some key moments and doesn’t give enough shine to several key players who made significant contributions including Luc Longley.

In fact, the lack of time the documentary devotes to Luc Longley is Michael Jordan’s biggest regret about the breakout ten episode limited series. The greatest basketball player of all-time recently spoke to the Australian Story about the error and said things should have been different. Here’s a portion of his quote…

The Australian center started fifty-eight regular season games and sixteen playoff games for the Bulls that year, averaging almost thirty minutes played and more than eleven points per. His seven foot plus presence also allowed the Bulls to play big, which contrasted nicely with the times they went small using the undersized Dennis Rodman as the center. Unfortunately, The Last Dance almost completely glossed over those contributions from Longley, relegating him to mostly background shots.

Luc Longley reportedly wasn’t interviewed for The Last Dance because he lives in Australia, and producers were unable to fly there for budgetary reasons. I’m sure that played a role in not showing more of his contributions, but there were also several other key players who didn’t get nearly enough shine, in my opinion, including Ron Harper. For Longley, not being featured was frustrating, but not surprisingly, he has a good attitude about the whole thing…

The Last Dance obviously generated a huge reaction from the general public, but it also generated pretty big reactions from the people involved. Steve Kerr spoke about being frustrated by how little some of the other players were featured, specifically Longley and Harper. Scottie Pippen was allegedly not a happy camper about how he was depicted and apparently hasn’t spoken with Michael Jordan since it aired. Even a bunch of key players on the other teams have spoken out, though many with a good sense of humor about it.

Ultimately, the truth is the truth, and documentaries are only a version of events. Those of us who lived in Chicago during the Jordan era, myself included, have very fond memories of Luc Longley. He was a good player who did all the little things that needed to be done. He deserved some more run in The Last Dance, but fortunately, he got plenty of run during those later three championship seasons, which is more important anyway.

This past weekend, moviegoers were treated to the release of Space Jam: A New Legacy, the long-awaited sequel to the classic ‘90s film that’s left a serious dent in pop culture. Of course, one of the most significant aspects of that film is that it served as a cinematic vehicle for NBA legend Michael Jordan. While LeBron James succeeded the hall of famer in the sequel, many fans still wanted to see His Airness show up again. That didn’t come to pass but, now, we have the next best thing: a fake, but hilarious Last Dance-inspired spoof of Jordan watching bits from the movie.

ESPN’s The Last Dance, a docuseries that chronicled the sixth and final championship run of the ‘90s-era Chicago Bulls, featured a number of memorable moments. But among the highlights were segments that showed Michael Jordan watching fellow interviewees on a tablet. In some instances, the businessman and former athlete would laugh, and this was the basis for the video created by geofilms. Check it out for yourself (via officialnbabuzz’s Instagram page) down below:

Let’s be honest, it was only a matter of time before someone found a way to meld Michael Jordan’s gif-worthy reactions with footage from Space Jam: A New Legacy. I mean, whether you’re a fan of the film or not, you honestly can’t help but laugh. Part of it also makes you wonder if Jordan has actually seen the movie and has thoughts.

Space Jam is a huge part of Michael Jordan’s legacy, so it’s only natural that fans would want to know or even joke about how he might feel about the recent sequel. Believe it or not, the movie was actually born from a commercial starring Jordan and some Looney Tunes characters, and the rest is history. The Last Dance actually touched on the film’s production, which saw Jordan shooting his scenes during the day and holding basketball scrimmages in the evenings.

Given his connection to the franchise, a Michael Jordan cameo in Space Jam: A New Legacy would’ve been nice, and the creative team wanted to make it happen. The film’s director even revealed that he had a meta idea that ironically relates to The Last Dance.

The lack of a Michael Jordan cameo doesn’t seem to have hurt the film too much on the financial side of things, though. In its opening weekend, the movie took the top spot at the box office, which garnered a cheeky response from LeBron James. And while critics haven’t been too impressed with the movie, it would seem that audiences are still digging it.

There’s no telling if Michael Jordan has actually seen Space Jam: A New Legacy or if he’d even share his thoughts on it if he has. But at the very least, we can still enjoy a good chuckle from this solid video.

And if you want to check out the source of the Michael Jordan clip, you can currently stream The Last Dance on Netflix.

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Minor spoilers for Space Jam: A New Legacy lie ahead.

