Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls had one of the most successful dynasties in NBA history, resulting in six rings over eight years, dominating the 90s. While Jordan has received his flowers for his greatness, Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish provided a harsh reality check while making an appearance on “The Coach JB Show with Big Smitty”.
Parish emphasized the importance of Dennis Rodman‘s role and said:
“Let’s not forget. Chicago wouldn’t have won sh** without Dennis Rodman. I don’t care how good Michael and Scottie Pippen were, they wouldn’t have won sh** without Dennis Rodman. Because Luc Longley, and that other m**********r, I can’t think of the other center’s name, they was just in the way.”
Parish, a seasoned champion with the Celtics, was aware of the intricacies of the game. Having been a center himself, he could positively discern how effective the players occupying the Bulls’ frontcourt were – and none of them were as good as Rodman.
“If it wasn’t not for Dennis Rodman, defense and rebounding, which we all know wins games, wins championships, defensive rebounding, and keeping turnovers in check,” he continued. “Chicago wasn’t winning sh** without Dennis Rodman.”
Parish was a relic of an era before Michael Jordan. Having come into the league in 1977, the Celtics legend saw the rise and fall of several teams. With specific reference to the Chicago, the Celtics’ big man had many showdowns with Jordan’s Bulls, witnessing his failures transforming into success in due time.
The Bulls’ run from 1991-1993 saw them steamroll through the competition, with Jordan emerging as the undisputed best player in the league. But after Jordan took a hiatus from the game, opting to retire after the 1993 finals, the NBA started to change.
Jordan’s return near the end of the 1994-95 regular season saw Chicago crash out of the playoffs after a loss to the Orlando Magic. This made it apparent that they needed more for their team.
Dennis Rodman was the final piece of the puzzle. Rodman’s unrelenting work on defense and his effort on the rebounding glass turned the Bulls into a powerhouse again, sparking one of the greatest regular-season performances by a team in NBA history, and reigniting a dynasty.
Rodman’s questionable and eccentric lifestyle choices were worth the trouble, simply because of how much he impacted winning. Considering the statements made on the forward’s contributions on “The Last Dance,” it is abundantly clear that Parish’s point has merit.
As dominant as Jordan was on his own, he wouldn’t have become the symbol of victory without his teammates. Similarly, the team wouldn’t have been successful without a star like Jordan paving the way.
