Four years after its release, ESPN’s The Last Dance has become an industry in itself. While it provided us with some legendary content from the Chicago Bulls’ heyday in the 1990s, it didn’t come without its share of controversies. Fans were quick to point out supposed inaccuracies such as Michael Jordan‘s claim about Horace Grant being a primary source for the infamous The Jordan Rules book and Gary Payton’s response to Jordan laughing at him in the docu-series. Jason Hehir, the director of the iconic series, addressed these criticisms, offering some intriguing behind-the-scenes insights.

On the podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, Hehir delved into the making of the documentary, shedding light on the creative process and the backlash it received. Hehir emphasized that his approach was unbiased. He specifically mentioned the MJ and Horace Grant beef as an example of the documentary’s balanced portrayal.

In The Last Dance, Jordan claimed that Horace Grant was the primary source for Sam Smith’s book, The Jordan Rules. Both Grant and Smith promptly denied this assertion. “I think he had a beef with it because Michael said Horace Grant was the source Sam Smith used primarily for the book… and Horace Grant and Sam are adamant that it wasn’t them,” Hehir explained on the podcast. He further clarified, “All of those people that I just mentioned to you expressed those sentiments in the doc; it wasn’t like we said Michael said it and we just left it at that.”

Moreover, Hehir recounted the viral iPad incident involving Gary Payton. The documentary shows Jordan laughing at Payton’s claim of slowing him down during games. Hehir explained how he included this scene, featuring Payton himself, saying, “So what was I supposed to do, give Gary Payton an iPad of Michael looking at an iPad of him and then we get into this vortex of iPads?”

However, Hehir urged fans not to direct their frustration at MJ or the NBA. “Be upset with me,” he stated, taking full responsibility for the creative choices in the documentary.

Horace Grant and Gary Payton’s response to Michael Jordan

During an interview on ESPN 1000’s Kap and Co., Horace Grant, who was part of Michael Jordan’s championship-winning Chicago Bulls in the early 1990s, passionately denied being the source for Sam Smith’s controversial book. “Lie, lie, lie. … If MJ had a grudge with me, let’s settle this like men,” Grant exclaimed, pushing back against Jordan’s claims in The Last Dance.

Moreover, Grant suggested that Jordan’s accusation stemmed from a personal grudge. He explained, “Sam and I have always been great friends. We’re still great friends. But the sanctity of that locker room, I would never put anything personal out there.” Grant pointed out that Smith, as an investigative reporter, needed multiple sources for his book. “Why would MJ just point me out?” he asked, questioning the validity of Jordan’s allegations. Smith himself backed up Grant’s stance, calling the idea that Grant was the sole source “nonsense.”

Grant was even part of the No Bull Tour with former teammates Scottie Pippen and Luc Longley in Australia earlier this year. While the trio’s aim was to tell untold stories about their time together in the 90s, all three of them were left disappointed by their portrayals in The Last Dance. So, many people believed that this tour was in response to the docu-series and to make sure their names aren’t dragged through the mud further.

Adding another layer to the controversy, in an interview, Gary Payton shared his thoughts on Jordan laughing at him in the docuseries. Payton acknowledged, “He wouldn’t be Michael Jordan if he would have bowed down there.” He added, “If it was my documentary and they asked me the same thing I would have laughed too and been like ‘No he couldn’t go at me neither.’”

Payton’s candid comments underscore a competitive spirit, recognizing that even if Jordan struggled against “The Glove,” admitting it would be out of character for the fiercely competitive legend.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.