Space Jam: A New Legacy is aiming to put a fresh spin on the classic franchise, which was birthed by basketball legend Michael Jordan back in 1996. This new look includes bringing in contemporary NBA superstar LeBron James. Despite this, there were some who were hoping Jordan would show up at some point in the movie. Unfortunately for those fans, His Airness didn’t make it into the Looney Tunes’ latest big-screen outing. But as it turns out, the creatives did try to bring in Jordan, and they even wanted to reference his ESPN docuseries, The Last Dance.

For those who aren’t in the know, The Last Dance was a 10-part docuseries that aired last year. The show chronicled the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls and also tracked their exploits through the ‘90s as a whole. While some parts of the show received mixed to negative responses, the production as a whole received acclaim for its examination of the team and Jordan himself.

Given the cultural impact of The Last Dance, it makes sense that Space Jam: A New Legacy director Malcolm D. Lee would've liked to reference the show in some form. As he explained to EW, he and his team were staying positive when it came to possibly landing Michael Jordan, and they had a very meta idea in mind:

The line Malcolm D. Lee paraphrased is one that became synonymous with Michael Jordan as The Last Dance progressed. At certain points in the series, Jordan would coin some variation of the phrase, “...and I took that personally” while reflecting on his exploits. The line took the internet by storm, inspiring countless memes and even a Saturday Night Live sketch.

The proposed Space Jam: A New Legacy scene would have actually been a funny way to wrap up the movie, and it would’ve fallen in line with the meta nature that occasionally accompanies the Looney Tunes. Still, the film did manage to pay homage to Jordan in a different way.

Space Jam: A New Legacy is now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.

Although it was released over a year ago, ESPN’s The Last Dance is still finding its way into discussions among sports fans. The docuseries received acclaim from both critics and the general public for the way in which it analyzed the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls. It was a lengthy process, but director Jason Hehir and his team ultimately managed to pull it off, even after the series’ release date was pushed up. Like many people, Hehir himself is a fan of sports and of Jordan so, as you’d expect, meeting the hall of famer for the first time to discuss the doc was a major (and daunting) experience that was enough to give one chills.

Jason Hehir is no stranger to sports documentaries, having helmed multiple 30 for 30 docs for ESPN and HBO’s Andre the Giant. However, the lore surrounding Michael Jordan hits just a bit more surreal. In a wide-ranging interview with the Chicago Tribune, Hehir recalled a 2017 day, during which he got a last-minute invitation to Manhattan to pitch Jordan (who was skeptical) on the idea of the documentary that would eventually become The Last Dance. The filmmaker admitted that his nerves were racing ahead of the meeting but, when he arrived, he felt something else:

It certainly sounds like it was a milestone for Jason Hehir, both as a documentarian and as a general fan. Hehir went on to explain what transpired in that meeting and, as he puts it, it was a tit for tat that would rival any great basketball game. While Michael Jordan wanted details on Hehir’s approach to the doc, Hehir equally probed the sports icon to make it clear that the project wouldn’t merely be a “puff piece” on his career. During this time, Hehir also learned something about the man, which he would probably encounter later while working on the doc:

But what sounds like the biggest point of the meeting was when Jason Hehir challenged the former athlete on his highly debated hall of fame speech. And it was apparently in that moment that Hehir felt he been drawn into an experience that felt incredibly surreal:

Of course, Jason Hehir ultimately managed to find common ground with Michael Jordan when it came to how he’d be depicted in the doc and what aspects of his life would be explored. And when finishing the story, Hehir recalled what Jordan told him as he prepared to exit the meeting:

And after the glowing reception received by The Last Dance, it’s very likely that Michael Jordan will never have to do such a project again. Of course, things haven’t been perfect. The reviews were mostly positive, but the show did prove to be somewhat polarizing in some respects, especially among former players. Even Jordan’s former teammate Scottie Pippen took issue with the docuseries.

The quality of the doc aside, Jason Hehir certainly experienced a moment that many sports fans would love to have, and it’s a story that he’ll be able to tell for years to come. To check out the filmmaker’s work, you can stream The Last Dance on Netflix.

ESPN’s The Last Dance captured the attention of sports fans and general audiences alike when it aired last spring. The acclaimed docuseries took a deep dive into the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls during the 1997-1998 NBA season. And in the process, it painted a picture of the dynamic between the storied basketball team’s key players. Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen was among those who appeared in the doc, yet his depiction has been one of the show’s most controversial elements. Now, it appears the former small forward has not spoken to Jordan since the show finished its run.

