Former NBA Player Explains Why Michael Jordan Needed Dennis Rodman So Badly to Win Championships

Former NBA champion Kenny Smith joined ‘Inside the Green Room’ for a chat recently. He was also joined by Lakers player Danny Green. They indulged in conversations about Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and the 3-peat Bulls team.

Smith played for the Houston Rockets from 1990-1996. He certainly has a lot of memories coming up against Jordan and the mighty Bulls. Speaking on the video chat, he recalled how his Rockets team held a better record against the Bulls in the early 90s.

The 54-year-old also mentioned how the inclusion of Dennis Rodman in the side brought a major difference to how the Bulls approached their game. Smith feels Rodman’s aggressive style gave Michael Jordan a major advantage.

How Michael Jordan benefitted from Dennis Rodman

Smith lauded Rodman for coming into the Bulls team and creating a whole new area of strength for Jordan. “He gave Michael Jordan extra possessions. His offensive rebound ability would give Michael more shots,” he said.

Talking about the head-to-head record between the Bulls and the Rockets, he stated how Dennis Rodman’s entry gave the Bulls a better advantage against them. The two-time champion also added how Jordan’s field goal percentage was off the charts. With Rodman coming in and providing him with more possession, Jordan is bound to shoot more and add extra points to his name. 

“Michael, when he led the league in scoring at 36-35 points a game, shot over 53% from the field. So like the logic that a guy who is shooting 53% and averaging 35 points a game and you’re giving him more possessions, that for me was too much.”

He attributed this aspect of the Bulls’ strength that rocketed them to win 72 games during the 1995-96 regular-season. Smith also mentioned how ‘His Airness’ would never take bad shots. “He didn’t take bad shots, he just took shots,” he exclaimed.

The Chicago Bulls were a team to fear in the mid-90s. Any opponent, when they came up against the trio of Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen would have had at least a tiny bit of intimidation.

According to Smith, Rodman complimented Jordan very well. The Rockets held a good record against the Bulls in the early 90s. But, after Rodman joined the team in 1995, the Bulls had a different approach. They achieved their second three-peat and etched their name in history.