'Whenever I became agitated, Dennis became hyperactive' - Phil Jackson revealed one habit Dennis Rodman made him change as coach

Phil Jackson was known for his calm demeanor on the basketball court., given that he rarely showed his emotions during games. However, like any other NBA head coach, Jackson also had the habit of pacing along the sidelines when he was upset with something.

But going into the 1995-96 season, Jackson revealed coaching Dennis Rodman made him stop doing that.

"That year, I stopped pacing along the sidelines during games because I noticed that whenever I got agitated, Dennis would become hyperactive," said Jackson. "And if I argued with a ref, it would only give him license to do the same."

"The Worm" had 212 career technical fouls

Rodman was one of the best rebounders the game has ever seen. He was also a tenacious defender who won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice and was a seven-time All-Defensive first team member.

That said, Dennis was also one of the game's biggest instigators. He knew how to get on his opponents' nerves of opposing players, which resulted in arguments and even on-court fights.

Rodman's 212 career technical fouls are the fifth most by any player in NBA history, with only Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Rasheed Wallace, and Gary Payton getting called for more. So, if he were going to help the Bulls that season, his brushes with the refs would have to be minimized.

Dennis was off to a notorious start

Phil's worries must have compounded after Rodman's technical fouls-filled preseason with the Bulls.

"Over the eight preseason games, Dennis received five technical fouls," Scottie Pippen wrote in his book "Unguarded." "I repeat: preseason. What was going to happen when the games started counting for real? Everyone was watching him, waiting for the slightest sign of trouble. And he knew it."

Scottie added that "as the days wore on," he was surprised to see "how reserved" Rodman was. Maybe that was the time when Phil stopped pacing along the sidelines.

Regardless, getting into less trouble meant having a more effective Dennis on the court. As a result, the legendary forward became a key contributor for the Bulls, who reclaimed the NBA championship after the Houston Rockets won two straight during Michael Jordan's baseball stint.