The documentary comes almost 25 years after Jordan and the Bulls visited UD Arena for an exhibition game on Oct. 14, 1995. It was the 13th NBA exhibition game at UD Arena but the first since 1989 when the New York Knicks played the Phoenix Suns.

Here’s a look back at the Dayton Daily News coverage:

JORDAN THRILLS DAYTON

AIR SHOWS STUFF IN BULLS' WIN

Dayton Daily News, October 15, 1995

By Alex Marvez

He probably will never return to Dayton as an NBA player again. The arenas are too small and Michael Jordan is too big.

That's what helped make Jordan's every move so special to the sellout crowd of 13,505 that crammed the University of Dayton Arena to watch the Chicago Bulls' 114-105 exhibition victory over the Indianapolis Pacers.

When he touched the ball, fans roared. When he entered the huddle during a timeout, the crowd behind the Bulls bench became transfixed on the most popular sports figure of his generation.

And Jordan didn't disappoint. His Airness finished with 13 points and two assists in 23 minutes of play, and in the process, delivered a Michael Moment that should leave a lasting impression.

Midway through the first quarter, Bulls forward Scottie Pippen intercepted an Indiana pass near half court. Pippen , who finished with a game-high 26 points, had a clear path to the basket, but passed to an open Jordan instead.

The sound surrounding Jordan's approach was similar to that of a jet approaching take off. The crowd noise grew louder and louder as Jordan skied for a two-handed dunk that prompted a standing ovation.

Had Jordan not retired from basketball two years ago, local fans could only dream about seeing such a play. But when Jordan wasn't playing last year, the Bulls began looking for smaller venues for exhibition games. By the time he returned last spring, the Bulls-Pacers game in Dayton already was booked.

"I've played on smaller courts," Jordan said. "It was smaller than I thought, but it was fun. I like the arena to play in. I wish I could play here more."

So did the crowd, which began filing out early in the fourth quarter when it was evident Jordan wouldn't reenter the game. Then again, he didn't need to.

Chicago enjoyed a comfortable lead throughout the second half until a jumper by Indiana guard Travis Best closed the margin to 109-105 with 56 seconds left. But after Best missed a three-pointer, Bulls free-agent guard Kenny Harris drove for an uncontested finger roll to clinch the victory.

Indiana was led by Reggie Miller with 17 points, but the lanky off-guard drew his third foul with 2:52 left in the first quarter and didn't play the rest of the half. Forward Jason Caffey, Chicago's first-round pick, had 17 points and seven rebounds.

NOTES: Jaron Anderson, a five-year-old with sickle cell anemia, got to attend the game and meet Pippen thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation ... Chicago off-guard Ron Harper, who attended Kaiser High School and Miami University, finished with eight points.

JORDAN FINDS TIMING 

NBA SUPERSTAR OUT TO PROVE HE'S THE SAME MICHAEL

Dayton Daily News, October 15, 1995

By Gregg Simms

Michael Jordan had that lean and hungry look as he sat in a chair in front of his dressing room cubicle before the Chicago Bulls met the Indiana Pacers at University of Dayton Arena Saturday.

The eyes were focused. His long muscles were taut. After returning from a brief baseball career only to embarrass himself somewhat in last year's National Basketball Association playoffs, Jordan is on a mission.

“I have a lot to prove, that I can get myself back to the level of play that I consistently met in the last few years,” Jordan, arguably the best basketball player ever, said. “I haven't played (a complete season) in two years. A lot of people are wondering if I can get back. That's a challenge in itself.”

Jordan, a seven-time NBA scoring champion, said he worked over the summer to get his timing back. In his first preseason game of 1995, he scored 18 points on 5-of-9 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the line, in 18 minutes Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He grabbed two rebounds and passed for two assists.

Saturday, in a 114-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers, he scored 13 points on 5-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-6 from the free throw line in front of 13,505 spectators at UD Arena. "I got in some running,'' Jordan said. "Got a chance to see Indiana, see what type of things they run. Offensively, I made a couple of good shots. It's gradually building up.''

Jordan spent the offseason re-building his game.

"I just spent the summer just playing,'' he said. "That's how you get your timing, your rhythm, your skills. My problem last year was I knew what I wanted to do but physically I didn't do it with the same instincts that I did a couple of years before. That was the lack of playing basketball. I had not played a lot.

“This summer I started playing basketball early and I feel confident that when I want to make a move I can make it without thinking about it twice. I think the pre-season gives me the opportunity to get my timing in game situations É when to apply my skills, when not to apply my skills, when to take chances, when not to take chances. I'd say I feel about 90 percent. The preseason will get me where I need to be.''

