Most fans generally attribute the Chicago Bulls' second-three peat to Michael Jordan's lethal scoring prowess or Scottie Pippen's ability to be the ideal No. 2 co-star. However, this feat wouldn't have been possible had Dennis Rodman not joined the team. The Worm's contribution extended beyond merely leading the league in all three seasons in Chicago; he also had sneaky ways of messing with the opponents' heads.
Unlike trash-talking legends like Larry Bird, Rodman never needed words to get under people's skin. Instead, he employed subtle antics that unsettled his opponents, redirecting their focus from the game to retaliating against him. And Pippen, as his teammate, understood his approach firsthand.
Scottie Pippen knew how Rodman played mind games
Dennis was one of those rare players who never had second thoughts before instigating even the most imposing big men in the league, even if it meant getting on their bad side. So, whenever an opponent played against the Bulls, it wasn't the prospect of seeing Michael Jordan that threw them off, but seeing Rodman's sneaky moves messed with their heads. This was a strategy that Scott was acutely aware of and appreciated.
"I think the little things that he does - banging them, grabbing them - he works hard at what he does," Pippen said . "After a while, those things tend to get under your skin and bothers players and takes their minds off what they have to do on the basketball court. I think it makes them more apt to retaliate at Dennis instead of playing the game."
Rodman's opponent considered him a 'pest'
For a player who averaged 7.3 points per game over his 14-year NBA career, Rodman's offensive deficiencies were evident. However, he compensated with exceptional defensive hustle, using his athleticism to match quicker forwards and enduring contact to secure rebounds. However, the 2-time All-Star's greatest strength was his ability to distract opponents with unconventional antics. Dominique Wilkins, who faced Rodman 46 times, understood the significance of his antics.
"Dennis wasn't much of a talker as much as he was like a pest," Nique said . "He would try to get in your head and do stuff to try to get you out of your game. That was his strong suit."
Safe to say that everyone in the league was aware of the two-time DPOY's on-court antics. As his teammate, one might've appreciated that his behavior could be beneficial. However, as his opponent, the prospect of facing a player capable of doing anything to unsettle you likely caused considerable anxiety.
Related: “The little things he does” – Phil Jackson shared why Dennis Rodman was crucial for the Bulls winning their fourth NBA title
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