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During the 1997-98 NBA season, Dennis Rodman took an in-season vacation from the Chicago Bulls . He went to Las Vegas with Carmen Electra and was only supposed to be gone for 48 hours.
However, Rodman was away from the Bulls for more than 48 hours, which forced Michael Jordan to drag the party animal out of his bed and back to practice.
“He didn’t come back on time,” Jordan said in Episode 4 of The Last Dance. “We had to go get his ass out of bed. And I’m not gonna say what’s in his bed and where he was.”
Rodman said in The Last Dance that he appreciated Jordan and Scottie Pippen for accepting him for who he was.
“Michael and Scottie accepted me for who I am,” Rodman said. “I go party hard, but I work hard. I think that we get along so well because we wanna win. We wanna win a championship.”
Rodman appeared in 80 games for the Bulls in 1997-98. He averaged 4.7 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.2 blocks while shooting 43.1% from the field.
The NBA legend led the league in rebounds per game.
The Bulls went 62-20 in 1997-98. Jordan averaged 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 46.5% overall, 23.8% from beyond the arc and 78.4% from the free-throw line. MJ won his 10th scoring title and fifth MVP.
Chicago defeated the New Jersey Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers in the 1998 Eastern Conference playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals. The Bulls faced the Utah Jazz in the ’98 NBA Finals, their opponent from the ’97 Finals.
After the Bulls beat the Jazz in Game 3 of the ’98 NBA Finals on June 7, Rodman skipped practice the next day to fly to Detroit and wrestle with Hulk Hogan.
Chicago fined Rodman $10,000.
“I just think that Phil realized that I need to always do me,” Rodman said in The Last Dance doc. “Just go do what I do. … They’re gonna get 100% when I’m on the court.”
The Bulls defeated the Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals in six games for their sixth title in franchise history. Jordan won his sixth Finals MVP, Pippen won his sixth ring and Rodman captured his fifth championship.
After the 1997-98 season, Jordan retired from the NBA, the Bulls traded Pippen to the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade deal and Rodman signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Significant concern emerges for Bengals, Joe Burrow
The Cincinnati Bengals defense has stepped up its game in training camp this summer, and it's giving the coaching staff some pause about Joe Burrow's protection. The Bengals were tied with the New York Giants, giving up the 11th most sacks in the league last year (48). Given Burrow's importance to the team and long injury history dating back to his time at LSU, Cincinnati needs to see improvement from the offensive line. Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals' depth on the offensive line is a concern at training camp. During one practice, backups Cody Ford and Devin Cochran were seen getting first-team reps while starting right tackle Amarius Mims was sidelined, dealing with a hand injury. But it's not just the backups that are a worry. Cincinnati is expected to give third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild the starting job at left guard. "On top of concern regarding rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild, currently the leader in the clubhouse to start at left guard, the cast of question marks lacking experience, floating behind the starting tackles, is startling," Dehner wrote. "If the Bengals had to play Cleveland this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t tell you who would hold down the starting spot. "Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defensive line consistently produced disruptive reps, and they are a group lacking historically potent pass rushers in their own right...The Bengals just feel notably weak and inexperienced. When the rest of the offense is so stacked with talent, and the history of the performance in front of Burrow being what it is, that’s hard to look past right now." The Bengals decided to spend their money on pass catchers for Burrow. Given the results of the offense last season, it's easy to understand why Cincinnati wants Burrow to deliver the ball to exceptional athletes. The risk is that Burrow won't hold up behind an offensive line that is lacking investment. If injuries pile up during the regular season, it's a concern that will only increase.
