As Michael Jordan earned six titles, it was not just Scottie Pippen who had his back.
NBA champion Gary Payton II said that Dennis Rodman was one of the main contributors to the last three championships of the Chicago Bulls after showing tremendous efforts on their defensive and rebounding inside the paint.
“I think he’s probably one of the best rebounders besides Wilt Chamberlain,” Gary Payton II said on Jaxxon Podcast. “He was just grabbing 25 a night, so it was just different. He can see the ball where it gonna hit, it was just different.”
The 32-year-old wing defender has discussed that Jordan’s last three titles would be uncertain without this type of teammates on the floor.
“For sure, it was Scottie. Everybody played their role, like Steve played his role. I believe without Scottie and Dennis, like I don’t think he [Jordan] would have been able to get six of them.”
Payton believes the real basketball fans knew that it was a total team effort when Jordan earned those six rings.
“Real knows real. If you’re actually a basketball person, you know what those type of guys bring to your team, and what they bring and contribute to championship teams.”
Steve Kerr on GP II as Steph Curry earned his fourth title
These role players, like Payton and Rodman, have significantly contributed to the legacy of Hall of Famers who earned many titles over the years.
Warriors head tactician Kerr gave credit to what Payton can do on the hardcourt with the system, especially how he helped his teammates provide better offensive and defensive sets.
“We don’t win that championship in (2022) without Gary,” Kerr said via NBC Sports. “He’s a big-time player, playoff performer, two-way player. Understands how to play with Steph probably as well as anybody on our team. He’s basically a power forward on offense and a point guard on defense. Very unique player.”
Payton averaged 6.5 points, 3 boards, 1.3 assists, and shot 57.4 percent from the field with a defensive role on the team.
He had won his first NBA title in 2022 with the Golden State Warriors. He is also the son of Hall of Famer Gary Payton.