The Last Dance put emphasis on the fact that Scottie Pippen opted not to have surgery ahead of the ‘97-’98 season, a choice that effectively pushed his availability well into the regular season. With this, many fans and pundits believed Pippen was made to look selfish. Even former teammate Steve Kerr expressed dissatisfaction with how Pippen was depicted. Still, after reports alleged Pippen was “livid” about the doc, he claimed to not have any problem with it.

However, Scottie Pippen would later reveal that he did in fact take some issue with it, claiming that Michael Jordan merely used the documentary to “uplift himself.” Pippen recently explained on The Dan Patrick Show that he spoke with Jordan briefly while the show was airing, which is likely when he reached to express his displeasure. The former athlete then explained why he has no interest in speaking with his former teammate at the moment:

All in all, Scottie Pippen doesn’t seem to mind maintaining a cordial personal relationship with Michael Jordan, in the long run. However, it sounds like he does not want to discuss anything relating to their time playing for the Bulls. In short, Pippen simply wants that history to remain, well… history.

The “history” brought up in The Last Dance elicited responses from a number of players. Steve Kerr, while not particularly enthused by the way Pippen was portrayed, mostly enjoyed the documentary and humorously noted his scruffy look during the interview portions. But former Bulls player Horace Grant was less than thrilled and did not take kindly to Michael Jordan accusing him of leaking locker room secrets, leading to the publication of Sam Smith’s The Jordan Rules.

The Last Dance exemplifies just how deep the world of sports can be and how certain moments in time can either delight or eat at those who were involved. It’s for these reasons and more that the docuseries will likely continue to be a somewhat controversial piece of work for years to come.

If you’ve yet to check it out, you can currently stream The Last Dance on Netflix.

NBA great Scottie Pippen started making headlines again last year courtesy of the Michael Jordan-filled docuseries The Last Dance for ESPN, but despite regaining the public’s attention, Pippen still managed to keep a pretty low profile. Since retiring from the NBA, Pippen’s main priority has been dedicating time to his family. Unfortunately, in a year already filled with unexpected moments, he and his family are now in mourning, and the iconic athlete's news about his son Antron's death came as a shock to many. Taking to social media, Pippen paid tribute to his eldest son Antron with a touching message.

For any parent, surviving a first child's death definitely isn’t part of their life plan. Despite being divorced from his first wife and Antron's mother, Scottie Pippen maintained a close relationship with the younger Pippen as he got older and followed in a few of his father's noteworthy footsteps. Unfortunately, Antron Pippen passed away unexpectedly on Apr. 19, at the age pf 33. Pippen took to his Instagram to make the announcement. In a tribute to his late son, the NBA legend started off by saying:

After announcing his son’s passing, Scottie Pippen gave a peek into his son’s health situation, and he also gave him props on his second-generation basketball skills. The retired NBA player coupled those details with kind words about his son’s family. Pippen wrote in his post:

Scottie Pippen’s Instagram post was heartbreaking as he spoke about his son’s potential basketball future. His words painted the picture of a young man with a kind spirit who was loved by everyone, and especially by his famous father. Check out Pippen’s full post with a loving father-son slideshow below:

Losing a firstborn child is no doubt one of the hardest things a person can experience, and being as legendary as Scottie Pippen doesn't help ease that pain. Here's hoping loving messages from fans can help out on that front. As evident by the NBA legend’s Instagram feed, family is especially important to him, and this is an unprecedented life event.

Scottie Pippen wasn’t the only one to pay tribute to his late son. His ex-wife Larsa Pippen took to her Instagram Story to pay her respects to Antron Pippen. Check out her touching post below:

Scottie Pippen, along with Antron’s siblings and other family members, will hopefully be able to mourn in privacy without any direct interference from Last Dance fans. While his son is no longer here physically, Pippen can still hold on to the loving memories he and his eldest son shared for years to come, and our thoughts and condolences go out to the Pippen family during this time.

ESPN’s The Last Dance elicited various responses from the public at large. The docuseries, which focused on the final championship run of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, received acclaim from critics and general audiences. But the show was met with more mixed reviews from players. Many of Jordan’s former teammates have commented on the accuracy of the series and, now, another notable name has added his voice to the list.

