The Last Dance: Episode 3

 

 

  

After watching episode 3 of "The Last Dance" documentary, it really showed the journey of the growth in players. Michael Jordan impacted his teammates in different ways. His drive to win was beyond the average mindset, making others get to his level of play. However, this was new to him. He was always used to being the main role. But, with a change of pace and coaching, things began to change. Instead of Michael becoming a threat, the whole team became a pack of wolves. Always hungry for a win and defending the brotherhood. Their legacy was infinite.

Dennis Rodman was like riding a rollercoaster for the first time. Being the top defender in the league, the reason I compare him to this is that his life is simply all over the place. He lives on the edge, causes havoc, and never stops performing. The original version of "work hard, play hard". The guy was unpredictable and that made him dangerous. 

Before he entered the bulls team, he played with the Detroit Pistons. Now, back then, sports had a lot of contact and fewer rules. This team was ruthless. They became known as the "Bad Boys". As basketball players, they used their physicality as a form of talent. They won games with brute strength, attitude, and perseverance. Their goal was to take you out physically and therefore, lead to a team's mental breakdown. This can be sometimes true in modern-day basketball because there are players that can't handle contact.

We have all entered games and aware of who our opponent is. More importantly, we can recognize who their best player is and what it is we have to do to stop them. If a team is too dominant as a whole, then it is a challenge. You will have to just defend, attack, and hope they have a bad shooting day. Overall, minimizing their shot selection as best as possible. But, when a team has one main scorer, you harass and make it hard for them. Be physical and aggressive. That strategy is the Piston effect. That's how they became NBA champions.

With Rodman, though physical and dominant as he was, his personal and mentality eventually lead him into a dark place. He began losing himself and in time, did leave the team. But, he searched for light again in himself. Rodman finally opened up to the truth of his inner-self. The reassurance and proof of toxic masculinity in sports. Rodman wasn't being expressive as he wanted to be. He realized this and confirmed that the NBA needed him, he didn't need them. This rise of visual confidence shown in his emotions, what he wore, and how he looked. He was the NBA's own catwalk. As powerful as Prince in purple. 

The world has different views and perspectives of this man. I know his visual appearance throws people off because it is not the social normality. But, we could all learn from this. There is no shame in being who you are meant to be. You feel it in your soul, your gut. What makes you happy vs what makes you successful. Finding both and being the best version of yourself, regardless of what people say or think. Rodman shows that, although he was a loose cannon and wild, he loved basketball. Being himself brought the fire to the team. A never-ending party, on and off the court. More importantly, a real teammate.