Latest news with #TheLastDance
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Business
- USA Today
Popular deal: Stream ESPN+ for $4.99 per month for three months
Popular deal: Stream ESPN+ for $4.99 per month for three months Can't get enough sports? Well, you're in luck: ESPN just dropped the price of ESPN+ for a limited time. From now until June 20, new and eligible returning subscribers can get their first three months of the service for $4.99/month, which is a whopping 58% off the usual $11.99/month price. That's a boat load of savings that'll get you access to everything ESPN+ has to offer—whether its live sports, original shows or archived events. ESPN+ has countless hours of content readily available to those who subscribe. So, if you're ready to save big and enjoy some of your favorite sports, now is the time to act as that deal disappears on June 20. Here's how you can subscribe today and start enjoying ESPN+. Subscribe and save over 50% on ESPN+ How to get over 50% off on ESPN+ What is ESPN+? ESPN+ is ESPN's streaming service that gives fans access to countless games, shows and events across multiple different sports. Some of the leagues ESPN+ airs includes NHL, MLB, Formula 1, UFC, LaLiga, PGA Tour, NBA G League, NLL, PLL, collegiate sports and more. Original shows are a large part of ESPN+, with the likes of The Last Dance, The Captain, Tom Brady's Man in The Arena, Shohei Ohtani: Beyond the Dream among the many available on ESPN+. How much is ESPN+? From now until June 20, ESPN+ is $4.99/month for the first three months for new and eligible returning subscribers. However, ESPN+ is typically $11.99/month or $119.99/year, which saves customers 15%. You can also bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ (all with ads) for $16.99/month. Start streaming ESPN+
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"It's some really bad stuff going on in the locker room" - Charles Barkley on what bothers him the most about "The Last Dance"
When ESPN's "The Last Dance" dropped in the spring of 2020, it didn't just revive old debates but split open locker rooms that many believed had long been sealed shut. The 10-part docuseries, built around the iconic 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season, landed like an earthquake. With Michael Jordan at the core, it was raw (maybe too raw) and not everyone appreciated how deep the cameras dug or how it painted a narrative. Staying in the locker room Charles Barkley played both with and against Jordan during the '90s. He was Jordan's close friend, but he never backed down from calling things as he saw them — including what rubbed him the wrong way about The Last Dance. Advertisement "Whatever happens in the locker room, stays in the locker room," Barkley said. "And that's one thing about this documentary — it's like, nah, it's some really bad stuff going on in the locker room; you guys don't really wanna know. Y'all just wanna see us play basketball. Y'all don't wanna see what goes on behind the scenes. That's probably the one thing that disappoints me the most about the documentary." For decades, the mantra of "what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room" defined the silent code among NBA players. It was a sanctuary, a place where heated arguments, private jokes and personal struggles unfolded away from the public gaze. That unwritten law was shattered the moment the camera rolled inside. And it wasn't a hidden camera either. In fact, the team had given a film crew unprecedented access throughout the 1997–98 season. Over 500 hours of footage were captured — some of it during flights, others in hotel rooms and much of it in the locker room — where tempers flared and alliances frayed. Jordan initially agreed to the filming during that season but only greenlit its release nearly two decades later in 2016, when the world had changed and nostalgia was ripe. But for Barkley, the timing didn't erase principle. Advertisement The idea of the documentary being solely about the 1997–98 Bulls season fell apart the moment the narrative shifted. Though promoted as a portrait of the team's final championship run, The Last Dance quickly became the Jordan story, orbiting his triumphs, rivalries, grudges and psyche. That shift sparked resentment among several former Bulls players, who felt reduced to footnotes in a saga they had helped build. Related: "I just got tired of hearing it and just thought it was best for me to move on" - Patrick Ewing admits he regrets leaving the Knicks out of spite The Last Dance criticisms Scottie Pippen, in particular, was vocal about feeling disrespected by how the series portrayed him. Horace Grant called the documentary "Bulls—" and disputed the accuracy of certain scenes. Even coaches and team staff expressed concern that the edit leaned too heavily in favor of Jordan's perspective. Advertisement But Barkley's frustration didn't stop at storytelling bias. His issue ran deeper. It was about the loss of mystery, the erosion of a boundary that once protected athletes from public dissection. Player privacy meant something especially in the locker room, and dignity and discretion were closely tied. "I hate that a lot of people are going to see a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes," Barkley