Charles Oakley was a teammate of Michael Jordan’s from 1985 to 1988 and, during their time with the Bulls, the two forged a solid relationship. And when Oakley was traded to the New York Knicks, he and Jordan faced off in some amazing games:

Given the relationship between Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley, it was only a matter of time before he was asked for his thoughts on The Last Dance. And the fan-favorite player didn’t mind providing his honest opinion:

Judging by Charles Oakley’s recent comments on the 3 League OGs Podcast, he’s mostly fine with how things were presented in The Last Dance. He did still mention that the film felt a bit “pledging,” presumably when it came to portraying Michael Jordan. The show has been noted for showing the “bad side” of Jordan, but the iconic athlete is still portrayed in a mostly positive light. Although some took issue with this, Oakley doesn’t appear to have much of a problem with Jordan talking up his accomplishments:

Charles Oakley’s mellow sentiments seem to match up closely with those of Steve Kerr. The NBA championship-winning player and coach (who was interviewed for the doc) was mostly fine with how the story was presented. He did, however, take issue with the way former teammate Scottie Pippen was portrayed.

Speaking of Scottie Pippen, despite initially claiming he had no issue with the docuseries, he later admitted he wasn’t too pleased with it, He believes that through the series, Jordan was able to “uplift” himself, and Pippen says he even discussed critiques with his former teammate. Former Chicago Bull Horace Grant (another one of the show’s interviewees) was upset with Jordan’s claim that he leaked locker room secrets to the press.

When considering the subject matter of The Last Dance, it’s not too surprising that it would be somewhat polarizing among former athletes. It’s unfortunate that not everyone was pleased with the way they were portrayed. But at the very least, their subsequent comments are sure to spark some serious discussions about the Bulls and that era of NBA basketball as a whole.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix.

The ESPN and Netflix docuseries The Last Dance centered on the career of Michael Jordan, particularly his final season with the Chicago Bulls. The series includes interviews from many veteran basketball players, including Gary Payton, who is best known for playing with the Seattle SuperSonics, among other teams. Now, Payton is speaking out about a major that involved Jordan in the docuseries.

During The Last Dance, Michael Jordan actually watched the interview Gary Payton did with the show's crew, during which he made comments about the 1996 NBA Finals between the SuperSonics and Bulls. Payton said that if he had gotten more physical with Jordan, perhaps the outcome could have changed. Jordan essentially just laughs at the thought, telling the interviewer he had no problem with Payton, who was famously known as "The Glove." While answering a fan question during an AMA with Bleacher Report, Payton spoke out about that moment and gave thoughts on Jordan's competitive nature. He explained:

While Michael Jordan may have laughed off Gary Payton's comments, it doesn't diminish what he did accomplish during his career. Aside from playing for the Seattle SuperSonics for 13 years, Gary Payton also played with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, winning an NBA championship with the Heat in 2006. Payton was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013. Still, it's hard to argue that Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls did manage to get the best of Gary Payton's Seattle SuperSonics when they faced off in that 1996 series.

Gary Payton is just one of the many NBA personalities featured in The Last Dance to share thoughts on an aspect of the acclaimed docuseries. Former Chicago Bull Steve Kerr was mostly positive on it, despite not liking the way former teammate Scottie Pippen was depicted. Pippen himself also wasn't too pleased with it and even expressed his feelings to Jordan.

While fans will likely continue to have their debates regarding the matchup between Michael Jordan and Gary Payton, many can agree that watching the two go at it was a sight to behold. You can get a taste of this by streaming The Last Dance on Netflix now.

We certainly didn't get to see a lot of movies in theaters in 2020, but while we have all been home in various stages of quarantine since the beginning of the year, there have been countless documentaries and docuseries on various streaming services and premium cable channels to help expand our horizons and give us an escape for a short period of time. Over the course of the past 12 months, we've seen series like HBO's I'll Be Gone in the Dark, The Last Dance, and Tiger King, as well as feature-length documentaries like Beastie Boys Story and Jasper Mall.

If there were a golden age of non-fiction storytelling, it would be now thanks in part to all of the outstanding films and series that have been released this year. But with so many out there, keeping track of them all is no easy task. Fret not because here is a list of more than a dozen of the best of what the world of documentaries and docuseries had to offer in 2020.

