Why Michael Jordan shouldn’t be surprised with his Bulls teammates' reaction to The Last Dance
Luc Longley, Toni Kukoc, Ron Harper, Scottie Pippen, and Michael Jordan
© Anne Ryan - USA TODAY via Imagn Co
Michael Jordan still doesn’t get it. You can tell by his response to his Chicago Bulls teammates’ reaction to The Last Dance. His superstar status attracts both the good and the bad. At his peak, he was a supernova who shined the brightest. Now years removed from his glory days, MJ remains a star to others and a black hole that sucks the light in other people.
MJ’s reaction to Chicago Bulls teammates
After The Last Dance aired in 2020, there were many mixed reactions to it. For those who grew up watching Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the late 80s and 90s, the show was a testament to how great that era was and how MJ remains the GOAT. Meanwhile, for others, it only proved that Mike was egoistic and stopped at nothing just to achieve his goals, even at the expense of some personal relationships, including his Bulls teammates.
The Last Dance was about the Chicago Bulls, but Mike was the leading man, and all others were the supporting cast. Naturally, his teammates felt wronged at how they were portrayed in the series. Scottie Pippen has said things in his book that probably put an end to his friendship with MJ. Horace Grant had to call MJ a “snitch.”
Recommended Articles
Jackie MacMullan thinks MJ was surprised at the negative reaction, and he discussed it on The Hoop Collective podcast.
“I don’t think he was particularly thrilled with the blowback from The Last Dance and some of the things that came back at him. I think some of it flummoxed him a little bit to be honest.”
Jackie MacMullan, The Hoop Collective
Why Jordan shouldn’t be surprised
With how The Last Dance was told, MJ doesn’t have the right to be surprised at all these negative reactions from his teammates. The story revolved around himself and how he willed the team to win.
His Airness couldn’t say he didn’t mean to put them in a bad light - he was the producer. The story, narrative, and angles were all approved by him. Saying he was surprised at his teammates’ reaction only shows how he values them: nothing more than vital pieces to help him achieve his goals.
They say teammates who won a championship together have a bond that lasts a lifetime. We wonder how much of it is true when it comes to Michael Jordan and the rest of his teammates from the Chicago Bulls.
