Today we are going to explore the theory on if the Bulls would have won as many championships without Dennis Rodman on the roster. Let’s begin with the context of the episodes three and four for the Micheal Jordan documentary aired this past Sunday.
In the beginning, they interviewed the five-time champion Dennis Rodman before the start of the mini-series. Dennis Rodman said, “I don’t think the Bulls would have won a championship without me.” In my personal opinion, I believed the Bulls would have won 5 consecutive championships without Rodman playing.
Rodman led the league in rebounds four consecutive seasons before joining the Bulls in the 1995-96 season. Before Rodman joined the team in 1994, the Bulls power forward, Larry Krystkowiak, averaged a total of 3.1 rebounds that year. The Bulls center, Bill Perdue, averaged 6.7 rebounds that year for a combined total of 9.8 total rebounds. Rodman alone that year averaged a total of 16.8 rebounds in the 1994-95 season while also carrying the rebounding title in his next three years.
The year Rodman joined the Bulls in the 1995-1996 season, he averaged a total of 14.9 rebounds that year. Rodman presented himself as the backbone of the team. He completed the Bulls even it was Micheal and Scottie show. However, you can not deny that Rodman was arguably the most crucial defender when the Bulls matched up against the more elite teams. There is still no telling if the Bulls would have won without Rodman or not. Still, it is inevitable that Rodman is due his credit and deserves recognition for being one of the enforcers on the defensive end and the defensive and offensive boards.
Do you think Rodman played a more significant role while playing with the Bulls than he received credit? Leave your comments below.
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