“I Thought I Was a Wild Child”: NBA Legend Dennis Rodman Channeled His Inner Jimi Hendrix While Playing With Michael Jordan in Chicago

Dennis Rodman is arguably one of the most underrated players in the NBA. His skills as a basketball player were often overshadowed by the controversies surrounding him off the court. But that doesn’t change the fact that Rodman was one of the best players in the league. The former Detroit Pistons player undoubtedly had outstanding defensive and rebounding skills. Before retiring from the NBA, the Worm had achieved several accolades that proved his worth as a professional basketball player.

Dennis the Menace won five NBA championships, seven All-Defensive First Team, two Defensive Player of the Year, and seven Rebounding Champion titles. And these titles were actually won against excellent players, several of whom are fellow Hall of Famers. During his time in the league, Rodman had played for five different teams. He was drafted in 1986 by the Detroit Pistons and went on to play for the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Dallas Mavericks.

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While many couldn’t understand Rodman’s way of living, there were few who actually understood him. In an interview with ESPN, Rodman revealed what it was like after getting traded to the Chicago Bulls, referring to himself as the “wild child”.

Dennis Rodman talked about his time as a Chicago Bulls Player

During an interview with ESPN, Rodman recalled the time he was traded to the Bulls in 1995. The host, Max Kellerman asked him what it was like to be a Bulls player.

“—you said, ‘When I was with Detroit, we won championships, I averaged 17 boards, I made $800 grand a year. Now, with the Bulls, dyed my hair pink or whatever color it was, same 17 boards, winning championships, $8 million a year.’ What was that like being a part of…?” asked Kellerman to Rodman.

Dennis replied that it was cool to be with Chicago Bulls. He mentioned that he referred to Chuck Daly as God and Phil Jackson as Moses. In addition, he regarded Daly and Jackson by saying that they took him in and understood him and his game. He further added that fellow NBA star Michael Jordan had called him ‘the final piece to the puzzle’.

“—and I was like, more like Jimi Hendrix. I was, that guy, I thought was a wild child, man. I was out there doing my thing, you know,” said Rodman.

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After Rodman joined Chicago Bulls, he, along with Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the team to a historic 72-10 season result. It is arguably safe to say that Rodman’s arrival basically set the Bulls on the path to victory.