Michael Jordan hated Dennis Rodman when the big man was on the Detroit Pistons. The Chicago Bulls superstar would routinely get knocked to the ground by the Worm when he drove to the basket and suffered many bruises.

However, things changed in 1995 when the Bulls acquired Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs. Jordan knew what the rebounding machine brought to the table and was confident he would help Chicago win championships.

So even though Rodman had an eccentric personality, Jordan dealt with it because he loved the energy and passion with which the New Jersey native played.

Michael Jordan on Dennis Rodman: His dresses doesn’t bother me

After the Bulls won their fifth title in 1997, Jordan was asked by a reporter if he wanted Rodman back. His Airness made it clear that Chicago needed to re-sign the two-time Defensive Player of the Year despite his berserk nature.

“His dresses doesn’t bother me,” Jordan said. “His hair doesn’t bother me. Sure, I mean, he’s gonna go wacko every now and then. We’ve come to live with that. We’ve come to accept that. But you can’t find another player on the basketball court that works just as hard as Dennis Rodman. Gives 110%, dives at loose balls even if he can’t get them. That’s Dennis Rodman. So I don’t have a problem with Dennis, and I don’t think Phil does. I don’t think Scottie does. We’ve been able to control him to some degree, and we’re here for champions back-to-back.”

During his three-year run in Chicago, Rodman didn’t make an All-Star team. However, he was a force on the boards and helped Jordan and the Bulls three-peat.

Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman won three championships together

In the summer of 1994, the Bulls lost Horace Grant to the Orlando Magic. Without Grant in the middle, Chicago didn’t have a defensive stopper or rebounder, which is why general manager Jerry Krause was forced to trade for Rodman in 1995.

In 199 games with the Bulls, Rodman played his role to a T. He averaged 5.6 points and 15.4 rebounds and was a pest on defense. Opposing big men hated playing against Rodzilla because he never ran out of energy and loved being an instigator.

While Rodman anchored the middle, Jordan focused on scoring. The Bulls won three straight championships in 1996, 1997, and 1998. They had a top-10 offense and defense each season, with Jordan and Rodman leading the way.

It’s pretty fascinating that Jordan and Rodman became teammates and won titles together. After all, the latter wore a wedding dress once, married himself, changed the color of his hair numerous times, and hung out at gay bars during his free time. MJ didn’t hang out with Demolition Man off the court. However, when it was time to go to battle, he wanted Rodman by his side when it mattered most.

Jordan is undoubtedly the best player in Bulls history. He won six championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, and 10 scoring titles in Chicago and holds 27 franchise records. However, Rodman has to be considered a Bulls legend as well despite only playing three seasons in the Windy City.

Dennis the Menace holds four Bulls records

Rodman only played 199 regular-season games with the Bulls. He never appeared in all 82 games in a season during his three-year stint with Jordan and Co., and the former Pistons star even took a vacation to Las Vegas in 1997-98 to unwind.

Despite all of his theatrics, Rodman is the Bulls’ all-time leader in rebounds per game, offensive rebound percentage, defensive rebound percentage, and total rebound percentage. He also won three rebounding titles with Chicago.

The Bulls have retired four jerseys: Jerry Sloan (4), Bob Love (10), Jordan (23), and Scottie Pippen (33). Many Chicago fans believe Rodman’s No. 91 should be the next jersey to be hung in the rafters at the United Center. After all, he helped the organization three-peat and is 10th all-time in offensive rebounds (1,097) despite only playing three years in Chicago.