5 essential binges while waiting for new episodes of ‘The Last Dance’

1. Rodman: For Better or Worse

Stream on ESPN+ here (subscription required)

Even if we weren’t getting an episode of The Last Dance devoted to Dennis Rodman and the Bad Boys, this one would still be appointment viewing. While its tone is a lot heavier than Bad Boys, it’s the most appropriate way to tell the bizarre story of one of the most eccentric players in NBA history, and boy, does it leave no stone unturned.

From the Worm’s rough upbringing to the growth spurt that helped basketball become his purpose, the early stages of Rodman: For Better or Worse illuminate how, at his core, Rodman was just a naive, quiet man-child who simply wanted to be accepted and loved for who he was. It fueled his success in Detroit and Chicago and explained his willingness to play defense, rebound like a man possessed and do the dirty work for his teams as long as they were winning.

But as his father figure Chuck Daly faded from the picture and the stardom of being an NBA player took hold, a kid who once lived on the streets got caught up in the glitz, glamour, headlines and party scene that came with all that fame. Dating Madonna, befuddling a society that wasn’t ready for his affinity for gay culture, donning outlandish hairdos, the wedding dress, the descent into problems with alcohol, the near-suicide experience, befriending Kim Jong Un — none of it is off limits in this unflinching look at Rodman’s unbelievable life journey.

Forget whatever preconceived notions you had about Dennis Rodman and what goes on in the six inches between his ears. By the end of this 30 for 30 classic, you’ll not only know a lot more about Rodman’s turn from MJ obstacle to Bulls ally, but you’ll also look at him a lot differently.