The third episode of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” documentary following the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls aired on Sunday night and gave the audience a background on the most colorful player of that team, Dennis Rodman.
The audience was taken on a deep dive into the third part of the three headed beast that was Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Rodman throughout the second 3-peat of the decade.
An unprecedented look into the life that is Dennis Rodman and how one of the wildest personalities in sports history became one of the greatest defenders in NBA history.
Rodman saved the Bulls from demise in 1997/1998
During the 97-98 basketball season the Bulls were missing one of their most poised pieces for their success, Scottie Pippen. Pippen had surgery on his foot just before the start of the season and missed the first 35 games while rehabbing.
The Bulls, being reigning NBA champions, were off to a rocky start of 8-7. They needed help in a big way and that came in the form of Dennis Rodman. His aggressive defense and unstoppable rebounding galvanized the team back to its winning ways.
By the time Scottie Pippen returned the Bulls had taken back control in the East. Jordan, Pippen and Rodman were playing together again ready to go and capture their second three-peat of the decade.
Rodman’s Mid-Season Vacation
Once Scottie Pippen returned during the 97-98 season Rodman needed a break. He was the backbone of the team along with Jordan that helped the team continue winning in Pippen’s absence.
This is the personality that encompasses Dennis Rodman. Following the return of Pippen, he asked Coach Phil Jackson for a vacation in the middle of the season. Jackson consoled in Jordan on his opinion of the vacation. Jordan knew the personality they were dealing with and it was not a good idea.
Reluctantly Jackson granted Rodman a 48-hour vacation from the team. Rodman went straight to Las Vegas for his vacation. And as Jordan predicted the so-called vacation lasted well over 48 hours and was exactly what he needed to help the team.
Rodman Before the Bulls
Dennis Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1986 out of Southeastern Oklahoma State. With the Pistons he went on to win two NBA titles in 1989-90 before his time with the Bulls.
He was a part of one of the toughest defensive teams around. They used their physicality and brute force to beat teams into submission. This physicality was especially evident in the Eastern Conference Finals back-to-back years against the Bulls.
The physically different type of basketball played back then was shown by this team. Their “Jordan Rule” defense is unlike anything that has every been heard of. The idea was do not let Jordan near the rim, if he gets close hit him to the ground…hard.
It is crazy to see that Rodman, someone Jordan speaks highly of as a teammate and friend, was once trying to hit Jordan as hard as he could. Before the Bulls he was one of the greatest on court foes Jordan faced in that Piston’s team.
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