Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six championships during the 1990s, forming an iconic duo with Scottie Pippen. But according to Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics great Robert Parish, Jordan’s success wouldn’t have happened without another crucial figure.
The Bulls captured six titles in eight years, earning two separate three-peats between 1991–93 and 1996–98. While Pippen was essential to those runs, Parish credits Dennis Rodman as the difference-maker behind Chicago’s dominance.
“Let’s not forget. Chicago wouldn’t have won s— without Dennis Rodman. I don’t care how good Michael and Scottie Pippen were, they wouldn’t have won s— without Dennis Rodman,” Parish said during an appearance on The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty. “Because Luc Longley, and that other m—, I can’t think of the other center’s name, they was just in the way”.
“If it was not for Dennis Rodman, defense and rebounding, which we all know wins games, wins championships—defensive rebounding, and keeping turnovers in check—Chicago wasn’t winning s— without Dennis Rodman,” he continued.
Before joining the Bulls, Rodman was a key part of the Detroit Pistons‘ “Bad Boys” era alongside Isiah Thomas, helping the team win back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990—eliminating Jordan and the Bulls along the way.
Rodman’s tenure with the Bulls
Rodman arrived in Chicago for the 1995–96 season, and his impact was immediate. The Bulls jumped from a 47–35 record to an NBA-best 72–10, a mark that stood until the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors surpassed it.
A two-time Defensive Player of the Year (1989–90, 1990–91), Rodman brought exactly what the Bulls needed on defense following Jordan’s return from retirement, that led Chicago to their second three-peat.
He led the NBA in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons and routinely battled the league’s most dominant big men, including Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, Alonzo Mourning, and Charles Barkley.