It was the year 1987 when Dennis Rodman, the rebound king, made a comment that would reverberate throughout the NBA. After a crushing defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals, Rodman couldn’t hold back his frustration and decided to call 3x NBA Champion Larry Bird “overrated.” This statement, fueled by disappointment and a desire to lash out, sparked a controversy that would follow Rodman for years to come. 

After 36 years, a five-time NBA champion and two-time All-Star revisited that infamous moment only to have a different and changed stance. 

The aftermath and Rodman’s clarifications on his bizarre comments 

To reflect on the bizarre claim about the Boston Celtics legend, the interviewer asked him, questioning whether Rodman still believed Bird was overrated or if he had simply been angry at the time. Rodman’s response was candid and reflective. He admitted that his comment was born out of frustration, not anger or hatred. 

“No, I told you, you know what? I was frustrated because guess what? I got my a** whooped by this kid,” Rodman said. He went on to explain that his focus at the time was solely on his team, not the entire league.

Rodman had called Bird “overrated in a lot of areas” and questioned his three MVP awards, unfavorably comparing him to Magic Johnson. 

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Rodman’s apology and reflection on the incident

As time passed, Rodman came to realize the gravity of his words and the impact they had on others. He has also stated that Bird receives extensive publicity solely because “he is white.” He expressed regret for his comment, acknowledging that he had apologized for it many times over the years. Rodman emphasized that his comment was not racially motivated, stating that he would have made the same claim if Bird had been black.

“I would just wonder why this guy’s so, so good. So, I think I would have said the same thing about him if he were black.” He concluded by saying that the incident is now part of history for him and that he has moved on.

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In the world of sports, where rivalries are often fueled by trash talk, Rodman’s candid reflection on his past mistake is a refreshing change. Bird’s skills and achievements speak for themselves, and he remains one of the greatest players in NBA history.