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[Saba Sports News] Scottie Pippen has recently softened his stance on the 2020 hit documentary The Last Dance, which chronicled the Chicago Bulls’ legendary 1990s dynasty.
Initially critical of how the series focused heavily on Michael Jordan at the expense of the team, Pippen now praises it as “a great documentary.”
“I thought it was very positive,” Pippen said. “I felt, at that time, we needed something positive and good to watch on TV. I felt the documentary was great; I didn’t have anything to do with it, which I was a little disappointed in, but it was a great documentary, and it won some awards.”
When The Last Dance aired during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became a cultural phenomenon, offering fans an in-depth look at the Bulls’ six championship runs.
Despite its acclaim, Pippen initially emerged as a vocal critic, arguing that the series unfairly portrayed the Bulls’ success as a one-man show centered on Jordan.
Pippen specifically took issue with his contributions being overshadowed and criticized episodes that focused disproportionately on Jordan’s heroics.
He famously quipped, “Each episode was the same: Michael on a pedestal, his teammates secondary.” He also objected to the inclusion of a 1994 incident where he refused to re-enter a game after coach Phil Jackson designed the final play for Toni Kukoc—a moment Pippen felt Jordan had no place commenting on.
Now, Pippen’s revised perspective acknowledges the documentary’s cultural and nostalgic significance. His softened critique suggests an appreciation for how The Last Dance immortalized the Bulls’ dynasty and introduced a new generation of fans to their dominance.
This shift comes alongside another notable reversal: Pippen recently declared Jordan as the greatest player of all time (GOAT), after years of vacillating between other candidates like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.
In hindsight, his evolving opinions reflect a growing willingness to reconcile past grievances and celebrate the collective success he shared with Jordan and the Bulls.
By embracing the documentary’s legacy, Pippen acknowledges the challenges and triumphs of being part of one of the NBA’s greatest teams—a testament to the passage of time and the enduring power of their story.