said, reflecting on his discomfort over what was shown. The documentary's viewership numbers confirmed its global impact. Averaging 5.6 million viewers per episode during its original run and eventually reaching an even broader audience through Netflix, The Last Dance became one of the most-watched sports documentaries ever. But popularity didn't mean universal approval. It was, in many ways, a mirror — one that reflected greatness but also laid bare the cracks beneath it. Barkley's concerns weren't just about Jordan. They were about legacy, camaraderie and the invisible toll of lifting the veil. Advertisement In the end, The Last Dance did what all great sports documentaries do: it reignited debate. It celebrated dominance. It brought myths back to life. But in doing so, it also altered the lens through which players from that golden era will now be seen. Related: "That's probably his greatest contribution" - Charles Barkley says Michael Jordan changed the game far more off the court than on it
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"I never saw one free agent come to the Bulls and say that they wanna play with Michael" - Scottie Pippen reinforces the notion that no other big-name players had interest in playing with MJ
There's no denying that when the Chicago Bulls dominated the '90s, Michael Jordan stood at the center of it all — the man, the myth, the legend. But if you ask Scottie Pippen, that legend came with a price. And for some players, that price wasn't worth paying. The Hall of Fame forward recently opened up once again about what life was really like during those championship runs. And while history and most of the narratives tend to glorify the dominance of Jordan, Pippen made it clear that MJ's success didn't just exist in a vacuum. Mike wanted nothing but the best According to the seven-time All-Star, that relentless, cutthroat leadership style might've won titles, but it also spooked away a lot of talent and terrorized his teammates. Advertisement "I'll put it like this. Out of all my years that I played in Chicago and played with Michael, I never saw one free agent come to the Bulls and say that they wanna play there with Michael. I do recall a couple of them coming there during the offseason when he retired, the two years he was away from the game," the Arkansas native said a while back in Stacey King's "Gimme The Hot Sauce" podcast. Jordan's fire and obsession with winning are legendary. But as "The Last Dance" documentary reminded everyone, that fire was the hottest in practices, behind closed doors. It was directed at teammates, young players, and anyone who didn't meet his standard, which, by the way, was on an unprecedented level. For some, it was motivation to get better and prove that they belonged in the big boys' league, standing side by side with one of the greatest players ever. For others, it was suffocating. Pip, once considered Mike's right hand and partner in crime, didn't mince his words when talking about this sensitive subject. Advertisement "So I say that to say this: the success of the Bulls came from the team, it didn't come from Michael Jordan. It didn't come from him being critical of other players, if anything it discouraged other players. No player wants to be talked down to, belittled or even made fun of, in some way. I felt like that was all the things that were brought out in a documentary… It's on video," the six-time Champion added. Related: Coach who recruited Manute Bol admits he made up his birthday: "He was probably 40, 50 years old when he was playing in the NBA" Legit statement or just some bad blood? Although there is definitely some bad blood behind Pippen's statements, he's not completely wrong. Throughout their dynasty years, the Bulls were rarely viewed as a destination for top-tier free agents, but, on the other hand, they really didn't need any. The team was built through drafting, trades and development — a system that worked to perfection under Phil Jackson. Advertisement But when Jordan retired for the first time in 1993, things shifted slightly. In his absence, the Bulls brought in veterans like Ron Harper, while Toni Kukoc finally arrived from Europe after years of anticipation. While they weren't superstar-caliber signings, their arrival might be exactly what Pippen was referring to: players more willing to join a Bulls locker room that didn't have Jordan in it. Scottie's relationship with Michael has become increasingly complex in recent years. From public comments to memoir excerpts, the cracks in their once-unbreakable dynamic have been on full display. And it seems it will stay that way for years to come. If there's one thing that's become crystal clear over time, it's that Pippen wants his share of the credit. It might be a jealousy thing, but it also might be out of principle. The Arkansas native wasn't just MJ's sidekick; he was the glue, the balance, the other half of a dynasty. And now, he's just making sure everyone remembers it, one way or another. Related: "Their egos are huge, and I don't bow down to people like that" - Pippen says he'll never be able to forgive Jordan and Jackson
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Eagles Aren't Being Respected As Super Bowl Champions?
