Dennis Rodman is one of the greatest defenders in NBA history. Despite not being a hulking 7-foot player, Rodman was spectacular on the defensive end and is widely regarded as one of the best rebounders of all time. But there was one player that even Rodman knew he couldn’t stop; his future teammate Michael Jordan.
In 1991, during a heated Eastern Conference Finals between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, Rodman spoke about how he would focus his attention on Scottie Pippen, as trying to stop Michael Jordan was a futile effort, and planning to stop him would be a waste of his time.
“I could sit here all night and try to think about stopping Michael Jordan, but that’s a waste of time. Nobody stops him. You can’t prepare for him”
– Dennis Rodman
— The Ballfather (@StevenKelsey13) December 6, 2021
“My job is to shut down Pippen; that’s the key for us. I could sit here all night and try to think about stopping Michael Jordan, but that’s a waste of time. Nobody stops him. You can’t prepare for him. But if I can keep Pippen from going wild, we’ve got a good chance.”
Despite being a massive rival at the time, Rodman clearly had massive respect for Jordan. But on the court, Rodman had one job: stop the Bulls at any cost, and get under their skins. He and Scottie Pippen clashed often during the Pistons’ and Bulls’ electric rivalry in the Eastern Conference.
Just 4 years after these comments and these series, Rodman would find himself sharing a court with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. But this time, it would be as teammates on the Bulls. The trio immediately clicked and complemented each other very well.
Jordan and Pippen would keep Rodman’s wild side in check, even once stopping Rodman from fighting Shaquille O’Neal by restraining him and holding him back. To this day, they have massive respect for each other, with Rodman and Pippen saying that they would’ve gone undefeated in the ’98-99 lockout season.
Rodman brought his defensive vigor, unmatched rebounding ability, and fighting spirit to the Bulls, as they went on an incredible run, winning 3 consecutive NBA championships, adding to the Bulls’ first three-peat in the 1990s.
