For three consecutive postseasons, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls endured heartbreaking defeats at the hands of the Detroit Pistons. They were battered, bruised, and embarrassed in every series. Each loss forced them back to the drawing board to think of ways to oust their rivals.
The day of reckoning came in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls dominated the Pistons, 4-0, proving they had finally discovered the formula for victory. MJ learned that to break the “Jordan Rules,” he had to shoot the rock as early as possible before the defense came to him.
Zero respect
Meanwhile, Pippen had a different realization from their victory. The matchup taught him not to fold against his foes — even if it’s the baddest man on the planet, Dennis Rodman.
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“You just take the blow and try to shake it off,” Pippen said in 1991, per the Chicago Tribune. “This is the team that’s been keeping us down, and to put them behind us is a great feeling. I think I was paying Rodman too much respect, and it may have cost us. But no more.”
Pip endured several beatdowns from “The Worm” during their battles. One was a seemingly inadvertent kick in 1988, which knocked him out for a couple of seconds. There were even rumors that this incident caused Pip’s chronic migraines throughout his career.
Six stitches
In Game 4 of the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, Rodman nailed the Arkansas native again. “The Worm” shoved Pip into the photographers, causing a nasty cut on the Bulls forward’s chin that needed six stitches.
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The five-time champ wrote an apology letter to the Bulls forward right after the game, noting that he didn’t mean to push him and that his actions were prompted by frustration. The Pistons forward also cleared up his reputation.
“I am not the type of player of which I have been accused,” Rodman’s letter read in part. “The situation was one of those things which should not have happened. I am ready and willing to accept any fines or consequences set by the league for my actions.”
“I sincerely apologize to you, your teammates, and the entire Chicago Bulls organization. I also hope that there are no hard feelings between you, your teammates, and me,” he added.
As expected, Scottie didn’t take the letter well. He didn’t even think Rodman penned the letter himself.
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“I’m not convinced he wrote it,” Pippen said. “If he did, it’s a confession, but I don’t believe it’s going to make up for the scar I might have on my chin.”
Patching things up
As fate would have it, the two basketball legends would wear the Bulls jersey together. Phil Jackson made Rodman apologize to Pip during their first meeting, and it was smooth sailing from then on.
Scottie even stepped up for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year whenever controversies came up. When the former Pistons forward kicked a cameraman in Minnesota, Pippen defended his teammates’ frustration.
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A couple of years ago, Rodman even proclaimed Pip was the best player in the world after Jordan retired for the first time. From bitter rivals, the two basketball titans learned to love and respect one another.