Scottie Pippen reveals Dennis Rodman inspired his NBA journey

National Basketball Association (NBA) legend Scottie Pippen is widely recognized as one of the greatest small forwards in league history, playing a crucial role in transforming the Chicago Bulls into a championship team and the most popular NBA franchise worldwide.

However, in an interview conducted some time ago, the 59-year-old revealed that he patterned his game after former Chicago Bulls teammate Dennis Rodman in order to make it to the NBA and succeed in the league.

It’s worth noting that Rodman—widely considered one of the best rebounders in NBA history—was not expected to make it to the league, as he played three years at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which was part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), a collegiate league several tiers below the NCAA.

Pippen also came from the NAIA, and when Rodman was drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the 27th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, it gave him hope that he too could reach the world’s most competitive basketball stage.

“He was the one guy who gave me hope that I could make it professionally from an NAIA school. So I followed his career, and I had a lot of respect for what he did in college—being a top rebounder and a very good defender. He was able to carry that on to the league and helped the Pistons solidify a championship team,” Pippen said.

“When Michael Jordan left in ’93 … Scottie Pippen was the best player in the world.”

—Dennis Rodman pic.twitter.com/AppK0XjHTt

— First Take (@FirstTake) April 20, 2020

“It pushed him to work harder and realize that it was an uphill battle his whole career. That’s how he faced that challenge, which he met every day,” he added.

Pippen eventually got the opportunity to play alongside Rodman when the latter joined the Bulls in 1995. Along with Michael Jordan, the trio became iconic, leading the franchise to a second NBA championship three-peat from 1996 to 1998.

Rodman gained a reputation for being undisciplined due to his off-court exploits, but according to Pippen, there was no player who worked harder in training or was more committed to fitness than Rodman.

“Dennis worked as hard as any player in the gym. He lifted weights, rode the bike, kept himself going before and after games—as well as during practices. He always kept himself in top shape and was very determined. You put a relentless Dennis Rodman out on the basketball court, and you better have someone there to match his energy. If you don’t, it’s going to be a long night,” Pippen concluded.

Pippen, meanwhile, ended his career with more accolades than Rodman. He was an integral part of the Bulls teams that won two championship three-peats, was a seven-time NBA All-Star, the 1994 NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP), and the NBA steals leader in 1995. His accomplishments led the Bulls to retire his No. 33 jersey in his honor.

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