CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The highly-anticipated ESPN documentary “The Last Dance,” which begins tonight, isn’t all about Michael Jordan and how he helped make the Chicago Bulls one of the NBA’s all-time best teams. Remember, the Worm was squirming through this epic last run for a title.
“Scottie and Phil and MJ had to increase the conscious effort of having to make sure D.Rod didn’t veer off the reservation because he was, obviously, a big piece of us having success,” said Lubara Dixon "Dickey" Simpkins, who played for the Bulls from 1994 to 1997 and again from 1998 to 2000.
Simpkins explaining the trials and tribulations of Dennis Rodman, nicknamed "the Worm," who just added to the challenges this team had to face. Randy Brown also played on that 1997-1998 team.
“He was asked to join this bulls franchise where he was hated and he brought flair, he brought excitement. Michael challenged Scottie. He challenged Dennis. Dennis challenged us all and he was able to put together a fine season,” remembered Brown, who played for the Bulls from 1995 to 2000 and won three NBA championships with them.
Brown also worked as an assistant coach for the team from 2015 to 2018.
Very fine dotted with controversy. Just another backdrop to this highly anticipated 10-part docuseries, which begins tonight at 9 p.m. ET with two episodes and continues for the next five weeks on ESPN.
The 1997-1998 season was Jordan’s last with the bulls after 14 years. It also marked the team’s sixth championship-winning season, the last the franchise has won. In total, Jordan and the Bulls won six championships: the 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 seasons.