After receiving an honorary doctor of letters degree from his alma mater, University of North Dakota, Lakers coach Phil Jackson touched upon a range of subjects from the school’s nickname to the greatest athlete he has ever coached.
And it wasn’t Michael Jordan.
Or Kobe Bryant.
Or Shaquille O’Neal.
Not Karl Malone, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, Bill Cartwright or Smush Parker (OK, so he might not belong).
No, the player Jackson called the greatest that he has coached is that wedding dress aficionado and Newport Beach police’s favorite basketball bad boy, Dennis Rodman.
That’s right. No need to rub your eyes.
“He could probably play a 48-minute game and play the 48th minute stronger than the first minute of the game,” Jackson told the crowd at UND. “He was that terrific an athlete.”
Jackson credited Madonna for helping Rodman overcome his “shy” personality.
“Madonna saw what was in there and wanted him . . . to do what she does: be outrageous, and kind of talked him into opening up his character,” Jackson said. “And Dennis didn’t know how many ways he could open up his character.”
Check out this amazingly strange slide show of Rodman’s career.
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i share the same sentiment as Coach Jackson has. He, for me, is the epitome of a basketball player. . .
The Worm’s the best that ever was. Hope he makes it into the Hall of Fame … and can’t wait to see how he shows up to accept it.
Dennis lived across the street from me for 5 years on Seashore Dr in Newport Beach. Not only is he an extraordinary athlete, he is also, in spite of all the generated publicity, one of the finest of gentlemen I have ever had the pleasure to know.
He has been my idol eversince he started playing for the pistons. HE STILL IS! The Hall of Fame Needs HIM!