Scottie Pippen admitted that Dennis Rodman inspired him: 'I realized I didn't have to be at a big-time school to get drafted'

Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman had a colorful relationship in the NBA. First, they were bitter rivals when Rodman starred for the Detroit Pistons' back-to-back title teams and Pippen was part of the up-and-coming Chicago Bulls team. Later, Dennis ended up joining the Bulls and, along with Scottie, helped Michael Jordan win his second three-peat.

But long before they crossed paths in the NBA, Pippen already knew about Rodman. In fact, Pip admitted in his 2021 book 'Unguarded' that "The Worm" was his inspiration to pursue his NBA dreams.

"The first time I heard his name was during my junior year at Central Arkansas," wrote Pippen. "He gave me hope. I realized I didn't have to be at a big-time school to get drafted by the NBA."

The Pistons plucked Rodman from an NAIA school

Scottie played college ball at the University of Central Arkansas. Because UCA is an NAIA School, Pippen's games did not get much media coverage because the press and TV networks are focused on the more prestigious NCAA.

Because of that, Pip thought his chances of getting to the NBA were difficult because nobody knew how good he was. However, during his third year in school, the Pistons selected Rodman, a product of another NAIA school, with the 27th overall pick of the 1986 NBA Draft.

"As long as one possessed the talent and dedication, the dream was still possible," added Scottie. "Dennis Rodman, whose unlikely journey took him from a poor neighborhood in Dallas, Texas to Southeastern Oklahoma State, to the Basketball Hall of Fame, had an abundance of both."

Scottie continued to admire Rodman in the NBA

One year after Dennis made the NBA, Scottie entered the NBA Draft and was picked 5th overall by the Chicago Bulls. Because the Bulls played in the same division as the Pistons, Pippen got to play Rodman 5,6 times a season. And even when Detroit owned Chicago in the early years of their rivalry, Pip continued to admire Rodman's defense and rebounding.

"He knew where the ball was headed the moment it left the shooter's hands and was able to wrestle rebounds away from players five inches taller and 50 pounds heavier," continued Pip. "That didn't happen by accident. He studied the tendencies of his opponents and teammates, planting himself in perfect rebounding positioning even before guys got into shooting mode. Dennis possessed an unbelievable basketball IQ. He could have a tremendous impact on a game without scoring a single point. How many players can you say that about?"

Not many, but Pippen could. While he did not win the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award, he became known as one of the best two-way players the game has ever seen while earning eight straight nods to the NBA All-Defensive first team and two NBA All-Defensive second team selections in 1991 and 2000.