Milwaukee Brewers: Nestor Cortes Gone, Standout Rookie 3B Has Emerged as Gem from Would-Be Lose-Lose Trade
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes was the centerpiece of the Milwaukee Brewers‘ return haul from trading co-closer Devin Williams to the Yankees last December. Eight months later, Cortes is a member of the Padres, logging all of two starts in Milwaukee before injuries sapped his season. Over in New York, Williams lost his closer’s job, got it back, and has had one good month en route to a 5.04 ERA. Without the other part of Milwaukee’s incoming package, then minor-league third baseman Caleb Durbin, the trade would look at this juncture like a lose-lose scenario. Thanks to Durbin, it’s been anything but for the Brewers. Caleb Durbin is Milwaukee Brewers’ diamond in the rough Durbin didn’t make the spring training cut. Instead, the Brewers went with fellow rookie Oliver Dunn as the team’s starting third baseman. Durbin went down to Triple-A Nashville. Dunn didn’t last. After he struggled through the first three weeks of the season, he and Durbin switched places and the latter hasn’t squandered his shot. Following a slow start, he’s turned up the heat at the dish while playing outstanding defense. He’s had an OPS around .800 for over two months now and has his season slashline up to .263/.344/.372. His 2.2 WAR in 86 games played is tied for 10th among all third basemen, making him one of the position’s more valuable players. The Brewers saw plenty of promise in Durbin when they traded for him, coming off a strong season with New York’s Triple-A affiliate. Even though he didn’t, he was a decent candidate to make the team out of spring. The team likely didn’t see a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, which he is. By WAR, he and Braves catcher Drake Baldwin have contributed the same value to their teams, more than any other NL rookies. Cortes, on the other hand, was supposed to be a consistent cog in the rotation. Last year for the Yankees, he made 30 starts and recorded a 3.77 ERA. Instead, he’s still making his way back from injury ahead of start number three this season. In San Diego. Of course, Milwaukee did turn him into outfielder Brandon Lockridge, who will provide depth while Jackson Chourio is hurt. To dump Cortes’ salary, however, they had to attach a prospect, infielder Jorge Quintana. Neither Cortes nor Williams has been what the receiving team hoped. Both will be free agents this offseason. Only the Yankees, however, are at risk of walking away empty-handed. With years of team control remaining, the Brewers have in Durbin what looks to be their third baseman of both the present and future. The trade didn’t deliver according to expectations, but it’s hard to be too upset with the results.
Patriots Giving Up On Second-Round Bust, Could Seek Trade Partners
New England Patriots second-round pick Ja’Lynn Polk had a rookie season to forget, and he may not have an opportunity to redeem himself in 2025. Selected with the 37th-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Washington product joined a wide-open depth chart with the opportunity to establish an immediate rapport with short-term starter Jacoby Brissett and fellow rookie Drake Maye. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do much of anything, catching just 12 of his 33 targets for 87 yards and two touchdowns while finishing with a 43.1 PFF grade, the worst mark out of 133 eligible receivers. A lot can change between now and the regular season, but ESPN’s Mike Reiss suggests that Ja’Lynn Polk is facing an uphill battle to earn a job. In a recent article, the beat reporter said Polk is “not on the current radar” for the organization and is not receiving reps with the first- or second-team offense. If this trend continues, first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots could cut their losses and trade the second-round pick for whatever they can get. While it probably won’t be anything more than a conditional late-round pick swap, the following four teams could roll the dice on Polk. REPORT: Patriots Likely to Seek Trade Partner For Ja’Lynn Polk Top Destinations Los Angeles Chargers As of this writing, the Los Angeles Chargers have not yet signed old friend Keenan Allen to a new contract. However, even if they reunite with the former third-round pick, this team could use more young blood at the position. Ladd McConkey has a bright future in this league, but Quentin Johnston is nothing more than a role player, and nobody knows what second-round pick Tre Harris brings to the table. Ja’Lynn Polk may have had an ugly tenure with the Patriots, but head coach Jim Harbaugh is excels at bringing out the best in his players. Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason adding veteran talent in hopes of finally making a deep playoff run. While guys like D.K. Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers offer short-term stability at their respective positions, Pittsburgh must find more young talent. Mike Tomlin has an extensive history of developing wide receivers, so perhaps a change of scenery could bring out the best in Ja’Lynn Polk. New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints have one of the least talented rosters in football, but don’t have the resources to add proven commodities. With this in mind, they might as well take a low-risk, medium-reward move and see if the Patriots will part ways with Ja’Lynn Polk for a conditional pick. Chris Olave’s extensive injury history means he might not play a full season, so somebody must step up for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Baltimore Ravens Do the Baltimore Ravens need another wide receiver? Not at the moment. However, would Jim Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta turn down the opportunity to add a former top-40 pick for next to nothing? Perhaps Ja’Lynn Polk doesn’t work out, but it can’t hurt to bring him in and see what he can do. While Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman are firmly entrenched atop the depth chart, DeAndre Hopkins is near the end of his career, and Polk could compete with him, DeVontez Walker, and Tylan Wallace for one of the final spots on the roster.
Best MLB trades from the last decade: National League
With MLB's trade deadline now behind us, Yardbarker's MLB writers got together this week to identify the best trade each club has made in the last decade (more or less). (Records and stats are entering play on Monday.)
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