{"id":75367,"date":"2024-04-29T16:03:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T20:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=75367"},"modified":"2024-04-29T16:03:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T20:03:37","slug":"dennis-rodman-ranked-bulls-legend-over-lebron-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/04\/29\/dennis-rodman-ranked-bulls-legend-over-lebron-james\/","title":{"rendered":"Dennis Rodman Once Ranked Bulls Legend Over LeBron James"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bulls icon Dennis Rodman<\/a> had once ranked fellow teammate Scottie Pippen<\/a> over LeBron James<\/a> even considering if LeBron played in the ’90s. Rodman had been quite vocal while praising Pippen’s game, despite their previous bad blood<\/a> which dated back to his days with the Bad Boys Pistons.<\/p>\n

Dennis Rodman Once Ranked Bulls Legend Over LeBron James<\/h2>\n

Dennis Rodman once opened up about Scottie Pippen during an interview with ESPN<\/a> where he genuinely praised his former teammate. Rodman was candid when he mentioned how gifted the small forward had been.<\/p>\n

He then went on to note how much the Bulls\u2019 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\u2019t be better than Pippen.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf LeBron was playing during the ’90s, I’d still say Scottie Pippen was the second-best player behind Michael,\u201d Rodman remarked.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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#Bulls<\/a> Dennis Rodman believes Scottie Pippen would\u2019ve been BETTER than LeBron James if they both played in the 90s pic.twitter.com\/Jvqc3LL1cm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Die-Hard Chicago Bulls Fans (@DieHardCBfans) November 28, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rodman Ranks Pippen Over Larry Bird<\/h3>\n

LeBron James wasn\u2019t the only great Scottie Pippen outranked in Rodman’s take. In the same interview, “The Worm” even compared Pippen\u2019s playing style to that of Celtics legend Larry Bird.<\/p>\n

According to Rodman, Bird couldn\u2019t play as many versatile positions as Scottie Pippen.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rodman then expanded on how much he feels Scottie Pippen has revolutionized the game and the ‘point-forward’ role.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Dennis Rodman Relates to Scottie Pippen’s Game<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe Worm\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

“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,\u201d Rodman said. \u201cWe weren’t the smartest guys out there because we hadn’t been playing as long as some of the others. But we got there.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n