For a team that won the Super Bowl in dominating fashion, including scoring a combined 95 points in both the conference championship and big game, the Philadelphia Eagles aren't being respected as an all-time great team in league history. The greatest example of this came with ESPN's latest documentary announcement. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni with Fox NFL Sunday co-host Terry Bradshaw after Super Bowl Burke-Imagn Images The same crew that created Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" is creating another documentary on the 2024-25 football season. Not on the dominance of the Eagles, though. Advertisement It's on the Kansas City Chiefs and their attempt to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight titles. It's clear that ESPN was working on the documentary well before Kansas City reached the Super Bowl. But the fact that the network is still going through with the kind of video that is usually reserved for champions is straight up laughable. And shows how much disrespect the Eagles continue to get. As the Eagles blew out the Chiefs 40-22 in February, the big question and comments made were focused on Kansas City's loss. They questioned Patrick Mahomes' legacy, and why Jalen Hurts' age MVP wasn't considered that big of a deal because of the team around him. Advertisement Related: One Big Mistake Eagles Overcame To Win Super Bowl The documentary is just the tip of the iceberg there. And while the Eagles are undoubtedly the defending champions, it is clear that they have even more to prove going into the new season. Simply because of the fact no one is giving them the kind of respect worthy of being the best in the world at this point. Related: Failed Eagles Linebacker Signs With AFC Team Why Eagles Aren't Being Respected As Super Bowl Champions? first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 23, 2025
Axios
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
New movies and shows this week on Netflix, Apple TV+ and Prime Video
Here's what's new on Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, HBO Max and Hulu. What we're watching: The final season of "Big Mouth," a new star-studded adventure film and a docuseries about one of NASCAR's biggest icons. " Big Mouth" season eight available Friday on Netflix State of play: Nick Kroll's NSFW animated series comes to an end as the gang faces new challenges in high school like puberty, driving, and uncertain futures. What to try: Two seasons of the show's spinoff, " Human Resources," are available to stream. " Fountain of Youth" available Friday on Apple TV+ The intrigue: John Krasinski, Natalie Portman and Stanley Tucci star in this action-adventure film about two estranged siblings who reunite to find the mythological fountain of youth. " Earnhardt" available now on Prime Video The vibe: This four-part documentary is a deep dive into the life, career, and complex family dynamics of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt with archival footage, home videos and interviews from his children, competitors and close friends. My thought bubble: If you like documentaries like "The Last Dance," you'll enjoy this. " Pee-wee as Himself" on HBO Max The late comedian Paul Reubens recounts his life story and the creation of Pee-wee Herman in this two-part documentary directed by Matt Wolf ("The Stroll"). Available Friday " Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark" on Netflix Netflix's newest dating experiment follows a group of singles and their casual flings to discover if they are meant to be with each other or someone else. Available now " Nine Perfect Strangers" season two on Hulu Nicole Kidman returns as the mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko who invites nine new strangers to a wellness retreat full of twists in the Austrian Alps. Available now " She The People" on Netflix Tyler Perry's comedy series follows a newly elected Mississippi Lieutenant Governor (played by Terri J. Vaughn) who realizes the job will involve a lot more than she expected. Available now " Jerrod Carmichael: Don't Be Gay" on HBO Max Carmichael dives into the dynamics of his relationship in his fourth HBO stand-up special. Available Saturday " Untold: The Fall of Favre" on Netflix This documentary examines the multiple off-the-field scandals of three-time NFL MVP Brett Favre. Available now " Motorheads" on Prime Video This drama series follows a pair of teen siblings trying to adjust to life in a new town and finding a way to bond over cars and street racing. Available now " Sirens" on Netflix Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon star in this dark comedy series that explores the mythology of sirens against the backdrop of women, family, power and class. Available now " Fear Street: Prom Queen" on Netflix This next installment of the "Fear Street" franchise is based on 1992's "The Prom Queen" by R.L. Stine. Available Friday " Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds" on Netflix
