?I Thought It Was Like the Oscar?: Dennis Rodman, Who Was Part of the ?Bad Boy? Pistons, Cried After Receiving the One Award He Had Worked Hard For

NBA legend Dennis Rodman has won 5 NBA titles over the course of his career. He has won his first 2 with the Detroit Pistons and then the 3 straight titles with their arch-rivals, the Chicago Bulls. However, one award made him weep in happiness and made him feel like he had won the Oscar. The ‘Worm’ as the fans call him, is one of the best defenders ever. Standing at 6’7” in a league dominated by tall and powerful centers, he had to fight for every ball. However, that did not stop the relentless Rodman.

The Bulls legend was also one of the best defenders. His versatility allowed him to guard players in every position. Not everyone could defend a prime Shaquille O’Neal as Rodman did. And the two have had some fiery exchanges on the court over the years. And his defensive abilities helped the Detroit Pistons push for the title.

READ MORE – ?They Got So Many Combinations?: Bulls Legend Michael Jordan Once Named an Iconic Lakers Team as the Best He?d Ever Seen

The Pistons selected Rodman as the 27th overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft. And not many would have imagined how much he would achieve in his career. Even though it took some time for him to settle, it was worth it.

Dennis Rodman wins back-to-back DPOY award

Chuck Daly, head coach of the Pistons at the time made them one of the best defensive teams ever. And he molded a young Rodman into a fine defender. The Pistons became one of the best teams in the league. The Pistons won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. And Rodman won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1990. He once revealed how much the award meant to him at the time. The host asked about Rodman crying while receiving the award.

Rodman said, “It does feel so good you know. I feel like the fact that I worked so hard and I was just like ‘Woah! I got this whole thing. This Defensive Player of the Year award.’ It’s like I did something and people appreciate it you know. I thought it was like the Oscar.”

In 1988, they reached the finals for the first time in a long time. But they were beaten by the legendary Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Pistons were only warming up.

WATCH THIS STORY – 3 Times Stephen Curry lost his cool on the court

The two teams again met at the 1989 finals and the Pistons would have their revenge as they swept the Lakers to clinch the title. Then they successfully defended their title the next year against the Portland Trail Blazers. In 1991, Rodman continued his defensive dominance and won his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. However, Michael Jordan and the Bulls finally defeated the ‘Bad Boys’ Pistons on their way to the finals and clinched their first title.