Producers of acclaimed documentary The Last Dance have admitted that they used CGI to give the impression that the Bulls won the 1998 NBA title.
“Yes, it’s true, we did use some computer special effects in The Last Dance to conclude the narrative in a dramatically satisfying manner,” said director Jason Hehir.
The miniseries ends with the 1998 NBA finals, and Bulls defeating Utah Jazz for the second year in a row to claim the title and their second ‘3-peat’ of the nineties.
“See, that’s what got me thinking it was messed up,” said Stewart James, a basketball journalist who first revealed The Last Dance was partly fictional.
“I remember the Jazz around that time and, don’t get me wrong, as a team they were pretty good, but twice NBA finalists? That didn’t ring true.”
It was James’ investigation that led to Hehir’s admission.
“I know that some people will be disappointed to learn that the Bulls only won the five titles in the 90s, but I don’t think that will spoil their enjoyment of the miniseries we created which ends in such a dramatic and thrilling fashion,” continued Hehir.
He denied accusations that his use of CGI was wrong.
“Do we have a duty to tell the truth or present a great story? I’d argue the latter,” he said.
“And the only really satisfying ending for that story is to have the Bulls win a sixth title. So, that’s how our story ends.
“It’s not like this is the first use of CGI in basketball. You think the bunny in Space Jam is real? Or Michael Jordan? Of course not. All CGI.”
Since the revelations, Netflix have offered to add an addendum to the final episode stating who actually won the 1998 NBA title but, sadly, no one can remember who that was.
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