So does this mean that the Bulls, with a rejuvenated Jordan and Dennis Rodman added to the lineup, will win the NBA title? Well, Jordan said the franchise is headed down the right road. Rodman, he said, will blend with himself, Dayton's Ron Harper and Scottie Pippen to provide the quickness the Bulls had during their three championship seasons.

"I think of all the questions about how we are going to fit together, defense is the most solid. Dennis is a naturally defensive guy. We've had some very active defensive players, Pippen, myself and Harper. That gives us a little bit more freedom to extend our defense.''

Jordan said Harper, from Kiser High School and Miami University, has regained his confidence after a down year. "I think he's worked very hard. I think you're going to see that all season long,'' he said. "I think we have the hunger. Dennis has gone from team- to- team and he's always been successful. He's had his problems. I think he wants to win in late June. We do to. I think we have a very good chance.''

PAXSON RETURNING AS COACH

Dayton Daily News, October 15, 1995

By Bucky Albers

During his nine seasons as a player with the Chicago Bulls, John Paxson suggested often that the Bulls play a preseason game in Dayton.

This is where he grew up, and the former Alter High School star wanted to play in front of his friends.

It never happened.

Because of Michael Jordan's huge appeal, the Bulls scheduled most of their preseason games in buildings with huge capacities, like Lexington's Rupp Arena (23,000), Knoxville's Thompson-Boling Arena (24,535) and New Orleans' Superdome (71,000).

When University of Dayton officials began negotiating for tonight's game in the 13,508-seat UD Arena, Jordan was retired and the Bulls were looking for venues that held 10,000-15,000 people.

"It's a huge bonus for the Dayton fans that Michael came back," said Paxson, the former Notre Dame All-American. "It's bad timing for me because they finally scheduled a game in Dayton, Ohio, and I'm not on the team. And to make matters worse, they even scheduled one in South Bend this year."

The 35-year-old Paxson will make both stops anyway because, after a year as radio color commentator on the Bulls' broadcasts, he is now an assistant coach.

Paxson, who played a prime role in Chicago's three straight NBA championships and sank the winning 3-point basket in the clinching victory at Phoenix in 1993, didn't always envision himself as a coach.

After 11 seasons in the NBA, he wanted to escape the travel. He arranged his radio schedule last year so he could avoid Chicago's two long West Coast trips. He was at home on Thanksgiving for the first time in many years.

But he was bitten by the coaching bug in the 1994-95 preseason when the Bulls invited him to participate in the training camp, sitting in on coaches' meetings and preparation for practices.

"I really didn't know whether I'd like it or not, but I found out I liked it a lot," he said. "My wife was surprised when I kept coming home, after being there from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and saying, 'I really like this.'

"I knew that this is something I wanted to do. I just didn't think it would happen this year.”

When General Manager Jerry Krause and Coach Phil Jackson invited him to join the staff this summer, Paxson said he jumped at it.

"I want to learn from people I have a lot of respect for," he said, citing Jackson, former University of Kansas coach Tex Winter, ex-Boston Celtics coach Jimmy Rodgers and former Ohio State star Jim Cleamons. "I have the benefit of some great NBA experience on this staff.

Six current Bulls —Jordan, Pippen, Toni Kukoc, Luc Longley, Bill Wennington and Steve Kerr — have played with Paxson, who was the team's point guard.

"I like having John around," Jordan told the Chicago Tribune. "I've known John ever since I've been here, and now I've seen him make the transition from player to coach. I really think he's going to be one heck of a coach. He knows the game very well, and people could have seen that easily when we won our championships when he was at the point guard position. He was a coach on the floor."

Paxson now thinks he wants to make a career of coaching.

"The one thing I missed while doing the games on radio was being a part of the team," he said. "I wasn't in the locker room. I had no real responsibilities. It's where I feel comfortable, so I'm going to give it a shot."

Paxson thinks the recent acquisition of the controversial Dennis Rodman from San Antonio could have a significant impact on the Bulls.

"Our weakness last year in the playoffs against Orlando was that we didn't have a rebounder," Paxson said.

Notes: Luc Longley, projected as Chicago's starting center, has an ankle problem and may not play tonight. Bill Wennington, a 7-footer, is the backup. The Bulls are looking at former Minnesota star John Chasky, who has been playing in Greece, and 6-10 Jack Haley, a seven-year veteran who spent the last two years at San Antonio.

Nine of UD's 15 former NBA players will be honored at a pre-game reception and then introduced at halftime. They are: Bucky Bockhorn, Chuck Grigsby, Chris Harris, Bobby Joe Hooper, Don May, Don Meineke, Jim Paxson Sr., Donald Smith and Sedric Toney. Also invited but unable to attend are: Johnny Davis, Henry Finkel, Negele Knight, Jim Palmer and Jim Paxson Jr. UD's only other NBA player, John Horan, is deceased.