After finally getting Mark to watch Coach Carter, we got the basketball bug and decided to revisit the 2020 Netflix series The Last Dance, a ten-part docu-series which charts the rise of Michael Jordan and the 1990’s Chicago Bulls team as they cement their place as one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.

You don’t have to know anything about basketball to have heard the name, Michael Jordan, but this series does a great job of really showcasing the raw talent, skill and competitive mindset that goes with the name. You would be forgiven for expecting this series to be something of a puff piece but, by using archival footage and present day interviews from Jordan’s friends and foes alike, there is a little hint of darkness underneath, touching upon Jordan’s gambling habits and accusations of bullying. That being said, the series was co-produced by Jump 23, Michael Jordan’s own production company, so most of the footage we see has been vetted and approved for release by the big man himself.

Some viewers may struggle a little with the show’s timeline, as it is not told in a straight linear fashion but instead moves backwards and forwards over the years. It can take some getting used to but ultimately it is the right choice as it allows director Jason Hehir to establish the reputations of other main players and their roles in helping to cement the team’s place in the history books. As the saying goes, it takes a village and this is definitely an ethos that underpins the whole show, with the likes of Scotty Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr and coach Phil Jackson playing key roles in the story’s narration.

What really works well with The Last Dance is that you don’t need to have any prior knowledge of the Chicago Bulls, in fact it may be better if you don’t, and you definitely don’t need to know the ins and outs of basketball, in order to enjoy the series. Each episode is well paced, excellently edited and a perfect length. It doesn’t matter if you are a one-episode-at-a-time type of person or a habitual binge-watcher, add The Last Dance to your watchlist this weekend.

If you’ve already seen this series, then check out some of these other great documentaries.