When the groundbreaking documentary “The Last Dance” debuted, it captivated audiences worldwide, offering an intimate look into the career of basketball legend Michael Jordan. However, one glaring omission from the documentary was the absence of current Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Many fans questioned why James, often regarded as Jordan's biggest rival for the title of the greatest basketball player of all time, was not featured in the series, Pinkvilla reports.

Jason Hehir, the director of “The Last Dance,” shed light on this deliberate exclusion during an appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast. Hehir explained that he intentionally chose not to include LeBron James in the documentary, citing the desire to focus solely on the events and personalities of the 1990s, particularly the 1997-98 NBA season, when the Chicago Bulls were at the height of their dominance. Hehir emphasized that including James, who was not a part of that era, would have been irrelevant to the documentary's narrative and objectives.

“If individuals at a bar want to reference ‘The Last Dance' during their GOAT discussions, that's great. But asking LeBron James about it is pointless. We can predict his answer's admiration for Jordan, his choice of jersey number 23, the influence of Jordan on his youth, and even his fondness for Jordan's shoes. In reality, there won't be any surprises,” Hehir explained further.

Reasoning Behind the Decision

Hehir elaborated on his decision, stating that engaging in a debate about Michael Jordan versus LeBron James was not the purpose of “The Last Dance.” He expressed skepticism about the value of asking James about Jordan, as he believed James's responses would have been predictable. Hehir anticipated that James would express admiration for Jordan, acknowledge his influence on his own career, and discuss his choice to wear Jordan's iconic jersey number 23. He further reasoned that since James was not active in the league during the 1997-98 season, his inclusion would not have contributed meaningfully to the documentary's exploration of that specific period in basketball history.

Despite the absence of LeBron James, “The Last Dance” received widespread acclaim and accolades, including the prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Hehir emphasized that the documentary's success was not contingent upon featuring James or engaging in debates about Jordan's legacy versus James's.

Future Considerations

While Hehir's decision to exclude LeBron James from “The Last Dance” may have disappointed some fans, it reflects the director's commitment to maintaining the documentary's focus on the 1990s era of basketball and Michael Jordan's unparalleled influence. However, there remains hope among fans that when the time comes for LeBron James' own documentary to come out, Michael Jordan's feelings and perspectives should be there, providing a holistic view of the rivalry and mutual respect between two of the NBA's greatest players.

In conclusion, the absence of LeBron James from “The Last Dance” was a deliberate decision by director Jason Hehir to maintain the documentary's thematic coherence and historical accuracy. While James's exclusion may have raised questions among fans, Hehir's explanation underscores the importance of staying true to the documentary's narrative objectives and focusing on the era it aimed to portray.