Following the Chicago Bulls’ 1997 NBA championship win, Michael Jordan was questioned if he would have preferred to have Dennis Rodman rejoin the club. In 1997, Jordan and Rodman were both free agents, and Michael Jordan made it known to the world that he wanted Rodzilla back. Jordan remarked, “I’m not bothered by his dresses.” “I don’t find his hair bothersome. Yes, of course he will occasionally lose his mind. We’ve learnt to accept that. We now acknowledge that. However, Dennis Rodman puts in more work than any other basketball player does on the court. Gives it his all, diving for stray balls even if he can’t catch them. Dennis Rodman is that.
Consequently, I don’t think Phil or Dennis are at odds. Scottie doesn’t, in my opinion. He’s been somewhat within our control, and we’re here to support the winners twice in a row. Rodman was not selected to the All-Star team in his three seasons with the Bulls. But he was a force on the boards, assisting Phil Jackson, Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Chicago in their second three-peat. Horace Grant was traded by the Bulls to the Orlando Magic during the 1994 summer. In 1995, general manager Jerry Krause was forced to deal for Rodman because Chicago lacked a defensive stopper and rebounder in Grant.
Throughout his 199 Bulls games, Rodman fulfilled his role to perfection. The NBA icon was a nightmare on defence, averaging 5.2 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Playing against Rodman was a source of great hatred for opposing centres because he was a born agitator. Jordan concentrated on scoring, Pippen was the best all-around player in the league, and Rodman held down the middle. The Bulls captured three NBA titles in a row in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Every season, they fielded a top-10 offensive and defensive line, led by Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman.
The fact that Jordan and Rodman teamed up and shared a ring is quite intriguing. After all, Rodman had married himself, worn a wedding gown once, and frequently dyed his hair a different colour while hanging out at homosexual bars. Outside of the court, Jordan and Pippen did not socialise with Rodman. But when it came time to engage in combat, MJ and Pip wanted Rodman by their side for the ultimate outcome. Without a question, Jordan is the greatest player in Bulls history. He boasts 27 club records and has won six championships, six MVPs in the Finals, five MVPs in the regular season, and ten scoring titles in Chicago.
Rodman had just three seasons in the Windy City, yet he is still regarded as a Bulls icon. In terms of rebounds per game, offensive rebound percentage, defensive rebound %, and total rebound percentage, Rodman leads the Bulls all-time despite his extravagant antics. With Chicago, he also took home three crowns for rebounding.
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