Dennis Rodman: Ranking his role with each team he played for

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (L) pats Dennis Rodman (R), both of the Chicago Bulls, after Rodman was called for a technical foul 03 May during the second half of their NBA eastern conference semi-finals game against the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls won the game 83-70 to lead the series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Michael Jordan (L) pats Dennis Rodman (R), both of the Chicago Bulls, after Rodman was called for a technical foul 03 May during the second half of their NBA eastern conference semi-finals game against the Charlotte Hornets at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls won the game 83-70 to lead the series 1-0. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Dennis Rodman
Former Detroit Piston Dennis Rodman (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

#1 Detroit Pistons

Rodman’s time with the Bulls was fantastic. They won three consecutive championships and again, it was ultimately what solidified his place in the conversation of the all-time greats. However, it doesn’t compare to what he was able to achieve with Detroit.

When he was initially drafted, he was an unknown player who carried himself in a relatively shy and reserved manner. After forming close bonds with teammates and mainly their former head coach Chuck Daly, the Pistons became a brotherhood.

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The family dynamic that they built together helped them make it to three consecutive NBA Finals, and after losing in 1988 to the Los Angeles Lakers, they went on to win back to back in ’89 and ’90.

The high motor with which Rodman played helped spring Detroit’s style of play to a new level. The overly aggressive tag-team style defense that the Bad Boys rolled with made them the biggest villains in basketball and they embraced it.

It didn’t matter that Rodman wasn’t their leader, he was as important to that team as anyone else.

The Pistons spent two seasons interrupting what is now know as the “golden era” of basketball. For two years they were the best team on the planet and no one could stop them. A team led by Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and so many other key pieces was a force that no one could touch.

Their breakup in the early 90’s is what sparked the outbursts and uncharacteristic acts from Rodman that we saw in the following years. What the team meant to him and what he meant to them went unmatched throughout the rest of his career.

Next. What Pistons fans can expect from a potential virtual draft. dark