EXCLUSIVE: 'Michael Jordan: The Life' Author Names Key Player Left Out Of 'The Last Dance'

“The Last Dance” which narrates the documentary of NBA great Michael Jordan has had its share of criticism. The ten-part miniseries produced by ESPN Films and Netflix did not escape backlash for failing to highlight other drama from within the team during their glory years in the 1990s.

There were a lot of players to consider at that time. Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr among others. The list goes on and on and pundits feel that hearing the stories of other players could help basketball fans know better what happened on the Chicago Bulls during their title reigns.

Roland Lazenby, someone who has written more than five dozen nonfiction books feels that there was so much drama and underlying stories to tell during the Bulls’ run. In an exclusive interview with Sports For All PH, the “Bulls Run! The Story of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls” feels that Ron Harper was a player that was missing.

“To leave out Ron Harper and not emphasize his story? We saw how he was the heart of their pressure defense. When he went out, (referring to the 97 series when Harper had tendinitis) that was a different team without him. He stutters. He is a great player. I think they missed a pretty dramatic story there,” Lazenby said to Filipino journalist and hosts Brian Yalung and Vincent Juico last June 4.

Lazenby also pointed out that Harper had his share of the spotlight, calling him a Jordan-like player before he suffered a knee injury. The renowned author went on to point out how the eighth overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft played a role not only with the Bulls but also with the Los Angeles Lakers (1999-2001).

Ron Harper was “the guy,” he had been this Jordan-like player that suffered a devastating knee injury. He came back and made himself not only a role player that saved the Bulls but also a player that saved the Shaq and Kobe Lakers.

“Ron Harper was ‘the guy,’ he had been this Jordan-like player that suffered a devastating knee injury. He came back and made himself not only a role player that saved the Bulls but also a player that saved the Shaq and Kobe Lakers,” Lazenby explained.

Lazenby also stressed how Harper could speak “Bible’s of Truth.” He feels that “The Last Dance” left out some interesting parts, underlying stories from the Chicago Bull’s success in the 90s.

“And Ron Harper.. you can always count on him to speak Bible’s of truth. There was just so much drama. There were so much of these underlying stories,” Lazenby stated.