I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO)

The HBO docuseries I'll Be Gone in the Dark is really two stories wrapped into one six-part docuseries centered on the crimes and capture of the Golden State Killer, a former police officer who preyed on dozens of victims in various locations throughout California during the second half of the 20th Century. On one hand, you have interviews with survivors and families of the victims of the Golden State Killer, but on the other you have an emotional and riveting story of the late Michelle McNamara, the obsessive true-crime writer who wrote the book on which the series was named. Sadly, McNamara never got to see her work (both the book and the capture of her subject) come to fruition before her April 2016 death.

Jasper Mall (Amazon)

Once you get past the irony of Amazon distributing a documentary about a dying mall in small town in Alabama, the 2020 film Jasper Mall is one of the best titles on this list and Prime Video, for that matter. Over the course of a year, Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb popped into the once-booming mall just outside of Birmingham, Alabama, to document its employees (specifically Mike McClelland, the mall's superintendent and the driving force to keep the place open) and visitors who do everything from shop, eat, watch gospel concerts, and play dominos. Each little vignette is filmed at a different point throughout the year, which does a remarkable job of showing the mall's fight for survival in a dying town seemingly forgotten by time.

The Social Dilemma (Netflix)

There have been few documentaries that have affected me as much as the 2020 Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. This enlightening yet terrifying documentary breaks down how social media companies (most notably Facebook and Google) prey on its users and get them addicted to the platforms so they can continue to mine their data as well as influence their behaviors. And with an unusual setup of having a standard documentary with a scripted short film highlighting what the various psychologists, sociologists, and former tech engineers are saying, the documentary does a tremendous job of illustrating issues with social media.

Beastie Boys Story (Apple TV+)

One of the biggest draws to Apple TV+ in 2020 was the premiere of Spike Jonze's live documentary experience Beastie Boys Story which featured surviving members Adam "Ad Rock Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond taking a theater full of Bestie Boys fans through the group's nearly 40-year history and the unbreakable bond they formed along the way.

Over the course of the nearly two-hour documentary/two-man show/Q&A panel, Ad Rock and Mike D tell stories from the road, their final show at Bonnaroo 2009, and the impact that Adam "MCA" Yauch had on them and continues to have on them eight years after he succumbed to cancer on May 4, 2012. Anyone one grew up with Beastie Boys cannot miss this hilarious, emotional, and engaging experience.

Totally Under Control (Hulu)

Years from now when people look back on the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic will be one of the first things they learn about. The ongoing public health crisis has affected essentially everyone on the planet and no industry has been left untouched. But a lot of great documentaries about the pandemic and the way it has reshaped society, including the Hulu film Totally Under Control, which does a great job of breaking down the United States federal government's response to the crisis at various stages throughout the year. There are more in-depth documentaries that focus on certain topics or areas, but Totally Under Control is perfect for anyone wanting a more general look at the health crisis and its toll on society.

The Vow (HBO)

There are few outlets (both streaming and traditional television) that released as many great documentaries and docuseries in 2020 than HBO, and one of the biggest of those films was The Vow, a nine-part series on the cult NXIVM, it's leader Keith Raniere, and the various members who broke free of the organization and attempted to get as many people out before too much damage could be done. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the story as things grow from a group putting on self-help seminars in hotel conference rooms to a global organization whose leaders are serving extended stints in prison due to various crimes committed under their guidance over the years.

The Last Dance (ESPN/Netflix)

Back in April 2020 when everyone was looking for new and fresh content to watch (especially sports), ESPN and Netflix elected to release its 10-episode limited series about the dominant 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty earlier than expected. The Last Dance, which featured in-depth interviews with everyone from Michael Jordan to Barack Obama to the late Kobe Bryant offered and unparalleled look at the life and careers of some of the Bulls' biggest names that was intertwined with the 1996-1997 season where the team won its sixth NBA Finals Championship.

More than sports, however, The Last Dance touches on the culture of the era and just how significant Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and the rest of the historic squad were to everyone from all walks of life.

Heaven's Gate: The Cult Of Cults (HBO Max)

Before watching Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults on HBO Max in early December 2020, I thought I knew all there was to know about that "crazy UFO cult" who committed mass suicide in order to be picked up by an alien spacecraft in March 1997, but that was far from the case. This four-part docuseries detailing the infamous cult's demise, also sheds light on the human side of the story through interviews with surviving members and the families of those either started the cult or took part in the group's final act at a spacious southern California mansion 23 years ago. This engaging and informative documentary doesn't attempt to justify the actions of Heaven's Gate, but attempts to tell the story that didn't make the news clips on the major evening news shows.

