The Chicago Bulls icon Dennis Rodman had once ranked fellow teammate Scottie Pippen over LeBron James even considering if LeBron played in the ’90s. Rodman had been quite vocal while praising Pippen’s game, despite their previous bad blood which dated back to his days with the Bad Boys Pistons.
Dennis Rodman Once Ranked Bulls Legend Over LeBron James
Dennis Rodman once opened up about Scottie Pippen during an interview with ESPN where he genuinely praised his former teammate. Rodman was candid when he mentioned how gifted the small forward had been.
He then went on to note how much the Bulls’ small forward had changed the game and the perception of his position. Rodman drew parallels between LeBron James and Scottie Pippen, saying that even if Bron played in the ’90s NBA, he still wouldn’t be better than Pippen.
“If LeBron was playing during the ’90s, I’d still say Scottie Pippen was the second-best player behind Michael,” Rodman remarked.
#Bulls Dennis Rodman believes Scottie Pippen would’ve been BETTER than LeBron James if they both played in the 90s pic.twitter.com/Jvqc3LL1cm
— Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) November 28, 2023
Dennis Rodman had always been straightforward and bold in his takes on everything sports. He did not hesitate in labeling Scottie Pippen the second-best player, just behind Michael Jordan.
Rodman Ranks Pippen Over Larry Bird
LeBron James wasn’t the only great Scottie Pippen outranked in Rodman’s take. In the same interview, “The Worm” even compared Pippen’s playing style to that of Celtics legend Larry Bird.
According to Rodman, Bird couldn’t play as many versatile positions as Scottie Pippen.
“At that time, people were calling Larry Bird the quintessential forward,” Dennis Rodman said. “He was great, but he couldn’t play multiple positions like Scottie could. He wasn’t agile enough. I just don’t think people realize what Scottie was doing in 1991.”
Rodman then expanded on how much he feels Scottie Pippen has revolutionized the game and the ‘point-forward’ role.
“He [Scottie] revolutionized the point-forward position. All these players today should thank Scottie Pippen. Guys like Kevin Durant should say, ‘Wow, look what you did for us.’ Scottie could handle, he could shoot the ball, he could defend, he could rebound,” Pippen added.
Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen were not the best of friends when “the Worm” arrived from the Spurs. In fact, Rodman was forced to apologize to Scottie before he could ink his Bulls contract.
They slowly bonded over their shared passion for the sport during their Bulls tenure. Given how highly Rodman esteems Pippen and his game, it is safe to say the two icons have long buried the hatchet.
Dennis Rodman Relates to Scottie Pippen’s Game
“The Worm” also talked about the similarities he found between his and Scottie Pippen’s playing style. He mentioned how both of them were agile, defensively sound and could rise up to the occasion in clutch moments.
“I felt like our games were similar. We were both wiry, relied on our energy, our defense, to make a difference in the game. And we were both learning on the job,” Rodman said. “We weren’t the smartest guys out there because we hadn’t been playing as long as some of the others. But we got there.”
By the time Rodman signed for the Red and Black, he had already won two rings, and Scottie had won three. The Bulls superteam comprising the Jordan-Pippen-Rodman trio would together win an iconic three-peat and remains one of the greatest dominating sides in League history.
