If basketball was a religion, then Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman would arguably be the holy trinity. This statement could hold water because people put them on a pedestal and worshipped them unlike other players of the time. What they did, no one else did. No one else possibly could. The Chicago Bulls won three rings together with Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman at its core. Phil Jackson built a team, whose players were so different from one another. But the pieces of the puzzle fit.

In a 2019 interview with Complex, Dennis Rodman revealed that he learned a lot from his iconic team members Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Rodman observed the two players of the Chicago Bulls. He noted their dedication and hard work and soaked in their winners’ mindset. He admitted that he loved their mentality because it reminded Rodman of players in Detroit, namely the likes of Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and more. Rodamn was a part of the Pistons’ side that implemented the “Jordan Rules” to try and stop MJ on the court.

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But he credited the powerful Chicago Bulls duo because the whole team was standing on their shoulders. The confidence that exuded from Pippen and Jordan was infectious in each player. Rodman knew they were going to play great basketball. He recollected that he would observe them and reassure himself. “Wow, those guys play fair. I can trust Michael Jordan, he is going to do his job. Scottie’s going to do his job. I can trust you guys. I’ve played with you guys,” he said.

Dennis Rodman was both a player and a student

The confidence to rely on a team built a massive well of trust for Dennis Rodman. He knew he could rely on Jordan and Scottie Pippen to do what they were supposed to do on the court.

Rodman said the same during an interview in the late 1990s. He said that Pippen and Jordan were a class of their own.

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Rodman learned a great deal in his time with the Chicago Bulls. But he also created a refreshing change within the team as well.

John Paxson, an assistant coach during the 1995-96 season said that Dennis would come for practice and observe the other players. He would emulate his learnings and yet incorporate his own unique style to become of the game’s greatest-ever rebounders.

He famously commented that Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player on the planet. He said Scottie Pippen was the second greatest. Rodman, true to his personality, told, “And then you got the devil”.