“There will be problems.” Without even playing a regular season game, Rodman managed to scare everyone around him
Vitaly Vesely June 29, 2024, 18:35 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Dennis had just moved to Chicago, but he was not only worrying his opponents, but also his teammates.
In 1995, the NBA experienced a transition that, with the passage of time, can safely be considered epoch-making. At that time, two-time league champion Dennis Rodman moved from the San Antonio Spurs to the Chicago Bulls as a result of a trade. Rodman’s name was on everyone’s lips at the time. In beauty salons, women constantly talked about his recent breakup with Madonna, and on the playgrounds on the street, children who were just taking their first steps in basketball said they wanted to be like the Worm on defense.
About Rodman and Jordan:
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The Bulls management, inviting Rodman, could not help but ask their main stars their opinion of such a talented, but such an unusual player. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan were on the same page and both felt Dennis was the right person to help the Bulls take the next step. Apparently, Worm himself felt something similar, because he started with the new team literally from the beginning. After Rodman committed five technical fouls in his first eight preseason games, not only did Bulls fans lose their minds, but so did Pippen, as he later recalled in his memoir.
“In eight preseason games, Dennis received five technical fouls. I repeat, in preseason games. What will happen when the official matches start? Everyone watched him, hoping that some trouble was about to start. And he himself understood it very well,” Pippen wondered.
However, in official games Rodman was much more careful. No, he did not suddenly start to forgive his opponents or betray himself. Dennis played hard, but (with some exceptions) within the rules, and continued to lead the league in rebounding. To achieve this, the Worm worked hard, improving his skill and defensive abilities.
In order: Phil Jackson, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen, 1996/1997 season
Photo: Fake Images
“He studied the tendencies of his opponents and teammates and found the ideal position for a rebound before the player went into shooting mode. Dennis had an incredible basketball IQ. He could have a huge impact on the game without scoring a single point. How many basketball players can you say that about? — Pippen himself paid tribute to Rodman.
Imagine how opponents would feel when they came out to play Rodman if Michael Jordan admitted that he hated the Pistons when Worm played there. But in “Chicago” Rodman selected even better than in “Detroit.” During his time with the Bulls, Dennis averaged 15.3 rebounds per game, to which he added 5.2 points and 2.8 assists. In Detroit, which gave Jordan problems, Pippen averaged 11.5 rebounds per game.
Rodman’s outrageous behavior off the court often distracted him from what he could do on it. Pippen’s five technical fouls in eight preseason games are a great reminder that Dennis literally lived basketball. Also indicative are Scotty’s words about the Worm’s training process.
Michael Jordan (left) and Dennis Rodman (right), 1995/1996 season
Photo: Getty Images
“I was surprised by how reserved he was. There was Dennis Rodman, the performance, and Dennis Rodman, the everyday person, and they were very different. During training camp, Dennis spent most of his time working on his conditioning and skill. He was often the first one in the gym and the last one out,” Pippen recalled.
Rodman was truly unusual and did a lot of strange things. But who cares if he worked almost harder than anyone else on the court. Did Pippen have any idea what would happen next when he asked his question after Dennis’ five technical fouls? Maybe he sensed something. And even if he didn’t, it was no longer possible to change anything. All that was left was to trust Dennis. Chicago’s three subsequent championships prove it was worth it.
Rodman’s business:
Dennis Rodman went into the lucrative cigar business. Michael Jordan smokes six of them a day
