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Michael Jordan’s Iconic Teammate Who Was Left in Tears During His Hall of Fame Ceremony, Began His Speech by Apologizing to Scottie Pippen

Published 07/06/2022, 6:30 PM EDT

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Chicago Bulls legend and Michael Jordan’s former teammate Dennis Rodman’s Hall-of-Fame induction was one of the most emotional events in NBA history. The veteran defender broke down immediately after stepping onto the podium. He did compose himself, only to break down again after thanking his former teammate Scottie Pippen.

Dennis Rodman was one of the most dynamic players in the NBA during the 90s. In fact, his distinctive apparel and jewelry made headlines on a daily basis. In other words, his bold fashion statements would often overshadow his contributions on the court.

However, Rodman’s contributions to the Bulls’ second three-peat cannot be ignored. His brilliant rebounding and airtight defense gave Michael Jordan and the Bulls a vital edge in their championship escapades.

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Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen

The first thing Dennis Rodman said after stepping onto the podium for his Hall-of-Fame induction was to former Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen. Rodman seemed embarrassed for breaking down on stage after being introduced by his former coach Phil Jackson of the 2007 class.

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In fact, the first discernible words uttered by Rodman were, “Sorry, Scottie.” Scottie Pippen smiled mildly after hearing Rodman’s words. He seemed to be sympathetic to Rodman’s inability to compose himself.

On the other hand, he felt proud of his former teammate for receiving the honor he deserves. As a result, Pippen let out a smile, signifying a mixture of pride and empathy.

Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen have always had a cordial relationship with each other. Pippen and the two-time Defensive Player of the Year bonded together within the tight ship that Michael Jordan ran.

For sure. I still hang with Dennis. I still enjoy Dennis today,” Pippen admitted in an interview. “And today, we’re friends,” added the 6-time NBA champion.

Michael Jordan and the 90s Bulls

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Michael Jordan often receives all the credit for the Bulls championships. However, the contribution of Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen shouldn’t be ignored under any pretext.

Dennis Rodman has established himself as one of the greatest rebounders of all time. On the other hand, Scottie Pippen left his mark on the court as a brilliant two-way player.

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Watch this Story: Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman, Chris Paul and Other NBA Stars Who Inspired Children By Writing Books For Them

What is your opinion about Rodman’s emotional speech? Comment your thoughts below.

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Written by:

Satagni Sikder

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Satagni Sikder is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He has a Master's degree in English from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, and has been following the NBA since 2017. Moreover, he supports the Dallas Mavericks, and unsurprisingly, Luka Doncic is his favorite player.
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Edited by:

Melroy Fernandes