Dennis Rodman is considered to be one of the greatest defenders in the history of the NBA. Rodman was part of two of the greatest teams in NBA history, playing for the 80s Detroit Pistons, and the Chicago Bulls from 1995 to 1998. Rodman won 5 championships in his career, but perhaps the championships he is most proud of are the ones he won with Chicago while defeating the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals.
Dennis Rodman was tasked with guarding Jazz forward Karl Malone, one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. And Rodman accepted that challenge, going all out whenever he and Malone were facing off. In fact, he was extremely confident about guarding Malone, going as far as to say that he could do it all day if the referees in the league would allow him to play his brand of tough, physical defense (2:12 onwards).
“I don’t respect a guy like that. I’m 225, I can hit hard every game every night, and I don’t b*tch.”
“Hey, if the referees let me play, I can guard Malone all day.”
Rodman and Malone’s rivalry wasn’t just limited to the basketball court. The two took their rivalry to the wrestling ring after the 1998 NBA Finals, as Rodman teamed up with ‘Hollywood’ Hulk Hogan to take on Karl Malone and Diamon Dallas Page at WCW Bash At The Beach 1998. Much like on the court, Rodman got the better of Malone in the ring as well.
Rodman and Malone had some intense battles during the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals. The two would constantly go back and forth, showcasing their immense physicality. Oftentimes, things would escalate between the two, and they would even get into fights on the court. Rodman was a pest on the court, and he was able to get under Malone’s skin with tough defense.
