Dennis Rodman was a crucial factor in getting Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen their second three-peats with the Chicago Bulls. The trio was untouchable from 1996-1998, winning three back-to-back NBA championships with the Bulls. The five-time NBA champ and Pippen have been the best of friends since their playing days. They continue to share their beautiful friendship that was found on the court alongside the Ghost of Chicago. Pippen even gave Rodman a massive tag as a result of his rebounding brilliance.
Back in 2019, the seven-time NBA rebounding champ joined his Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen and host Rachel Nichols on ESPN’s ‘The Jump.’ Rodman showed up wearing his dear friend Pippen’s no. 8 USA national basketball team jersey.
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Scottie Pippen said some great things about Rodman while discussing why he managed to succeed with the ‘Bad Boys’ Detroit Pistons. The Pistons were considered one of the most hostile teams back in the day. The Pistons used emotional, psychological, and physical disruptions to drain out their oppositions, as depicted by the documentary ’30 for 30.’
A young Dennis had a shy personality when he was drafted as the 27th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1986. It was a surprise how Rodman managed to fit in such a fierce and aggressive environment in Detroit. Pippen shared his thoughts on why Dennis Rodman fitted with the Pistons.
Dennis Rodman is the GOAT of rebounding per Scottie Pippen
The six-time NBA champ said, “I think this guy really fitted with the bad boys because he was a winner. He was a leader and his basketball IQ is off the charts.” Scottie Pippen continued that he was lucky to experience Rodman’s excellence closely as a former Bulls teammate. Moreover, Pippen talked about how great a rebounder Rodman was and reckoned that he was the greatest rebounder of all time.
Rachel Nichols caught Dennis Rodman trying to drop off Pippen’s Greatest Rebounder of All Time comment. The Jump’s host said, “You know he calls you the GROAT, right?”
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Rodman was thrilled by the title that Pippen had given to him. Dennis Roman’s rebounding talents were so good that he managed to win the rebounding award seven consecutive times between 1992-1998. The league has never seen a rebounding talent like the 2-time NBA All-Star.
Pippen and Rodman along with Michael Jordan created an era of domination for the Chicago Bulls. Their on-court chemistry was one of the rare sights to behold. However, Jordan did not share the same off-court friendship with Dennis Rodman as Scottie Pippen.
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Watch This Story: Ten things Chicago Bulls legend Dennis Rodman can’t live without
Things have gone worse, after Jordan’s 2020 documentary The Last Dance allegedly downplayed the contribution of Pippen and Rodman to MJ’s success, according to Pippen. Meanwhile, Pippen and Rodman continue to stay best of friends and support each other in their post-career endeavors.