feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

Dennis Rodman?s ?antics? off-court never reflected on his on-court performances. The Chicago Bulls legend was flawless on the hardwood till his ‘Last Dance’ with the Bulls in 1998. But after his exit from the NBA, his career prospects seemed to diminish substantially. After a set of bizarre career choices, the NBA legend wanted to return to the league and almost ended up playing with LeBron James in 2003.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

Back in 2013, the Bulls no. 91 had called King James “average.” In other words, Rodman claimed that LeBron James would struggle to compete in his era of basketball in the 90s. However, the Chicago Bulls legend almost ended up in James’ team years before that.

ADVERTISEMENT

Rodman wanted to return to the NBA in 2003, and playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers could have been one way in. Although the choice didn?t excite him at first, it sounded similar to Michael Jordan?s return, convincing him to give it a try.

Dennis Rodman once agreed to a possible return to the NBA with a young LeBron

Dennis Rodman had a pretty successful career. He was indispensable for most of his career, even though people weren?t exactly pleased with his public life. Rodman was so good on the defensive end of the floor that all his behavioral flaws were overshadowed. However, it had to end at some point.

ALSO READ: ?This Is So F***G Awesome?: Dennis Rodman?s Iconic Wedding Dress Received Big Co-sign From 4X Grammy Award-Winning Singer

After exiting the Bulls, the Rebound king had difficulty adjusting his life in any team, even the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran defender decided to move to Mexico and also gave the G-league a try before wanting to return to the NBA.?

His return to the NBA in 2003 was not exactly an easy task, as his managers understood back then. In this 2003 feature, one of the people from his team can be seen discussing with him his potential options. During the conversation, the manager asked him if he?d like to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers led by a young LeBron James.

?I need your[Dennis Rodman] input in some of these teams,” said the member of Rodman’s team to him. He further added, “Cleveland’s a young team and they’ve got LeBron James, I know you don’t want too much babysitting but how do you feel like playing for Cleveland.”

Watch This Story: Dwight Howard joins Scottie Pippen, Allen Iverson, Dennis Rodman, and other stars who have played outside the NBA

Rodman mentioned how he’d not like playing for a losing team. In response, his peer tackled his concern by saying how his comeback would be similar to Michael Jordan‘s stint with the Washington Wizards. He also pointed out that taking a young Cleveland side to the playoffs would do wonders for his reputation, even if he has to come off the bench in the games.

Do you think Rodman could’ve done a good job in Cleveland? Let us know in the comments below.

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Shankha Shuvra Das

522 Articles

Shankha Shuvra Das is an NBA writer whose expertise lies in the intricacies of the league's business side. With a Master's Degree in Economics, he is well-equipped to analyze the complex commercial aspects of the world's third-richest sports league. As a writer at EssentiallySports, Shankha has demonstrated remarkable proficiency, particularly in his coverage of the FTX debacle that implicated several NBA stars. His in-depth analysis and transparent reporting have earned him a reputation for delivering high-quality content that fans and industry professionals alike can trust. Shankha's extensive coverage of Shaquille O'Neal and his various ventures outside of basketball also showcases his ability to provide insight into the business side of sports. His writing is engaging, informative, and always well-researched, making him a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the NBA's commercial landscape. When he's not busy writing, Shankha can be found hitting pads at a kickboxing gym or trying his hand at writing screenplays for movies. This passion for both sports and creative endeavors is reflected in his work, which always showcases a unique perspective and attention to detail. Overall, Shankha is a skilled writer whose transparency and commitment to quality make him a trusted authority on the business of the NBA.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Satagni Sikder

ADVERTISEMENT