Dennis Rodman’s North Korean adventure bizarre

Only the former NBA star could somehow buddy up with Kim Jong-un, the leader of perhaps the most oppressive regime in the world, writes Steve Dilbeck.

Dennis Rodman, right, has buddied up with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader who had his own uncle executed last week. Jason Mojica / AP Photo

It is Dennis Rodman, the great peacemaker! Or at least the hero who swims around inside his addled skull.

As a player, he was one of the greatest rebounding forwards to play the game, something that can get lost in all his bizarre behaviour.

Since his career ended, in 2000, he has remained a busy guy, what with professional wrestling and film careers, arrests for drink-driving, a brief marriage to Carmen Electra and affair with Madonna, his time as commissioner of the Lingerie Football League, a stint in rehab, writing a second autobiography (I Should Be Dead By Now), reality TV shows and being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, he has also dipped his toes into the waters of international diplomacy.

For reasons pretty much unfathomable to the rest of us, Rodman has ingratiated himself with North Korea’s erratic leader, Kim Jong-un, who executed his uncle last week. Rodman called Kim “a friend for life”.

Only Rodman could somehow buddy up with the leader of perhaps the most oppressive regime in the world.

Now Rodman is planning a third trip, this month, to the home of concentration camps and family spying upon family. This was announced one day after the demise of Kim’s uncle.

But Rodman says Barack Obama, the US president, should give Kim a call. You know, since they have so much in common, being basketball fans, and all. In Rodman’s fantastic universe, it all makes sense, no doubt.