Despite ‘Dating’ $600,000,000 Worth Owner’s Daughter, Dennis Rodman Critiqued Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s Distaste Over Popularity Contest

In 1999, Dennis Rodman signed for the Los Angeles Lakers after the collapse of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. It was a huge deal, that saw The Worm team up with the league’s top duo at the time, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. But, unfortunately, his stint in LA didn’t last very long. Despite dating Jeanie Buss, who was Lakers’ executive vice president then and the daughter of $600,000,000 worth Lakers’ owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, Rodman lasted just 23 games. And, when asked why, he told VladTV that it probably had to do with Shaq and Kobe.

(1999) Kobe and Rodman 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ltONnNnbMw

— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) March 4, 2022

Rodman came to the Lakers with a wealth of experience behind him. Five championship rings, three of which he had won with the legendary Bulls, made him a talent that could have really helped the Purple and Gold. However, his attitude and inability to bond with his teammates led to his downfall in the City of Angels.

Dennis Rodman believes Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were unhappy to see him join the Lakers

Following the end of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, the major players on the team went their separate ways. Michael Jordan announced his second retirement, Scottie Pippen headed to the Houston Rockets, and Dennis Rodman found himself on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Rodman’s move to LA was greeted with much fanfare. After all, he was a five-time NBA Champion and a player that Lakers fans hoped could help them return to the glory days. As a result, The Worm slowly grew to become the most popular figure in LA. He even had the love and appreciation of the owner, Dr. Jerry Buss, whose daughter, he just so happened to be dating.

However, his stint with the Lakers was a short-lived one. Rodman only lasted 23 games wearing the Purple and God. But, why was that? Well, it may have had a lot to do with the team’s two stars, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. According to Rodman, Shaq and Kobe were not big fans of his joining the team. And, it was all because the attention shifted from them to him.

“It was hard. It was hard because I knew the fact that Shaq and Kobe wouldn’t like me. I saw Jerry Buss…he loved me…I used to date his daughter. I was dating his daughter at the time. We dated for like six months…and I knew Kobe and Shaq wouldn’t like me because the whole attention became “Dennis”. It shifted from them to me quick. I mean you could see it in the stands, in the city on billboards. They rarely talked to me, even in games. I mean that’s the main reason why they cut me!”

It certainly wasn’t the run in LA he was hoping for. And, given how much the team valued their superstars, Rodman was not invited back the following season.

Rodman did not return to the Lakers who went on to win three NBA Championships under Phil Jackson

After his horrible season with the Lakers, Dennis Rodman once again entered free agency. But, while he did hope to return to LA, with his good friend Phil Jackson taking up the coaching job, an offer never came. The Worm then went on to play with the Dallas Mavericks, and as for the Lakers, they found nothing but success.

Following Rodman’s departure, Shaq, Kobe, and Jackson went on to deliver three championships to LA. Becoming just the fifth and last team till now to achieve a three-peat.

It was an impressive accomplishment, which cemented Shaq and Kobe’s legacy as two of the greats. That being said, it took nothing away from Rodman, who, despite the failed stint, was and still is a legend in his own right.