It is the documentary mini-series which has fascinated millions of people severely for containment. "The Last Dance", dedicated to the Chicago Bulls basketball team in the 97-98 season, ended on Monday with the broadcast of the last two episodes. A story that goes beyond sport for our editorial writer Virginie Phulpin.
This is it, you've seen the whole documentary "The Last Dance", and you're not alone. The last two episodes of the series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls of the 90s were released yesterday on Netflix . A gigantic global success. For you, this is a documentary that even those who do not like basketball more than that must see, as it goes beyond sport.
Michael Jordan still has the art of being "the right man at the right place". We already knew, but there, it is confirmed in large widths. It was when the entire planet was blocked everyone at home that this documentary on the Chicago Bulls of the 90s came out. They are strong at Netflix , we could not do better. I'm sure that in a few years, when we think back to this pandemic, we will also remember having millions of people impatiently wait for Monday morning, 9:01 am, to have our weekly dose of two episodes of vintage and legendary NBA.
Yes, basketball fans are there, obviously. Seeing the best team in history at work and going behind the scenes is fascinating for sports enthusiasts. But not only. Nor is it just an ode to the glory of Michael Jordan. We have already seen some of them.
Of course we see him flying over the baskets and today it's still breathtaking, of course we rediscover his extraordinary mind, his thirst for victory and his unequaled talent. But we also see him behaving like a tyrant not necessarily lit in the locker room by treating his teammates like minions who will never reach his greatness. And that is interesting to see the greatest champion in history also as a man not always frequentable, addicted to gambling, and resentful as possible. A man, what. And an American history beyond sport.
Yes, an American history that touches all areas
Sport and the economy are never far apart in the United States. And there, we have the master in the matter. We discover how Nike managed to win the jackpot of the century by becoming the sponsor of Michael Jordan at the very beginning of his career. And behind it, the player, with his planetary charisma, managed to transform fashion. Before him, we didn't go back to the nightclub in sneakers. After him, it is the essential accessory.
Yes, he has two or three strings to his bow. He could have done more elsewhere, against racism in the United States for example. I'm not the one saying it, it's Barack Obama. Excuse me a little, but when the former American president speaks in a documentary on a champion, it is that we are going a bit beyond the sport. Michael Jordan is a social phenomenon. And this series says as much about him as it does about us. This is also an icon. You see, you don't have to be unbeatable on the NBA to accept a last dance.