Film perfect because MJ wasn’t
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loyalty for those who did get close to him, as evidenced by his relationships with the men on his security team and his pronouncements that he would not play for anyone but Phil Jackson. His acts of charity were numerous, and often done out of the public eye.
Even the harsh treatment directed at his teammates came from a place of good, although misguided, intentions.
But Jordan’s goal was never to be Everyman. He wasn’t trying to win Humanitarian of the Year awards or the Nobel Peace Prize. He wanted to be the best basketball player he could be, the best basketball player there was.
If you expected more from him than that and have come away disappointed, that’s your failing, not his.
“When people see this, they are going say, ‘Well he wasn’t really a nice guy. He may have been a tyrant.’ Well, that’s you. Because you never won anything,” Jordan said in Episode 7. “I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win to be a part of that as well.
“Look, I don’t have to do this. I am only doing it because it is who I am. That’s how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don’t want to play that way, don’t play that way.”
Jordan’s participation in “Last Dance” was essential, and it says something that he was as open as he was. Sure, there was some revisionist history. But Jordan did more than simply allow the filmmakers to explore the unflattering aspects of his character, he actively participated in it.
Maybe he wanted to explain himself or soften the harsh glare cast upon him. Or maybe he recognized what all of us came to see these last five weeks: As enthralling as Jordan was as a god, he is equally fascinating as a human being.