Saw him at an Orange County club back in 1989. He was already rowdy and his parties disturbing to conservative neighbors.
And now, after all these years, shows up in North Korea, on a basketball diplomacy tour. Dennis Rodman, NBA defender. HBO’s VICE has done a surprising job of casting for sports diplomacy (Google x-CEO would be suitable for technology but not for sports diplomacy. Eric’s tour to North Korea reminded me of Bill Gates‘ visit to North Vietnam almost a decade ago). This is our 21st-century version of 1971 Ping-Pong diplomacy .
Sports and technology. The bridge over river Kwai.
The ball, the basket and the score board.
The elation and adrenaline.
Some even bet a horse or the farm.
Something about the heat of the game; suspenseful – time is irrelevant when that last ball travels in mid-air (even when game is over according to the clock).
Players were playing God (defying gravity and chronology).
And fans, well, were fanatics.
Fascinating and unpredictable, when a black man (blonde hair) with tatoo and pierced ears treks his way far up North. Make sure he carry an autographed ball (preferably from his friend Michael). That would make for a second display.
Travel advisory! Don’t try to imitate Rodman, just like you would trying to make the basket.
It doesn’t work every time. That’s why they call names like Magic Johnson.
That’s why there was a whole line of Nike merchandise, private label.
The magic that sells, across the cultures and across the DMZ.
The last time I saw on-screen about the region, was when they shot our fictitious James Bond until there hardly were any snow left on the ground.
Go figure! Something in this world still manages to surprise us. And however long a shot, I couldn’t have thought the man across the same room back then, would some day be seen in a North Korean basket ball court. Now his OC neighbors would sit up and watch for sure, besides offering to watch his estate, free. Hope that happen! Magic and miracle: going long to get across. Defensive game!.
Thang Nguyen 555 