
Source: Chicago Tribune / Getty
With many stuck inside their homes along with the absence of sporting events, the Michael Jordan ESPN docuseries The Last Dance has been must-watch television. In episodes three and four which aired Sunday (April 26), the rise of Dennis Rodman and the Chicago Bulls’ rivalry with the Detroit Pistons were highlighted.
Rodman’s story arc is displayed most prominently in episode three of The Last Dance, highlighting his unlikely rise in becoming one of the world’s most elite basketball players. Like Scottie Pippen, Rodman grew up poor but ended up playing at a Division II college but managed to play at a level that caught the attention of the Pistons, who drafted him in the second round.
With Detroit, Rodman won the first two of his championship rings in 1989 and 1990, but it was his time in Chicago that naturally had the most light. Rodman’s eccentric personality and withdrawn nature came out in other ways, typically his strong play, and of course his zany haircuts.
In one portion of episode three, Coach Phil Jackson alarmingly grants Rodman a vacation break mid-season to Las Vegas, with Jordan expressing his shock at the request in an interview clip that was used to tease the episode.
“If anybody needs a vacation, I need a f*cking vacation. If you let this dude go on vacation, we are not going to see him. If you let this dude go to Vegas, we are definitely not going to see him, Jordan is seen saying.
The episode also focuses on Pippen’s frustration with GM Jerry Krause over his salary and resigning himself to continue playing for the team despite its unwillingness to negotiate new terms.
Episode four dives into the Bulls-Piston rivalry, notably how Detroit vanquished Chicago by bullying Michael Jordan. Jordan expressed still-visible disdain for the team, and not forgiving Isiah Thomas and the team for refusing to shake hands after the Bulls swept the Pistons in the 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Thomas was allowed onscreen to explain what happened that day, but Jordan wasn’t hearing any of it.
“I know it’s all [B.S.],” Jordan said. “Whatever [Thomas] says now, it wasn’t his true actions then. He’s had time enough to think about it, or the reaction of the public has changed his perspective. You can show me anything you want. There’s no way you can convince me he wasn’t an a**hole.”
With the two episodes in the can and six more to go, fans on Twitter have chimed in with their reactions. We’ve got those listed out below. Check out The Fumble’s recap of The Last Dance episodes three and four below as well.
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Photo: Getty
‘The Last Dance’ Episodes 3 & 4 Focuses On Dennis Rodman Era, Pistons & More was originally published on hiphopwired.com
1.
Biggest Ls of #TheLastDance Night 2:
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 27, 2020
1. Dennis Rodman's hotel room maids
2. Isiah Thomas
3. Craig Ehlo
4. Anytime Scott Burrell told his family he wasn't coming home because he was busy working
5. Jerry Krause can't hang haters
6. Bill Cartwright's jumper
7. The Sniff Brothers
2.
Isaiah said y'all got the wrong Isiah 😂 #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/S2NkcFfDOq
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 27, 2020
3.
we need a netflix special on Dennis Rodmans 48 hour bender with Carmen Electra alone. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/IkCw6jojwo
— Clifford D Smith (@LiamDunn44) April 27, 2020
4.
5.
The most underrated player of all-time.#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/8kEGkWhJm5
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 27, 2020
6.
Man #TheLastDance had me so motivated last night—I got up as soon as it went off and started working out. It’s nothing like being inspired by someone else greatness!
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 27, 2020
7.
What cracked me up most about Dennis Rodman disappearing in Vegas for multiple days during the 1998 season as detailed in Episode 4 is — later in the season, Rodman skipped a practice during the NBA Finals to appear on WCW alongside Hollywood Hogan and the NWO. 😂 #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/FnbxrB3Tn6
— Jordan Patu. (@Jordan_Patu) April 27, 2020
8.
My favourite bit of #TheLastDance so far. Dennis Rodman going on holiday to Vegas in the middle of a season pic.twitter.com/Bomo7Mdps2
— Luke Cope (@Copozade) April 27, 2020
9.
🏆secured. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/JswQAMzBmF
— Chicago Bulls Archive (@BullsArchive) April 27, 2020
10.
11.
Dennis Rodman showing how much he understood and studied timing of rebounding was my favorite part. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/RuSoBuAT7J
— Martin S. (@marsoaries) April 27, 2020
12.
Phil Jackson: There’s not an “I” in team.
— Landon Packard (@Lpack23) April 27, 2020
MJ: Yeah, but there’s an “I” in win.#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/5gR6gqV6Ga
13.
This was Michael Jordan dragging Dennis Rodman to practice 🤣🤣🤣 #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/pRBIky28Pl
— Jack Griffin (@LilGriff35) April 27, 2020
14.
Netflix needs to produce a whole standalone series of Dennis Rodman in Vegas #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/6ogw1qBFxe
— jinc 🎲 (@jreyinc) April 27, 2020
15.
"Dennis Rodman" is the GOAT. He dated Madonna, Toni Braxton, Carmen Electra, Vivica A. Fox. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/bnwkfbFfU9
— Tinashe (@m_tinashe) April 27, 2020