‘The Last Dance’ is a ten-part docu-series that revolves around the 1997-98 season of the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls. Episodes five and six just got released to the public, and a heart-touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant is a part of the fifth episode.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
The episode showcases the 1998 NBA All-Star game in which Kobe took on MJ with all his might. He dazzled on the court with his skills. Jordan is shown in the locker room talking about the future five-time champion.
The crew had also interviewed Kobe Bryant before his death. Director Jason Hehir appeared on ESPN’s ‘Jalen&Jacoby’ show recently, where he spoke about the experience of getting the mamba in for an interview.
Hehir recalled doing Kobe’s interview in the latter’s office. “He came on to the set, and he hadn’t even sat down yet. And he was like, all right, let’s go. Like this was like it was going to be a tip-off. It wasn’t that we were rolling cameras, that we were throwing a ball up to play.”
Kobe Bryant did not spill out the beans until he felt comfortable
Hehir did not waste any time after looking at Kobe’s urgency to get on with the interview. He informed how the very first question he put forth was about the first pair of Air Jordan’s which Kobe bought, and who inspired him as a kid.
“I was a Magic guy,” Hehir quoted Kobe. The Lakers legend played it very hard and did not let out the priceless information easily. Hehir had to work for it. “It was only when we got further into the conversation he said that he would study his moves, and then of course, when we started discussing the All-Star game,” he said.
The director also revealed how the mamba even opened up his brotherly relationship with Michael Jordan. Kobe admitted that MJ’s timely help on and off the court, shaped his career, and allowed him to find success.
The director also joked around with Kobe about the one on one situations against MJ. “And he said ‘ I honestly don’t even like discussing it, because it’s disrespectful to him to even discuss that I might be able to beat him. Everything you see from me, came from him’”.
Kobe was never going to express his emotions easily. His relationship with Jordan was special, and it became evident to the world when MJ teared up and got emotional with his speech at Bryant’s memorial. “He was a tough nut to crack. He made sure I had to hammer and nail and try to crack him,” Hehir mentioned.
