Dennis Rodman was a key factor in the Chicago Bulls’ second three-peat during the 1990s. It’s no stretch to say that without “The Worm” — with his relentless energy, outstanding rebounding, tough defense, and strong will — the team from the Windy City might not have reached the incredible success they did in those years.
However, what’s fascinating is that when the Bulls front office sought reinforcements back in 1995, Rodman wasn’t initially considered a top priority. In fact, according to then-head coach Phil Jackson, signing the future Hall of Famer initially seemed almost out of the question.
Jackson’s secret list led to Rodman
After the 1994-95 NBA season, the Bulls faced a pivotal moment. With three championships already in the bag, the team’s leadership, including General Manager Jerry Reinsdorf and head coach Jackson, set out to identify their next big move. The mission was clear: bolster the roster with a player who could help extend their dynasty.
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At the time, the team had just lost key forward Horace Grant, a crucial piece during their first three-peat, who departed for the Orlando Magic. Jackson knew they needed to fill that gap — someone who could complement the already potent duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
In a 1997 interview, “The Zen Master” shared his approach to finding the right fit for the team, jotting down names on paper in true brainstorming style.
“I put down on paper seven guys who I thought could help us out,” recalled Jackson. “He (Rodman) was the seventh at the bottom of that list.”
From outcast to perfect fit
When Rodman was first considered by the Bulls, it wasn’t anything concrete — more like an idea that didn’t really seem likely to happen.
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This wasn’t because of his talent — Phil admitted it was “simply because of what he brings with him,” referring to Dennis’ notorious reputation both on and off the court, which had already led to conflicts with many people since he entered the league in 1986.
Still, “The Zen Master” didn’t reject the idea right away. Before making any decisions, he had the most important conversation — with “His Airness” and “Robin.”
“We would have never made the move without checking first with Scottie [Pippen] and Michael [Jordan],” he explained.
Only after both of the team’s superstars gave their approval, assuring him they could handle “The Worm’s” unpredictable behavior as long as the head coach managed it, did Jackson move forward.
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The Montana native gave another reason for going through with it. He said he trusted the locker room, calling it a “professional enough group of guys,” and believed the team was mature enough to handle the storm that came with the fiery former San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons forward.
“We could handle a distraction and a personality like Dennis,” the legendary head coach later reflected.
Now, almost 30 years later, it’s interesting to wonder who the other six candidates were back then. But for every Bulls fan, the choice was clearly the right one.
Despite all his quirks, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year turned out to be exactly what the team needed — and the team was exactly what Rodman needed. The result? An almost perfect match that brought three more championship banners to Chicago.