40 Years A Prisoner (HBO)

One of the main purposes of a documentary is to shed light on a subject or event that most people watching don't know about or don't fully understand, and that's very much the case with Tommy Oliver's 2020 documentary 40 Years a Prisoner, which focuses on the 1978 raid by the Philadelphia Police Department on the radical group MOVE that resulted in the death of an officer and extended prison terms by members of the group. Through archival footage and eyewitness interviews, Oliver tells the story of that fateful day as well as the struggle decades later by Mike Africa Jr., the son of two MOVE members convicted of the murder, as he seeks out the truth of what really happened.

Tiger King (Netflix)

There was nothing (well, besides Animal Crossing and pizza delivery) that got me through the first couple of weeks of quarantine than the Netflix dumpster fire that is Tiger King. The seven-part docuseries chronicling the rise and fall of Joe Exotic, aka the Tiger King, his nemesis Carole Baskin, and the rest of the grifters and drifters who took up residence in their solar system of big cats, murder for hire plots, and general insanity gave everyone a much-needed escape in March. Hopefully there's a part two considering how this story continues to go off the rails with each passing month.

American Murder: The Family Next Door (Netflix)

Another documentary that made the case for Netflix having the best year of all the streamers out there is American Murder: The Family Next Door, which was viewed by a staggering 52 million subscribers in the first 28 days of release back in September 2020. The documentary covering the disappearance and murder of Shanann Watts and her two young daughters (and unborn son) by her husband Chris Watts didn't hold back in its coverage of the grisly crimes committed by a man who seemed to a loving husband and father. And while it's sometimes hard to watch what is being shown in the documentary, the film's exploration of man in crisis and the fallout is worth a watch.

Atlanta's Missing And Murdered: The Lost Children (HBO)

Mindhunter Season 2 did a great job of incorporating the story of the Atlanta child murders that took place in the southern metropolis in the early 1980s, but there is only so much you can do in a scripted series that also touches on a great deal of other serial killers and landmark cases. That's where the 2020 HBO documentary Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children comes in. This five-part docuseries took a deep dive not only into the abductions and murders of all those young lives, but also the way in which the cultural and political divides of the city and its surrounding areas allowed for something like to happen in the first place.

Challenger: The Final Flight (Netflix)

The Challenger disaster of January 1986 remains one of the most memorable and unsettling events to unfold on live television in the United States, and the recent Netflix four-part documentary Challenger: The Final Flight does an amazing job of telling the story of the doomed shuttle, its crew members, and the aftermath of the event that grounded the space shuttle program for nearly three years. The series has a steady pace leading up to the morning of January 28, 1986, and is followed by a detailed account of commission tasked with figuring out what went wrong and how it was allowed to happen.

Miss Americana (Netflix)

Then there is the Taylor Swift Netflix documentary Miss Americana which welcomed fans into the life, mind, and heart of one of the most successful musicians and pop icons of the modern era. The 85-minute film follows Taylor Swift over the course of several years of her career and combines interviews, concert footage, and unparalleled access to recording sessions from the creation of her Reputation and Lover albums. The documentary also shows a raw and exposed version of the pop star that few outside of her close circle of family, friends, and creative partners have seen before. It's a must-watch for T. Swift fans as well as those who want to better understand one of the biggest names in music.

Those are just a few of the great documentaries and docuseries that came out in 2020. There were other greats like Netflix's Dick Johnson is Dead, The Reagans on Showtime, and countless others that all found various levels of success this year. Do you have a favorite documentary or docuseries that came out this year? If so, sound off in the comments below.

ESPN’s The Last Dance has earned its fair share of acclaim since it debuted this past spring. The docuseries, which centered on the final championship run of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, earned rave reviews from critics and general audiences, and even snagged an Emmy win. However, the players involved in the doc have had more mixed responses to it. This includes Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, who was thought to have been fine with the way it turned out. Now, he’s delivered some brutally honest thoughts on the show.

