GP doesn't think MJ made a mistake showing his dark side in 'The Last Dance': "He showed you a side of him nobody had ever seen"

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which practically locked people in their homes, the NBA world was arguably the least affected. First, Adam Silver ensured a fantastic organization of the season’s resumption and playoffs in the Orlando bubble. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, emerged as champions.

At the time, this divided fans between those who believed this was a unique title under unique conditions, where players were separated from family and the real world for so long, and those who thought the title didn’t count like other championships for various reasons. Either way, after winning that title, James began to defend his reputation with statements like calling the 2020 bubble championship the purest form of basketball.

“I agree with what a lot of people say when it’s the purest form of hoops,” the Los Angeles Lakers superstar said. “It was just strictly basketball. We have the ability to do anything in life; we’ve made a bunch of money. We have all the access. That was gone in the bubble… Everything in the bubble was strictly about basketball.”

Peak of conversations about Bron as the new possible GOAT challenging MJ

The second great thing that was NBA-related in that specific time was Michael Jordan‘s documentary, “The Last Dance”, which was also being released earlier that year. These were footage materials kept for 30 years and ready for use, and the project really began around 2016 when LeBron came back from a 1-3 deficit in the Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first time in league history, bringing The Land its first historic title. That four-year span between the two titles was the peak of conversations about LeBron as the new possible GOAT challenging Michael.

Apparently, that title motivated Jordan to create the documentary to remind everyone of his legacy. Although many thought the documentary would cover the entire Chicago Bulls team, it mostly focused on MJ as an unshakable winner despite all obstacles the Bulls faced, from the death of Mike’s father, disputes with Jerry Krause, resistance to accepting Toni Kukoc, to Scottie Pippen’s injuries.

For the first time, the documentary also showed Jordan’s other side: a side that treated his teammates like a tyrant, with no leniency, sometimes even harshly. Michael was relentless, expecting his teammates to match his work ethic and understanding of the game if they wanted to win. Gary Payton, one of MJ’s fiercest rivals at the time, reflected on the wave of criticism His Airness received for how he treated teammates and for making the documentary about himself rather than the Bulls.

“You know what? That’s his documentary,” Payton said in an interview with DirectTV Insider. “He can do whatever he wants to do with it, whatever way. It was a piece where it came out at the right time. Everybody was home. He was a popular guy. He showed you a side of him nobody had ever seen. And that’s what documentaries are about. It doesn’t matter what is said in there. It’s about what you can get the people to understand and see, about what was happening to his career. And he got that over very well.”

Jordan showed how much he pushed average players to exceed their limits

Payton, known as a tough character, best understood why Jordan did what he did; it was all for the sake of success. This was simply his way, and MJ’s 6-0 Finals record proves he was right. None of his former teammates today would ever talk smack about Michael; in fact, everyone is grateful to have shared the court with him, as his surreal performances in the ’90s brought them fame, money and a permanent spot in the history books. The price of success came with everything Mike embodied.

Returning to LeBron, who paired with All-Star teammates after years of struggles to win titles, Michael, in a sense, through the documentary, showed how much he pushed average players to exceed their limits and how difficult it was for him to bring them to that level. While there were a few great names on the rosters over the years, the team was built organically and without shortcuts. It was Jordan’s answer to all the noise about James as the possible GOAT.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

GP doesn’t think MJ made a mistake showing his dark side in ‘The Last Dance’: “He showed you a side of him nobody had ever seen”

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