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‘Wasn’t About Money’: Famous Author Reveals Why Michael Jordan Delayed the Last Dance Release

Published 06/13/2021, 2:00 PM EDT

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There is no other TV show that encapsulates the audience like the Last Dance. It featured the glory years of Michael Jordan, who enjoyed unlimited success with the Chicago Bulls. Along with Scottie Pippen, Jordan won six NBA titles which cemented his legacy as the GOAT. However, there were reports of Michael Jordan not approving the producers to air the show.

Jordan spoke about releasing the show when the time was right.

via Imago

Michael Jordan wanted the TV show to be aired after sometime

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The genius behind the documentary was Andy Thompson, a former basketball player himself. A famous author Roland Lazenby spoke about the details regarding this matter.

“Andy for two decades had to sit on all of that footage, I mean all of this footage of everything and they kept offering Jordan millions to do it and he didn’t want to do it.

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“But long before he knew there was ever going to be a pandemic, Jordan finally relented and I think he got paid 20 million or thereabouts to which really wasn’t about the money now,” said Roland.

The author spoke about how Jordan wanted to delay the telecast of the TV show. As the physicality of the league was much higher back in the 90s, Jordan wanted people to see the nature of the league during his era. The league was certainly not soft back then because of some dominating centers like Patrick Ewing and Hakeem who marshaled the defense well. The Last Dance revealed the physical nature of the league.

Despite that, Jordan had the final say in airing the show and it is safe to say he got the timing perfectly right.

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The 90s era had tough men

Even though the Bulls won six NBA titles, Michael Jordan had to do it the hard way. Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, David Robinson was some players who dominated the league. The physicality of the league back then was underrated. The game was much tougher back then because of the players that played during that era. Teams focused on driving to the rim and shots from the post as it involved a lot of aggressive plays which can’t be seen right now.

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However, the game has changed.

The removal of hand checking meant the game became softer than the one they had before. Moreover, Stephen Curry has influenced the league with his three-point shooting as teams now are looking to polish their three-pointing shooting skills.

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The NBA has changed a lot during these times but the excitement of the game never ceases to fade away. The players in the 90s were much tougher than the players right now. The Last Dance showed how good the Chicago Bulls were with Michael Jordan.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy

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Jacob Gijy is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the centre the respect he deserves.
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