10 Reasons Why The Last Dance On Netflix Is Unmissable
5. A Look At The Death Of Jordan’s Father And How It Transitioned His Career
The docuseries is not just about basketball. It's more important than that.
Following the third straight championship for the Bulls, Michael’s father, James is mugged and murdered in his home state of North Carolina. Devastated from losing his best friend and already mentally bruised from successive championship seasons. Michael is also blamed by the media for his father’s death. With some wrongly claiming that a debt racked up by Michael may have played some part in his father’s death.
Michael would send shockwaves through basketball with his retirement from the sport prior to the 1993/1994 season. He takes up baseball due to the shared love of the sport he had with his dad. Although some considered the career change to be a joke, Michael did show potential in baseball with Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox Owner Jerry Reinsdorf suggesting Michael could have made it to the Major Leagues.
Following 18 months out, Michael returned to basketball and to winning ways almost immediately. However, the shadow of his father casts over the remaining episodes, never more so than after Michael’s first championship win without his dad watching. Captured in a heart-breaking moment, Michael retreats to the locker room and collapses to the floor without his best friend to celebrate with.
Watching it all play out is one of the most stunning parts of the entire series.