Craig Hodges criticizes Michael Jordan, ‘salty' about ‘Last Dance' exclusion

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Like many people around the world, Craig Hodges has been watching “The Last Dance.”

Unlike many people around the world, Hodges was a part of that story. He’s also not happy he wasn’t interviewed for the documentary. And he sure has plenty to say about what he’s watching.

The former Bulls guard did a radio interview on “The Odd Couple” with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker and criticized some of what he heard from Michael Jordan on the documentary. For starters, Hodges didn’t like hearing about the cocaine circus story from the first episode.

“That bothered me because I was thinking about the brothers who are on that picture with you who have to explain to their families who are getting ready to watch this great Michael Jordan documentary event and they know you’re on the team, and now you’ve got to explain that to a 12-year-old boy,” Hodges said.

Hodges wasn’t with the Bulls at the time of that story, which was Jordan’s rookie year of 1984-85. Hodges joined the Bulls in 1988 and was on the Bulls’ first two title teams. He won the 3-point contest at All-Star weekend three straight years from 1990-1992.

RELATED: 'Last Dance' director Jason Hehir 'shocked' Michael Jordan approved Episodes 7 & 8

Hodges was outspoken during his career and has openly criticized Jordan before. As far as the documentary, Hodges also didn’t like Jordan calling Scottie Pippen selfish and blaming Horace Grant for “The Jordan Rules” leaks. 

“If MJ knows something else and knows Horace’s motive, then tell us how Horace did it for my sake, because I’m your teammate brother, just like they are, and I’m kind of salty how everybody got interviewed but me,” Hodges said.

Hodges plainly lays it out. He wanted to be interviewed and said he didn’t know about the documentary until his son told him about it a week before it came out. Hodges also has a strong view on the timing of the documentary's release.

“How long ago did they do this and it’s coming out right now?” Hodges said. “Just the timing. It’s impeccable as a marketer. You got everybody sitting at the crib. You got the No. 1 icon in black America at a time when black people are dying in untold numbers. Why now? Why now? Somebody’s got to explain that to me.”

"The Last Dance" was originally scheduled for a June release alongside the NBA Finals and was moved up during the pandemic. Director Jason Hehir has said in recent interviews that the team is still finishing up the final episodes.

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