Utah Jazz Players React to Michael Jordan Documentary “Last Dance”

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Like seemingly everybody in the sports world, the Utah Jazz players sat down Sunday night to watch ESPN’s “Last Dance”, the premiere of the 10 part documentary that followed the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. The documentary covers Michael Jordan’s last season in Chicago, and the turmoil that surrounded the team before beating the Jazz in the ’98 Finals.

Though the wounds may be too fresh for some diehard Jazz fans, current players joined the masses on Twitter to celebrate the long-awaited series.

Before the debut episode, the Jazz team Twitter account shared a video of guard Byron Russell describing Jordan’s final and perhaps most famous made field goal, known simply as “the shot.”

"It was Mike." ¯_(ツ)_/¯ #SideNotes pic.twitter.com/nzVrEYdERf

— utahjazz (@utahjazz) April 20, 2020

Though Jazz fans still argue today that Jordan pushed Russell on the final play, insisting the Hall of Famer should have been whistled for a foul, Russell has a different view.

“I’ll say this,” Russell says, “That was the greatest no-call in the history of basketball.”

Once the series debuted, modern Jazz players started to chime in. Jazz fans have been critical of guard Donovan Mitchell’s recent silence when it comes to his relationship with teammate Rudy Gobert, but the All-Star guard’s request as the first episode began was understandable.

Don’t text me… don’t call me… I’m tuned!! #LastDance 🐐 #45

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) April 20, 2020

“Don’t text me,” Mitchell pleaded, “Don’t call me… I’m tuned!!!”

Though it may feel like the duo is currently on opposite ends of the world as teammates currently, both Gobert and Mitchell had similar sentiments when it came to watching “Last Dance.”

See yall later! #TheLastDance

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 20, 2020

“See yall later!” Gobert exclaimed shortly after the beginning of the documentary.

Like Gobert, Jazz forward Georges Niani expressed his excitement just minutes into the first episode.

#TheLastDance this is good stuff right here

— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) April 20, 2020

“#TheLastDance this is good stuff right here.” Niang said.

In addition to following the ’98 Bulls, the filmmakers also traveled back to Jordan’s childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina to examine the future superstar’s upbringing, his days playing high school basketball, and finally winning a national championship at North Carolina as a Freshman.

Including interviews with former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, the series effectively captures the true revelation that was Jordan on the sports world.

Episode two which debuted immediately following the first episode focused on the play of Bulls teammate and fellow Hall of Famers Scottie Pippin. The small forward was always second fiddle to Jordan’s fame but was crucial to the team’s success.

Perhaps seeing some of himself in the Pippen role, Gobert tweeted out his support for the lesser-known Bulls phenom.

Scottie Pippen’s impact on that team is still underrated. #TheLastDance

— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) April 20, 2020

“Scottie Pippen’s impact on that team is still underrated,” Gobert said.

Immediately following episode two, Mitchell shared a similar sentiment to many sports hungry fans around the globe.

Anybody else just sitting on the couch trynna figure out how to go on with your night 😂😂😂

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) April 20, 2020

“Anybody else just sitting on the couch trynna figure out how to go on with your night?” Mitchell asked.

Mitchell and the rest of the of those hungry to watch “Last Dance” episodes three and four will have to wait until next Sunday night. ESPN will broadcast two episodes each Sunday over a five-week span beginning at 9 p.m. EST. The series finale is set for May 17.