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Friday, April 26, 2024

The Last Dance

ESPN’s docuseries “The Last Dance” goes behind the scenes to chronicle the Bulls’ 1997-98 season.

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The Last Dance
‘The Last Dance’ finishes strong in viewership
Episode 9 on Sunday night averaged 5.9 million viewers, and the finale averaged 5.4 million, combining for a 10% increase from the previous week.
By Jeff Agrest
 
Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan embrace after the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship.
The Last Dance
From the archives: Reliving episodes 9 and 10 of ‘The Last Dance’
Here’s how the Sun-Times originally reported some of the topics covered in episodes 9 and 10 of the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”
By Gene Farris
 
Michael Jordan holds his last NBA Finals MVP trophy.
The Last Dance
Sixth trophy worth its wait — Jordan’s game-winner ends tough trip to title
From the archives: The Bulls win their sixth NBA championship.
By Sun-Times
 
Dennis Rodman hits a layup against the Pacers.
The Last Dance
Whew! Worn-out Bulls head to Utah for NBA Finals
From the archives: The Bulls get past the Indiana Pacers to reach the 1998 NBA Finals.
By Sun-Times
 
Hanging out with Hulk Hogan was one of Dennis Rodman’s favorite pastimes.
The Last Dance
Look, it’s Rodzilla! Worm goes AWOL to make a cameo at wrestling event
From the archives: Dennis Rodman skips an NBA Finals practice to hang out with Hulk Hogan.
By Sun-Times
 
Michael Jordan chats with Sammy Sosa at Wrigley Field.
The Last Dance
Sammy vs. MJ: Who was No. 1 in local sports in ’98? Believe it or not, Sosa dethrones Jordan as king
From the archives: A guy named Sammy Sosa also dominated the headlines in 1998.
By Sun-Times
 
Like Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr lost his father to violence.
The Last Dance
Ann Kerr’s strength helps Steve Kerr deal with dad’s death
From the archives: Like Michael Jordan, Steve Kerr lost his father to violence.
By Sun-Times
 
The Bulls’ Scottie Pippen, left, and Michael Jordan embrace after winning the 1998 NBA Finals.
The Last Dance
Three-peat repeat defines a dynasty: Magnitude of Bulls’ sixth title ensures lasting legacy
From the archives: The second three-peat secures the Bulls’ legend.
By Sun-Times
 
Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson celebrate a sixth NBA title after the Bulls beat the Jazz in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals.
The Last Dance
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Phil Jackson were never coming back for one more year
Phil was burned out, and if he wasn’t coming back, neither was MJ — no matter what Jordan said in “The Last Dance.’’
By Rick Morrissey
 
Will Perdue played for two of the NBA’s top coaches, the Bulls’ Phil Jackson and the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich.
The Last Dance
Former Bulls big man Will Perdue weighs in on his coaches: Phil Jackson vs. Gregg Popovich
Perdue had some interesting takes on both men in the wake of “The Last Dance.”
By Joe Cowley
 
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The Last Dance
6 key moments from the final night of ‘The Last Dance’
What we learned from the final episodes of ESPN’s documentary on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Bulls.
By Satchel Price
 
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Chicago Six-Times Podcast
Podcast: Bulls defeat Jazz as ‘The Last Dance’ wraps with second three-peat and the end of an era
Rick Telander and Richard Roeper recap Sunday’s finale of “The Last Dance” with a discussion of Episodes 9 and 10.
By Sun-Times staff
 
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The Last Dance
‘The Last Dance’: A look back at the good, the bad and the unexpected
10 episodes later, now we know Michael Jordan was both the GOAT and a poet (with some issues), Carmen Electra is hilarious and John Michael Wozniak was adorable.
By Richard Roeper
 
Michael Jordan enjoys a cigar after the Bulls beat the Jazz in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. It was his sixth title.
The Last Dance
Success of ‘The Last Dance’ a telling reminder of Michael Jordan’s incredible staying power
But for the NBA, is there something incriminating about his popularity 22 years after the last of the Bulls’ six titles?
By Rick Morrissey
 
Michael Jordan
The Last Dance
Michael Jordan’s game of thrones and thorns
Now he seemed overwhelmed trying once again to justify his brutal behavior back in the day. Didn’t the world understand he was doing what had to be done?
By Rick Telander
 
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen won six NBA titles as Chicago Bulls teammates.
Sports Saturday
Scottie Pippen was the ultimate wingman, but the No. 2 player in the ’90s? That’s a stretch
The most enduring thing about ESPN’s documentary on Michael Jordan and the six-ring Bulls might be the way Pippen’s reputation as a player has soared.
By Steve Greenberg
 
