The Last Dance: 4 Predictions for episodes 3 & 4

4. Lots and lots of Rodman

Michael Jordan (unsurprisingly) received the majority of the spotlight throughout episode 1. Episode 2 belonged to Scottie Pippen. And while the story centers around the team as a whole, each rendition so far has had its undisputed main character.

So it only seems fitting for the next edition to focus on the star next in line in terms of importance to their winning – especially in their later years.

But this man plays second-fiddle to none when it comes to the enigmatic flamboyance of his personality.

From sporting nearly every shade on the color wheel (and oftentimes more than one at a time) atop his head, to highly publicized romantic flings with some of the world’s most polarizing pop-stars, to attention-grabbing outfits that included the famed wedding dress incident, Dennis Rodman was never lacking when it came to newsworthy occurrences. He was a fully-fledged man of the people, a person so captivating in his essence alone that any plausible platform would’ve likely consequentially vaulted him into a global icon on the strength of his own whim.

https://twitter.com/ThrowbackHoops/status/1252434914881896448?s=20

But basketball was his platform, and aside from the loads of attention he may have drawn outside of the lines, in between them, he was an absolute force of nature – one the greatest rebounders of all-time, while doubling down on that title in the hustle category as well.

The drawing nature of his story was large enough for ESPN to craft their own re-telling of his life narrative in a 30 for 30 episode.

But that doesn’t mean fans don’t have plenty of room for more. Rodman is just that kind of character.

After being traded from the San Antonio Spurs to Chicago (for as he puts it, pretty much nothing in return) because of behavioral outbursts and worn relationships with coaches, it was Jackson, Jordan and Pippen who effectively took the young hot-head under their wing, aiding tremendously in not only his maturation process as a person, but his skill as a player.

And he was the perfect storm to add to Chicago’s more organized style of play under the Triangle regime. Both Jordan and Pippen have said it’s hard to imagine them winning as many titles as they did without Rodman, and I believe his central role (both on and off the court) to the unit will come full circle this upcoming Sunday.