Following The Last Dance’s initial run, it was reported that Scottie Pippen was “livid” about the way he was portrayed on the show, though he later stated that he wasn’t fazed by it. But in a recent interview, he explained that he wasn’t impressed with how he was depicted and even revealed that he spoke to former teammate Michael Jordan about it:

The Last Dance was celebrated for a number of the things it did, but its representation of Scottie Pippen served as one of the more controversial elements. Some believed Pippen was portrayed as selfish due to the focus on his decision to forego surgery ahead of the 1997-1998 NBA season Others also noted that his contributions to the team didn’t receive as much focus as they should have. Former Chicago Bull and current NBA coach Steve Kerr, who mostly enjoyed the doc, was also disappointed by the way Pippen was utilized on the show.

Pippen further explained to The Guardian that he believes the documentary didn’t accurately define what the Bulls teams of the ‘90s truly managed to accomplish in their time. He also believes the doc was a way for Jordan to “uplift himself,” though he doesn’t think that worked in the basketball legend’s favor:

In addition to Scottie Pippen, former Bulls player Horace Grant took issue with The Last Dance as well. This stemmed from Michael Jordan accusing him of leaking locker room secrets to journalist Sam Smith, who would later write the controversial The Jordan Rules book.

It can honestly be said that there are arguments to be made on both sides of the aisle. While there’s plenty to love about The Last Dance, the docuseries isn’t perfect in the way it handles some things. It’ll be interesting to see if the public and former players’ perceptions of it change over time.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix.

By now, many sports fans have probably watched ESPN’s The Last Dance and, in some cases, some may have seen it multiple times. The critically acclaimed docuseries, which chronicled the final championship run of Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, really struck a chord with fans and casual viewers alike. As you can imagine, NBA players were also drawn to the show for one reason or another. This was true for Los Angeles Lakers point guard Alex Caruso, who found himself rewatching it ahead of his team's appearance in the NBA Finals.

Alex Caruso, of course, won his first NBA championship at the end of this past season. When describing that feeling of winning a title, he compared it to the “adrenaline rush” he received when watching the Bulls win their championships on The Last Dance:

On J.J. Reddick’s The Old Man & the Three podcast, Alex Caruso further explained that this feeling is what led him to rewatch The Last Dance before the NBA Finals began. Apparently, he wanted to relive that dream scenario, which would eventually become a reality for him when the buzzer sounded at the end of Game 6:

Anyone who’s seen The Last Dance can easily identify with Caruso’s sentiments. One of the reasons why The Last Dance was so compelling is that it accurately captures the energy of the basketball and the high stakes of the games being played. Whenever Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and their teammates won a title, you felt every bit of it. It’s honestly hard not to get some kind of high when you’re watching those sequences.

For me, these scenes are most effective because they serve as payoffs for everything those Bulls teams endured. Whether it be rowdy fans or brutal infighting, the teams persevered, making their victories that much sweeter.

The Last Dance ultimately proved to be just the jolt of energy Alex Caruso needed before the Finals, and it must be gratifying for him to actually receive that championship moment. If anything, his experience is a testament to just how inspirational the docuseries can be.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix.

The Last Dance may have aired earlier this year, but sports fans and casual viewers alike are still buzzing about it. The ‘90s-centric docuseries was meant to examine the final championship run of the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, and the final product was a sight to behold. Despite nearly unanimous praise from critics and fans, the show did garner mixed reviews from former players. Current NBA coach and former Bulls sharpshooter Steve Kerr has had mostly positive thoughts on The Last Dance, but he did recently admit that he found one aspect to be somewhat embarrassing:

Steve Kerr’s comments on Jemele Hill Is Unbothered are probably some of the humblest critiques The Last Dance has received thus far. It sounds like the championship-winning player and coach believes others deserved more time to shine. He does make a fair point, as both Ron Harper and Luc Longley should’ve been featured more prominently. As Kerr says, the two were integral parts of that team. Still, the NBA vet should give definitely give himself more credit, as he hit his fair share of big shots during his tenure with the Bulls, including a championship-clinching dagger.

Although Kerr doesn’t see too many negatives within The Last Dance (aside from his physical appearance during his interview), he did reveal that there is something he takes issue with. Like a number of Bulls players, he didn’t care for the way Scottie Pippen was portrayed and questioned why the filmmakers opted to go the route that they did with the Hall of Famer:

There were a number of fans and sports analysts who argued that The Last Dance portrayed Pippen as somewhat selfish, especially when it covered his decision to delay an off-season surgery. This led many to wonder what the former player thought about the doc. While it was initially reported that he was displeased with his depiction, Pippen would later say that he was fine with the show.

