'The Last Dance': Best Twitter Reactions as NBA Players Praise 'Fantastic' Michael Jordan ESPN Documentary
ESPN's eagerly-awaited The Last Dance documentary chronicling the final season of Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls premiered on Sunday to a rapturous ovation from the NBA world.
With the league suspended since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, basketball fans were starved of action. ESPN's decision to move the release forward by three months—the documentary was initially set to air in June—finally gave them and all other sports fans something to look forward to.
It also built the kind of anticipation normally reserved for major sporting events or a TV series finale. Unlike The Sopranos, everyone already knows the ending of The Last Dance, but that does not make it any less compelling.
The first two episodes aired on Sunday night and past and current NBA stars were clearly impressed with what they saw.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand now... pic.twitter.com/EH3JBwKWwp
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 20, 2020
Former Los Angeles great Magic Johnson, who played alongside Jordan in the Dream Team at the 1992 Olympics a year after losing the NBA Finals against the Bulls, put his old rival in the pantheon of greatest-ever entertainers.
"For me? Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé are the three greatest entertainers of my lifetime; and you could probably throw Muhammad Ali in there," Johnson tweeted.
For me? Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, and Beyoncé are the three greatest entertainers of my lifetime; and you could probably throw Muhammad Ali in there.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 20, 2020
Current NBA stars were similarly excited. Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo was already looking forward to the next installments of the 10-part documentary, while Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris suggested The Last Dance had been the highlight of his quarantine so far.
Former Bulls guard Jamal Crawford could barely contain his excitement.
#TheLastDance man wow! Can’t wait until next Sunday.
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) April 20, 2020
Best 2hours of the quarantine.... #TheLastDance
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) April 20, 2020
I ain't been this excited for a movie ever lol.
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) April 19, 2020
See yall later! #TheLastDance
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 20, 2020
Bulls guard Zach LaVine was ready to binge-watch all 10 episodes in one go instead of having to bide his time over the next five weeks, a feeling shared by Brooklyn Nets center DeAndre Jordan.
I could’ve watched all 10 episodes right now.
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) April 20, 2020
“Simulate week til next Sunday!” #thelastdance 🐐 🔥
— DeAndre Jordan 🐺 (@DeAndre) April 20, 2020
Scottie Pippen, Jordan's trusted lieutenant during his six title runs with the Bulls, featured heavily in the second episode, which focuses on the No. 33's trade demands.
The fifth overall pick of the 1987 NBA draft, Pippen never made more than $4 million a year during the Bulls' six titles and he felt underpaid by the organization.
The forward and general manager Jerry Krause developed a bitter feud, which led the former to label the latter "a compulsive liar."
While Pippen's trade demand was turned down, his contribution on the court did not waver—although he did miss the first 35 games of the 1997-98 season after undergoing surgery on his left foot.
Director Jason Hehir's decision to focus heavily on Pippen's role as Robin to Jordan's Batman went down well with current NBA players.
I’m glad Scottie is getting the respect he deserves, he was a beast #TheLastDance
— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) April 20, 2020
I wanted to be just like Scottie on the court. Defender, long, athletic, unselfish, high IQ!!! #TheLastDance
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) April 20, 2020
The third and fourth episodes of The Last Dance will air on Sunday, April 26 from 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC and on Netflix from 12.01 a.m PT on Monday, April 27. ESPN will replay the first two episodes from 7 p.m. ET on Sunday.
