In an interview with VladTV, Dennis Rodman spoke about how the Chicago Bulls dynasty came to an end in 1998. The 6-time champion explained that both Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan ended up deciding to leave. Pippen wanted a bigger contract that the Bulls were reluctant to concede. MJ had grown frustrated with the organization and wanted Phil Jackson to continue. However, Jackson had been signed on a 1-year deal and was already aware that he would be replaced, according to Netflix’s “The Last Dance.” While Rodman himself had agreed to a $10 million deal to stay, he was also released before the start of the 1999 season. Still, the Worm claimed that the Bulls could easily have won a 4th title in a row had Pippen and MJ decided to stay.
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While Rodman appears to be blaming his teammates, the Bulls were also reeling due to GM Jerry Krause and Jackson’s long-standing feud. The two never really got on, and Jackson was already aware of the fact that the Bulls planned to replace him with Tim Floyd in 1998. Jackson’s departure led to Jordan’s. That, along with Pippen’s contract dispute meant that there would be no 4th straight title for the Bulls.
Dennis Rodman claims Chicago Bulls could have won 4th straight title if not for Pippen and MJ
The 1999 NBA season saw the San Antonio Spurs win the NBA title after an incredible 37-13 regular season run. With Tim Duncan, Duncan Robinson, and Avery Johnson to bank on, the Spurs defeated Shaq and Kobe’s LA Lakers 4-0 en route to their title.
While the Spurs were undoubtedly brilliant, things could have been different had Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman been together for another year. The Worm certainly believes so, and appeared to be blaming his former teammates:
“That ‘Last Dance,’ Phil Jackson came up with that,. That’s the last season. He said, ‘This is the last dance.’ … He wasn’t coming back. I’m like, ‘Damn, man. Wow. This is it?’ Because the next year, it was a half-season. We could’ve won this thing four in a row. But I tried saying in the pep rally, ‘Hey. Let’s bring everybody back together.’ Some days you look back and say, ‘We could’ve won four in a row.’ But I think Michael got fed up.”
While Rodman later said he would have paid Pippen what he wanted, he also claimed he himself was good with $10 million:
“I think he was a little frustrated because he wanted a big contract. He won a big contract, and Jerry Cross wouldn’t give it to him and stuff like that. So I think Scottie was more like, he did have an injury, but I think it’s more like he was just frustrated at that time because he deserved (more) money. I would have paid him the money. Jordan got 40 million, 45 million, Scottie got 20 million. I don’t know. Stuff like that. Just give me ten. I’m good.”
The Chicago Bulls would have become the second team to ever win the NBA Championship 4 times straight. They would have managed this feat after the Boston Celtics. It would have been another astounding achievement for Jordan and company, who still left an unmatched legacy in the NBA.
Dennis Rodman’s career went downhill after leaving the Chicago Bulls
Once released by the Bulls, Rodman was quick to sign for the LA Lakers. However, a stint alongside Shaq and Kobe lasted just 23 games, after which he was released in the offseason.
Then 37, The Worm had consistent injury issues and was a pale shadow of his former self. He ended up joining the Dallas Mavericks the following year, but had another poor stint marred with controversies.
Then teammate Steve Nash famously commented that Rodman never wanted to be a Maverick. Rodman played just 12 games for them. This was followed by stints in Mexico and the ABA. This suggests that the Last Dance with the Bulls was actually the last time he played at a high level.
