Within the dominant Chicago Bulls team of the 1990s, several players stood out. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen led the charge. However, as important as the offense looked, the defense played an equally crucial role. Because of that, Dennis Rodman became a key pillar in Phil Jackson’s roster. His defensive intensity and rebounding gave the Bulls a physical edge. Although defense defined Rodman‘s reputation, Jordan later revealed that he had another side that few mention.
“If you look at Dennis (Rodman) and the way he shoots and carries himself on the offensive end, he has fundamentals. He just chooses not to use them. If Orlando feels Dennis’ offense is not going to hurt them, great. We’ll just keep pushing him to give us that offensive support,” Jordan said in 1996, via the Chicago Tribune.
Although Dennis Rodman was never known for his scoring, his impact on the game went far beyond the box score. In the 1996 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, he stepped up offensively and became the Bulls’ third-leading scorer. He averaged 11.6 points per game during the series. Moreover, he shot an efficient 53.3 percent from the field. He also converted 60.9 percent of his free throws, which marked a solid improvement for him.
Not only did Michael Jordan recognize his offensive talent, but Scottie Pippen also gave him credit without hesitation. “When he’s a scorer, and he’s effective, you have to keep an eye on him…(Opponents) aren’t even looking for Dennis to score. It’s easier for us to find him around the basket when you know he’s conscious of wanting to score. When he’s not looking to score, you’re kind of iffy about throwing the ball to him,” affirmed Pippen in 1997, via The Chicago Tribune.
Dennis Rodman #91 of the Chicago Bulls stands on the court at the United Center in Chicago.
Dennis Rodman opens up about his relationship with Michael Jordan during the Bulls era
It is no secret that Dennis Rodman and Michael Jordan have completely different personalities. Rodman is loud, eccentric, and unpredictable. Jordan, on the other hand, is quiet, focused, and disciplined. In 2023, Rodman admitted he never spoke off the court with Michael or Scottie Pippen. He explained that the only thing that mattered to him was showing up, doing his job, and winning. That was his only focus.
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Still, Jordan had no problem with Rodman as a teammate. In a 1996 interview, he addressed Rodman’s behavior. “He’s gonna go wacko every now and then. We’ve come to live with that. We’ve come to accept that. But you can’t find another player on the basketball court that works just as hard as Dennis Rodman. Gives 110%, dives at loose balls even if he can’t get them. That’s Dennis Rodman. So I don’t have a problem with Dennis, and I don’t think Phil does.”
Although their personalities clashed, they made it work. Together, they built one of the most dominant teams of the era. More importantly, they did not need a personal bond to win. Their shared obsession with victory kept them aligned. Because of that, they led the Bulls to three straight championships. When it counted most, they delivered. And they did it without needing to speak off the court.
