«MJ's »The Last Dance" and perhaps the first for you

Unpublished article- Alissa Musumeci

Brooklyn, 1963: a star is born. The star, is Michael Jordan. As a kid, he was crazy about sports, especially basketball, as you might have guessed. His father urged him to embark on a career in sports. Fifteen years old, and the difficulties begin. Too low: his 1m80 height meant he could only play as a substitute. But MJ's determination and will to succeed enabled him to make his mark. He scores his first basket for the Tar Heels of North Carolina in 1982. A «decisive» moment in his career. As soon as he arrived in the NBA, Michael quickly made a name for himself. His shot rate was off the charts. His remarkable performances put him in the headlines of Sports Illustrated, one of America's leading sports weeklies. «A Star is born», the magazine headlines. Popularity that triggers the jealousy of his older teammates. But the young basketball player doesn't give up.

MJ and his Chicago Bulls begin the 89-90 season with the recruitment of two other young prodigies: Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen. Michael spoke of his deep bond with the latter: «You can't talk about Michael Jordan without mentioning Scottie, I haven't won a championship without him, that's why I consider him my best teammate». Scottie was an unconditional fan of Michael's, without realizing that the admiration was entirely mutual. Humility and altruism have always characterized MJ. Off the pitch too. Youth promoted and supported through his civic association Boys and Girls in America; or the relentless yet dignified fight for African-Americans. His voice was crucial in the George Floyd case.

The Last Dance

The documentary mini-series The Last Dance is essentially based on MJ's 97-98 season with the Chicago Bulls. Ten fifty-minute episodes punctuated by exclusive footage from the era. These include the most memorable games in Bulls history, as well as intimate testimonials from Jordan's former team-mates. Dennis Rodman, an eccentric former basketball player, candidly explains how Jordan's support and help helped him find stability in an increasingly tumultuous career. He taught her the importance of surpassing oneself, but also of the rigor and strict obedience one needs to manage as a professional. Deloris Jordan, our man's mother, recounts how she relied heavily on her son's first coaches to teach him how to grow up as a young adult, and not just as an athlete.

Read also | Campeones, champions of the love of sport

Michael was a very competitive and disciplined boy. He was always looking to excel and give his best. That's why the advice and criticism of his coaches meant so much to him. He makes no secret of the difficulties he encountered when drugs and alcohol began to take over his life with the Bulls. But there was no question of him following in his comrades' footsteps: success always remained his priority.

To help young people learn to aim high

An all-ages production, to be sure. It can be particularly useful for young people. To learn to persevere, to aim high, to believe in one's resources, to see that everyone can find their place, to reach their goals, again and again. To believe more than anything else. Despite the difficulties, and even with these.

And Michael was never «content» with his exploits. He used his popularity to champion causes close to his heart, because he was aware of his media influence. Yet the series shows that he never felt «out of the world» like so many of his contemporaries. stars. Never denying that his family was humble, that his parents taught him to earn everything: to take nothing for granted in either his career or his private life. A stream of positive points for episodes built with intelligence and vigor. MJ's biography hits the mark. The ball bounces. Passes. Now it's your turn: maybe a star will be born.

Write to the author: alissa.musumeci@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Netflix and TMBD