MJ was different. If you lived through the nineties, you know that. But for everyone else, the ten-part saga directed by Jason Hehir is basically the closest thing we have to a time machine. People still want to stream The Last Dance because it isn't just a highlight reel of a guy jumping from the free-throw line. It’s a psychological study of what happens when a human being decides that losing is literally not an option.
The 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season was a mess behind the scenes. Total chaos. Jerry Krause, the GM, had already decided Phil Jackson was gone after the season. Scottie Pippen was criminally underpaid and furious about it. Dennis Rodman was, well, being Dennis Rodman—which involved mid-season wrestling trips to Vegas.
Where to Actually Stream The Last Dance Right Now
You’ve got options, but they depend on where you’re sitting. In the United States, Netflix remains the heavy hitter for this one. They grabbed the rights after the initial ESPN run, and it’s stayed there because the rewatch value is insane. If you aren't a Netflix subscriber, you can find it on ESPN+, though the interface there can be a bit clunkier if you’re trying to binge all ten hours in a weekend.
International viewers usually have it easier. In the UK, Canada, and Australia, it’s been a Netflix staple since day one. Honestly, the global rollout was one of the smartest things ESPN ever did, considering Jordan is probably still the most recognizable athlete on the planet, even decades after hanging up the Washed-Up Wizards jersey.
The ESPN vs. Netflix Version Dilemma
Here is something people forget. When it first aired in 2020, there were two versions. ESPN ran a "clean" version and an "uncensored" version. If you stream The Last Dance on Netflix today, you’re getting the raw stuff. That means you get the full "and I took that personally" experience, complete with the colorful language that makes the locker room footage feel authentic. It’s better that way. You need to hear the grit in Jordan's voice when he's talking about Horace Grant or Isiah Thomas.
The Footage We Weren't Supposed to See
The whole reason this documentary exists is because of a massive gamble. In 1997, the Bulls allowed an NBA Entertainment crew to follow them around with unfettered access. The condition? The footage could only be used if Michael Jordan said so. For twenty years, that film sat in a vault in Secaucus, New Jersey.
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It stayed there. And stayed there.
Jordan finally green-lit the project in 2016. Why? Some people say it’s because he saw LeBron James winning a title in Cleveland and felt his "Greatest of All Time" status was being threatened. Whether that’s true or just a fun conspiracy theory, the result is the most intimate look at a sports dynasty ever captured on film.
Why the "Flu Game" Segment Still Sparks Debate
Episode 9 is the one everyone talks about. The Utah Jazz. The pizza. The 103-degree fever. To this day, people argue about whether it was the flu, food poisoning, or a hangover. In the doc, MJ's personal trainer Tim Grover is adamant: it was the pizza. Five guys delivered it. Jordan ate the whole thing. Nobody else touched it.
The footage of Jordan being carried off the court by Pippen is iconic, but the documentary adds a layer of grime to it. You see him in the training room looking like a ghost. It's not glamorous. It’s actually kind of uncomfortable to watch. That’s the "Last Dance" magic—it strips away the Gatorade commercial polish.
The Supporting Cast Wasn't Just "Supporting"
We have to talk about Scottie. The documentary received some flak—specifically from Pippen himself—for how it portrayed his role. Pippen was the Swiss Army knife of that team. He did everything Jordan didn't want to do on defense. But the doc focuses heavily on his contract dispute and his decision to delay surgery until the start of the season.
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It’s a complicated look at loyalty.
Then there’s Dennis Rodman. The man was a rebounding genius who treated the hardwood like a construction site. The documentary covers his 48-hour Vegas vacation in the middle of the Finals run. Phil Jackson, the "Zen Master," just let him go. He knew that to get the best out of Rodman, you had to let the man breathe. It’s a masterclass in management that you don't see in corporate seminars.
The Jerry Krause Villain Arc
Every story needs a villain. In this one, it’s the late Jerry Krause. It’s a bit unfair, honestly. Krause built the team. He found Pippen. He brought in Toni Kukoč. But because he wanted to prove the "organization" won championships and not just the players, he became the foil to Jordan’s hero narrative. The footage of Jordan relentlessly mocking Krause’s height and weight is tough to watch by modern standards. It shows the "dark side" of Michael’s competitiveness. He wasn't always a nice guy. He usually wasn't.
Technical Specs for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re going to stream The Last Dance, do it right. The documentary mixes 16mm film (the 98 footage) with high-definition modern interviews.
- Resolution: 4K is available on Netflix if you have the premium plan.
- Audio: The soundtrack is a 90s hip-hop dream. We’re talking Eric B. & Rakim, A Tribe Called Quest, and LL Cool J. Use good speakers.
- Pacing: It’s non-linear. It jumps between the 1998 season and the 80s constantly. If you get distracted by your phone, you will get lost in the timeline.
Addressing the "Propaganda" Claims
Ken Burns, the legendary documentarian, famously criticized The Last Dance. His issue? Jordan’s production company, Jump 23, was involved. Burns argued that you can't have a fair documentary when the subject is also the boss.
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He has a point.
The doc glosses over some of the gambling controversies and doesn't spend much time on Jordan’s first retirement through a critical lens. It’s definitely "The World According to Michael." But even as a piece of curated history, the access is undeniable. You see things you weren't meant to see, like Jordan crying on the floor after winning the 1996 title on Father's Day, his first without his dad.
Real-World Impact on the Memorabilia Market
After the doc aired, the market for MJ stuff went absolutely nuclear. A pair of game-worn Air Jordan 1s sold for over $500,000 shortly after. It wasn't just sneakers, though. Rookie cards, jerseys, even ticket stubs from 1984 started selling for the price of a mid-sized sedan. This is the power of a well-timed streaming release. It reminded a whole generation of "sneakerheads" why the Jumpman logo matters in the first place.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Rewatch
Don't just watch it for the dunks. Look at the eyes. There’s a scene where Jordan is listening to an iPad (an anachronism in a period piece) showing a video of Gary Payton talking about how he "guarded" MJ. Jordan’s reaction—that laugh—is probably the most famous meme of the decade. But look at his eyes after the laugh. The switch flips. He’s back in game mode instantly.
Next Steps for the Ultimate Fan Experience:
- Check the Soundtrack: Go find the official "The Last Dance" playlist on Spotify. It’s a perfect curation of the era's energy.
- Read "The Jordan Rules": If you want the unvarnished version that the documentary skips over, Sam Smith’s book is the essential companion piece.
- Watch the 1998 Finals Game 6: Once you finish the series, go to YouTube and watch the full, unedited Game 6 against Utah. Seeing the "Last Shot" in the context of the full game—not just the slow-motion doc version—is breathtaking.
- Explore the "Air" Movie: If you want to see the business side of how the Jordan brand started, the movie Air (2023) fills in the gaps of the early 80s that the documentary moves through quickly.
The Last Dance isn't just about basketball. It’s about the cost of greatness. It’s about what you’re willing to sacrifice—and who you’re willing to alienate—to be the best to ever do it. Whether you stream it on Netflix or ESPN, it’s ten hours that will make you want to go out and tackle whatever your own "Finals" happens to be.