KEY POINTS

  • "The Last Dance" director named two of Michael Jordan's rivals who refused to be in the documentary
  • "The Last Dance" refueled animosity between Jordan and Pistons legend Isiah Thomas
  • Reggie Miller didn't want to be part of "The Last Dance"

ESPN's “The Last Dance” director Jason Hehir named two of Michael Jordan’s iconic rivals who refused to be interviewed for the documentary.

The 10-part documentary “The Last Dance” turned out to be a huge success. It brought up the most memorable highlights of Jordan’s stellar NBA career. But aside from revisiting the greatest moments of Jordan and the Bulls, it also relived the rivalries MJ had during his prime.

In one of the earlier episodes, Jordan’s hardships battling Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons’ so-called “Bad Boys” were revisited. The revelations refueled the animosity between Jordan and Thomas. Many were surprised with the grudges both legends hold against each other. However, according to “The Last Dance” director Hehir, there were two NBA legends who are apparently still salty about rivaling Jordan.

Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Perloff recently reported that Hehir revealed that both Utah Jazz legends Karl Malone and Bryon Russell refused to be interviewed for the documentary.

Hehir did not divulge further details as to why the pair declined to take part in the series. However, it is kind of evident that Malone still feels bad about MJ hindering his NBA title run given their team managed to make it to the finals twice.

7. Karl Malone
Karl Malone, at 6’10” and 260 pounds, was a freak of nature.Malone was a bully in the power forward position. He often intimidated people with his thunderous dunks, powerful physique, and the occasional elbow.At his prime, he can dunk anyone, centers included. In fact, one of the earlier experiences of Shaquille O’Neal as a young player in the NBA is being on the receiving end of a Karl Malone power dunk. Reuters

As for Russell, it isn’t quite a shock to know that he seems to have been holding a grudge on Jordan following the controversial moment they shared in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

The finale featured Jordan’s final shot as a member of the Chicago Bulls which helped the team cop their sixth NBA title. Some believe that the then-Bulls star pushed his defender, Russell in order to clear himself off for a pull-up jumper.

As expected, the playing of the shot in the documentary reignited the controversy behind it regarding whether or not Russell was really pushed by Jordan and whether or not an offensive foul should’ve been called in the dying seconds of the game. But The Athletic’s Michael Lee recently revealed that Danny Crawford, a referee officiating the game, insisted that it was a really hard play to call at the time, and based on his experience as an official, it could “go either way.”

Aside from Malone and Russell, Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller was also one of the Jordan’s rivals who did not want to take part in “The Last Dance.” As an obvious part of the deal, ESPN and the NBA needed Jordan’s approval before interviewing anybody for the said documentary. Reading between the lines, Jordan approved Miller’s interview but the Pacers legend insisted that he never wanted to be a part of it.

“I tried to fight it. I didn’t want to do it. I had everybody from the league office saying you need to be a part of this,” Miller admitted.

Reggie Miller Michael Jordan
Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan show each other respect after Wizards vs. Pacers game Getty Images / NBA Photos
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