Day 46 without sports ðŸ˜: Dennis Rodman to be featured in part three of 'The Last Dance'
Former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman perfected his role masterfully with rebounding, hustle and even good behavior. But once Scottie Pippen
returned to the lineup after missing the first 35 games because of foot surgery, Rodman announced something that left the Bulls worried.
I need a vacation, Michael Jordanrecalled Rodman saying.So at least for a day, NBA hoops fans will be entertained. Sure, it's frustrating that it's Day 46 without sports because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
But “The Last Dance” documentary on the Bulls has given sports fans something to look forward to. Episode 3 of the documentary's 10-part series should offer enough levity. The reason? The show will focus on Rodman (ESPN, 9pm ET).
The intrigue will go beyond Rodman’s colored hair, body piercings and on-court intensity. The show will also detail Rodman's off-court behavior,
including when Rodman asked Bulls coach Phil Jackson if he could take a brief vacation in Las Vegas during the 1997-98 season.CORONAVIRUS &
SPORTS: Get the latest news and information right in your inbox. Sign up here.“Phil, you let this dude go on vacation, we’re not going to see
him," Jordan recalled saying. "You let him go to Vegas, we’re definitely not going to see him."
f this sounds bizarre, well, it is. Rodman also skipped practice between Games 3 and 4 of the 1998 NBA Finals so he could attend a WCW wrestling match in
Auburn Hills, Michigan.The kicker: the Bulls allowed Rodman's quirky behavior because it did not affect his on-court excellence. It only enhanced
it.“There was a real connection that existed that gave Dennis the freedom and space that he needed,” said Golden State Warriors coach and former Bulls guard Steve Kerr recently on a
conference call.
“It wasn’t a thing where we were all complaining of Dennis not making it to a practice. We sort of understood that he was his own man and he did so much for our team that we allowed him to have that freedom."Sports Video of the Day
Rodman’s antics aside, he became aHall of Famer for an obvious reason. Rodman was the NBA’s best rebounder. He bullied his opponents with his strength. He crashed the boards with his hustle. He raced for loose balls with his quickness. The video below captures Rodman’s body of work perfectly.
