The series was initially scheduled for release in June during the NBA finals series.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to its early release.

It's given sports fans some captivating content to devour during a time when sport has been missing in action.

The series focuses on Michael Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season. It explores Jordan's entire career and his six championships with the Bulls.

The stories of other Bulls players from that era, including Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, also appear in the series.

Topics asked Newcastle Basketball development manager Brett Keeble for his thoughts on the series.

"The buzz and chatter that The Last Dance has generated in the past month has helped fill the void for basketball fans all around the world who would otherwise be closely following the NBA play-offs," said Brett, a former Newcastle Herald sports journalist.

"It has also confirmed beyond any doubt that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketballer of all time."

Jordan changed the game.

"His celebrity transcended his sport and for most of his career he was the most famous athlete on the planet - all in an era that pre-dated social media," Brett said.

"The Bulls probably would have won eight titles in a row if he didn't retire and go and play baseball. To twice win three in a row in an eight-year span still makes them one of the most successful NBA franchises in history."

Brett remembers that time well.

"Yes, of course I owned a pair of Air Jordans. Everyone did back then because they were HIS shoes. Apparently The Last Dance has sparked a surge in Air Jordan sales," he said.

"I was lucky enough to be backpacking across the USA with my wife in 1991. We were in Chicago when the Bulls won their first NBA championship.

"Unfortunately it was at the expense of the Los Angeles Lakers, the team I follow."

They watched what turned out to be the deciding game of that series in a sports bar in downtown Chicago.

"That game was played in LA, but we were in the crowd of one million people for the victory celebration at Grant Park two days later," he said.

"The city went crazy. Even if you didn't follow the Bulls, they were your second team because of Jordan."

Brett said the best thing about the series was "listening to Jordan reflect on some of the more controversial issues throughout his career, which he avoided while he was playing".

"He also talks candidly about why he was so driven and determined. He just wanted to win no matter what and demanded the same attitude from his teammates.

"That doesn't make him a bad teammate. It makes him the best teammate. He just wasn't always necessarily the nicest bloke to be around, which is the sentiment expressed by his teammates that were interviewed."

The series has put the spotlight on basketball. It's expected to generate renewed interest in the sport when we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Newcastle Basketball is also looking forward to our new stadium being built at Hillsborough, so hopefully we can stay flavour of the month for at least the next couple of years when we move to our new home."

The final two episodes of the 10-part series are due for release on Monday night.