Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen Weren’t Very Excited When Phil Jackson Asked About Bulls Acquiring Dennis Rodman In 1995

Phil Jackson asked NBA legends Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen how they felt about the Chicago Bulls acquiring Dennis Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs in 1995.

Jordan and Pippen didn’t like Rodman since he used to hurt them physically when he was on the Detroit Pistons.

“So, in the summer of 1995, when Phil asked how I felt about the possibility of the Bulls acquiring Dennis, who was then 34, I didn’t object,” Pippen wrote in his book. “Nor did Michael. Not that there weren’t some concerns. Of course there were. Michael’s reaction was something to the effect of ‘Dennis Rodman? Really?’ Yes, really, and it made a lot of sense.”

Rodman played three seasons with the Bulls and helped Jordan and Pippen three-peat again. Chicago won titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and Rodman played his role to a T. 

One of the top defenders in NBA history, Rodman appeared in 199 games with the Bulls. He averaged 5.2 points and 15.3 rebounds and won three consecutive rebounding titles. 

“Dennis was one of the smartest guys I played with,” Jordan said in The Last Dance about Rodman. “He understood defensive strategy with all the rotations. He had no limits in terms of what he does. … He was a new character, but I knew Dennis, and I knew what he could do basketball-wise.”

Pippen admired Rodman’s defensive ability and motor. Jordan, Pippen and Rodman didn’t hang out with each other off the court, but the three Hall of Famers had great chemistry on the basketball floor. 

“He studied the tendencies of his opponents and teammates, planting himself in perfect rebounding position even before guys got into a shooting mode,” Pippen wrote in his book. “Dennis possessed an unbelievable basketball IQ. He could have a tremendous impact on a game without scoring a single point. How many players can you say that about?

After the Bulls won their fifth championship in 1997 against the Utah Jazz, Jordan was asked by an NBA reporter if he wanted Rodman back and MJ made it clear that Chicago needed to re-sign Rodzilla despite his berserk nature.

“His dresses doesn’t bother me,” Jordan said. “His hair doesn’t bother me. Sure, I mean, 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. I don’t think Scottie does. We’ve been able to control him to some degree, and we’re here for champions back-to-back.”

Rodman finished his Bulls career with averages of 5.2 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks.

The Bulls beat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals and the Jazz in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals. 

Jordan, Pippen and Rodman are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They are three of the greatest players in NBA history.