Michael Jordan’s time in Washington was probably not the most glorious of his career, but it was the scene of many cult scenes. An icon of the franchise, she strongly deplored the stay of His Airness in the capital.
For an American show to be successful, the story told must have a happy outcome. Applauded by critics, The Last Dance was no exception. The famous docu-series on the career of Michael Jordan at the Bulls ends at the end of the 1997-98 financial year, during which he won his 6th title in 6 Finals contested.
But because Mike’s career wasn’t all of a Hollywood production, his joint history with the league didn’t end on this glorious page. Addicted to fields and competition, he could not help but push back the sneakers, at 38, for two final seasons in the jersey of the Wizards.
An adventure which, despite more than honest statistics for a player of his age, leaves a bitter taste to his fans, as to the supporters of Washington. They are indeed many to regret the arrival of MJ in the capital, like… Wes Unseld, then GM of the team. DC reporter Mike Wise recounts the anecdote in the Hang Up and Listen Podcast.
The most striking thing I could hear – and God bless his soul I can take his anonymity away today – was when Wes Unseld said to me, “Michael Jordan has been great for this franchise, in the sense that he has increased its value and made us respectable in other ways. But despite that, he poisoned the locker room. “
I answered him: “Really? How do you know ? “” How do I know? I just walked around asking all the players if they wanted to participate in buying a gift for his retirement, to give him something cool. They all refused. I said, “All the players ?! “, And he replied” Unanimously. “
Despite declining performances, Jordan kept a monster ego, which regularly earned him clashes with his partners in the capital. Ses punchlines envers Bryon Russell have, for example, remained cult, but have also deteriorated his image with certain other teammates. A disenchantment illustrated by this testimony from Unseld.
Michael Jordan’s stay at the Wizards has therefore not contributed to his brand image, and has caused a moribund atmosphere in the locker room of the franchise according to Wes Unseld. Decidedly, this Last Last Dance would have truly deserved never to exist.