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Columnists
The inside story on the scoop I had on MJ playing baseball ... or did I?
“The Last Dance” sheds light on what was the biggest story in sports after Michael Jordan retired from baseball in 1993. Here are some more details.
By Michael Sneed
 
“I’m definitely texting him nonstop,” Michael Jordan’s eldest daughter, Jasmine, said. “I think there hasn’t been an episode [of The Last Dance], a Sunday where I haven’t been like, ‘This happened—let me know your thoughts,’”
The Last Dance
Michael Jordan’s daughter Jasmine learns more about her dad from ‘The Last Dance’
“It’s been incredible to watch,” Jasmine Jordan said. “I’m watching it real time with everyone else and really just taking it in as a fan, essentially. So it’s been really eye-opening.”
By Associated Press
 
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The Last Dance
‘The Last Dance’ sparks unique coverage during a unique time
Much like they did with the 1990s Bulls, sports-media outlets have attached themselves to the documentary on those teams — and who can blame them?
By Jeff Agrest
 
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The Last Dance
Sometimes the greatest player of all time looks all alone on ‘The Last Dance’
There’s a cost to being Michael Jordan. That comes out very clearly in ESPN’s documentary.
By Rick Morrissey
 
Michael Jordan goes to the basket past Atlanta Hawks’ Mookie Blaylock (10) during a May 13, 1997, 107-92 win in Chicago.
Entertainment and Culture
‘Be Like Mike’ Gatorade jingle almost didn’t happen, Chicago ad creator says
Michael Jordan starred in many commercials, but the most memorable surely was the ‘Be Like Mike’ campaign for the sports drink.
By Associated Press
 
George Karl hoped to avoid giving Michael Jordan motivation. He failed.
The Last Dance
George Karl discovers that even doing nothing can motivate Michael Jordan
The former Sonics coach confirms that he did not speak to Jordan at a restaurant during the 1996 NBA Finals.
By Sun-Times staff
 
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The Last Dance
From the archives: Reliving episodes 7 and 8 of ‘The Last Dance’
Here’s how the Sun-Times originally reported some of the topics covered in episodes 7 and 8 of the ESPN documentary “The Last Dance.”
By Gene Farris
 
Michael Jordan works on his batting on the first day of White Sox spring training camp Saturday, Feb. 18, 1995, in Sarasota, Fla.
The Last Dance
MJ is the talk of Sarasota
From the archives: Michael Jordan’s arrival at White Sox spring training creates a sensation.
By Sun-Times
 
“In that situation there was a lot of pressure,” Scottie Pippen said. “We were down 2-0 in the series; I wanted to be a threat. Whether I was taking the shot or not, I didn’t feel like I should be the one obligated to take the ball out.”
The Last Dance
Pippen explains Game 3 sit-down, says jealousy of Kukoc wasn’t problem
From the archives: Scottie Pippen discusses the 1.8-second game against the Knicks.
By Sun-Times
 
Former Bulls player Will Perdue says he had a good relationship with Michael Jordan’s father James.
The Last Dance
Former Bulls big man Will Perdue talks ‘The Last Dance’ Episodes 7 & 8
The onetime Bulls center explains why most of the players had a better relationship with Michael’s father, James, than they did with Jordan and how “harmonious’’ life without Jordan was during the 1993-94 season.
By Joe Cowley
 
Michael Jordan didn’t hesitate to make his unhappiness known to his teammates.
The Last Dance
Former Bull Will Perdue talks Michael Jordan and sucker punches
Episodes 7 and 8 of “The Last Dance’’ have been teased already to feature the time MJ sucker-punched Steve Kerr in practice, but years earlier, it was former center Will Perdue who felt the wrath of His Airness in a practice incident.
By Joe Cowley
 
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Chicago Six-Times Podcast
Podcast: Michael Jordan trades the court for a diamond as ‘The Last Dance’ covers his first retirement
Rick Telander and Richard Roeper recap Sunday’s premiere of “The Last Dance” Episodes 7 and 8.
By Sun-Times staff
 
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The Last Dance
6 key moments from Night 4 of ‘The Last Dance’
What we learned from the seventh and eighth episodes of ESPN’s documentary on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Bulls.
By Satchel Price
 
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The Last Dance
James Jordan murder trial: Suspect found guilty in killing of Michael Jordan’s father
The jury deliberated 4.5 hours to convict Daniel Andre Green.
By Sun-Times
 
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