Five-Time Champ Dennis Rodman was one of the most controversial players of all time. Along with that, he was one of the most famous as well. But this came at a cost as Rodman went through a lot of tough times and at times he needed help. And there was one person who was there for him at all times, who helped him with his personal growth. And it was not his Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen or Michael Jordan.

Rodman started his career off with the Detroit Pistons. He was selected as the number 27 pick in the 1986 NBA draft. The Pistons were led by a savvy point guard in Isiah Thomas. And Thomas took Rodman under his wing. He helped him understand the system of Chuck Daly and realized that Rodman could be a huge part of it.

And Rodman contributed phenomenally. Initially, he was introduced in a more offensive role, but the Worm impressed with his tenacity and physicality. And he was later moved to a defensive specialist role. The Pistons won two titles and made three Finals in a row as a result.

Rodman says Isiah Thomas understood him more than Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen

But as Rodman started getting famous, his troubles also grew. He was overwhelmed at times and would break down multiple times. And in one documentary, Rodman rued being famous. He just wanted to go out and have fun, but being that famous, that wouldn’t have been possible. And this took a toll on the seven-time NBA rebounding champion.

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And in the same doc, Thomas broke down looking at Rodman during his time at the Chicago Bulls. Thomas reportedly said that Rodman needed help, but there was no one there to provide it for him.

Rodman was asked what he thought about Thomas’s comments. He said,” I think Isiah probably know me better than anybody playing in the NBA. I think he was that only guy that took me under his wing and helped me grow as an individual and as a person.”

“He has the most heartfelt for me because he know the things I was going through those six-seven years in Detroit… He was there for me 24×7,” he added.

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Rodman has only kind words for Thomas and called him a big brother. Even though Rodman went to the rival Bulls in the latter stages of his career, Thomas has always had high praise for The Worm. And Rodman remembers how Zeke helped him grow as a player and as a person.