Last Dance Producer Breaks Silence on Scottie Pippen’s Criticism of Hit Docuseries

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It’s almost five years since “The Last Dance” premiered, and it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, ESPN’s Bulls-focused documentary series provided an enjoyable escape for many viewers. The show received high ratings and praise from fans and critics alike, but one person who wasn’t impressed was Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, who criticized both the series and his former teammate Michael Jordan. Recently, TopMob spoke with one of the producers, who shared his thoughts on the backlash and more.

Initially, Scottie Pippen dismissed rumors of being angry about the documentary, but later confessed to telling Michael Jordan (the one with the production company) that he wasn’t completely satisfied. Since then, they haven’t exchanged words. This happened in 2020 and by late 2021, Pippen shared more straightforward opinions on the documentary in his memoir, Unguarded. He argued that the production excessively praised Jordan while neglecting other players’ contributions. Additionally, he stated that the production portrayed him as self-centered.

Jake Rogal was one of the producers on the series “Last Dance,” now streaming with a Netflix subscription. I recently spoke with Rogal, as he promoted his latest work, the docuseries “Court of Gold” he directed. When I asked about the feelings expressed by the former small forward, Rogal confessed that he felt “sorry” about them. Additionally, he clarified that he didn’t think the documentary portrayed the six-time NBA champion in a negative manner.

Absolutely, when Scottie speaks in this way, it’s hard not to feel sympathetic because I had a positive impression of him from the documentary. His interviews are outstanding, and during his injury, he was like a hero, even playing as a decoy. He’s truly a legend for the Bulls and the sport as a whole. So, I was taken aback by his statement because I believed that the portrayal of Scottie in the documentary was honest and favorable, not biased or inaccurate. We were simply telling the story, and I saw Scottie as a hero within this narrative. I hold nothing but respect and admiration for him, and I hope he will one day appreciate his role in this tale.

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During the 1997-1998 season with the Bulls, there were accusations that Scottie Pippen deliberately postponed ankle surgery. This was done to avoid rehabilitation during his summer break. However, this decision also meant he wasn’t ready for the team until deep into the regular season. Over the years, fans have had differing opinions about Pippen’s choice, but following that time, he has been repeatedly lauded for his on-court performance and impact on both the Bulls and basketball as a whole. Jake Rogal’s compliments serve as an example of the ongoing admiration for Pippen.

Indeed, it wasn’t just Scottie Pippen who had concerns regarding the series; Horace Grant, a former Bulls player who featured in the documentary, criticized it for being mislabeled as such. Michael Jordan, in the film, alleged that Grant leaked locker room secrets, but this allegation was met with contention by Grant himself. Steve Kerr, another interviewee, generally found the documentary acceptable, yet expressed some dissatisfaction about how Pippen was portrayed. In light of these perspectives, I inquired whether there were any adjustments the co-producer would make to the production process, and he responded candidly.

To put it another way, I strongly believe we achieved our goal and did so with integrity, thorough research, and by asking the right questions to the right sources. I can’t conceive of a different approach, and as you mentioned earlier, producing any documentary is quite remarkable given all the factors that need to align perfectly. Therefore, I take great pride in the fact that our large-scale documentary made it to air.

Jake Rogal’s conviction that no changes were necessary seems tough to dispute given that the documentary ultimately produced won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. However, everyone has the right to their own opinion about it. As for Scottie Pippen, it remains uncertain whether his opinions on the series might shift in the future, as Rogal hopes they might.

As a movie connoisseur, I strongly encourage you to form your own opinions about “The Last Dance”, a gripping tale available for streaming on Netflix right now. And while you’re there, don’t miss out on “Court of Gold”, the latest six-part docuseries that offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at men’s basketball teams competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Happy viewing!

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2025-02-27 20:19