Like any documentary, The Last Dance isn’t perfect, and there are a few areas in which it could have been improved. Still, even with its flaws, it’s hard to deny its merits and the intricate discussions it creates. And it’s also great to hear former players like Kerr chime in with their honest opinions of it.

The Last Dance is currently available to stream on Netflix.

There’s a lot to love about The Last Dance, but some of the most entertaining elements of the critically acclaimed docuseries have to be the personal stories from the various interviewees. From team practices and championship celebrations to Michael Jordan’s golf outings and pre-game wagers with the security staff, there was no shortage of delightful anecdotes. There’s one story that likely sticks out the most in both basketball fans and casual viewers’ minds and, unfortunately for Blake Griffin, it was his favorite go-to story when describing his run-ins with Jordan.

Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin, a Jordan brand athlete, has known the iconic Chicago Bull for some time now. As a result, he’s been privy to some personal stories from Jordan’s time as a player, which Griffin would then tell his friends. However, Michael Jordan would discuss Griffin’s favorite story in depth on The Last Dance, and it’s one that involves one of the Bulls’ most eccentric players:

Dennis Rodman’s midseason “vacation” in Las Vegas was definitely a highlight of The Last Dance, which just scored a well-deserved Emmy win for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Watching Jordan reminisce on the situation was almost as funny as the seemingly ageless Carmen Electra recalling her attempts to hide when Jordan came looking for Rodman in Vegas. With this, one can understand why Blake Griffin was a bit bummed when discussing the now-widely-known story on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Griffin’s response is one of the many interesting reactions to The Last Dance, as some of the players that appeared in the doc have since given their thoughts on it. For instance, Scottie Pippen seemed to mostly enjoy the series, which was contrary to previous reports that he was “livid” about the way he was depicted.

One person who did take issue with their depiction was former Chicago Bull Horace Grant. During The Last Dance, Jordan claimed that Grant leaked locker room information to journalist friend Sam Smith, which allegedly allowed him to write The Jordan Rules. Grant refuted the claims and asserted his belief that Jordan is only holding “a grudge.”

Aside from Grant, reception to The Last Dance has been relatively positive, though it looks like Blake Griffin will have to find a new story to tell. But that shouldn’t be too hard given that he’s probably heard more than one Michael Jordan story in his time.

The Last Dance is currently streaming on both Netflix and ESPN+.

It’s been a few months since ESPN’s The Last Dance first aired, but the Chicago Bulls-centric miniseries still appears to be more popular than ever. Following its original debut, many fans have taken to Netflix to witness the highs and lows of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, as well as their teammates and coach Phil Jackson. The show’s effect on pop culture really can’t be understated at this point, especially when you consider how it’s helped reinvigorate interest in ‘90s culture. Now, it would seem that a notable singer of that era is reaping the benefits of its popularity.

R&B singer Kenny Lattimore recently revealed that his music sales went “to another level,” thanks to a scene in The Last Dance. The moment that sparked this hype is one that shows Jordan listening to unreleased tracks from Lattimore on the Chicago Bulls’ team bus, which was headed for Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

While speaking with TMZ, Kenny Lattimore would also say that The Last Dance has increased his following and has, in a way, linked him to the legendary Chicago Bull:

Kenny Lattimore has been making music for years, but he truly rose to prominence in the 1990s, which saw the release of his eponymous debut album and follow-up From the Soul of Man. The two albums would produce several hits like “For You” and “If I Lose My Woman.”

Those who are familiar with Lattimore’s music know that he’s produced some beautiful tunes that still hit just as hard as they did back in the day. So it’s nice to see that a new generation of music lovers are becoming familiar with his body of work.

So far, The Last Dance has affected the general public in some pretty interesting ways. For instance, some basketball fans mistakenly went after NBA player Isaiah Thomas after mistaking him for his namesake – Detroit Pistons legend and Michael Jordan rival Isiah Thomas. And on the other end of the spectrum, the docuseries has reminded people how Carmen Electra really doesn’t age, leading some to search for her on a certain website.

Nevertheless, it’s been a true joy to watch many people enjoy The Last Dance and fully take in the ‘90s culture that permeates it. Nostalgia has been a major selling point over the past several years, and this sports documentary appears to have come at just the right time.

In addition to Netflix, The Last Dance is also available to stream on ESPN+.