Phil Jackson: Rodman is the greatest athlete I've ever coached

I'm not. Jackson called him the "greatest athlete" he's ever coached. I interpret that to mean the most gifted athletically, and you can make a strong case for Rodman. He was quick, strong, had great ball instincts, hustled like no one else. The only other two people who might be considered are Pippen and MJ. Strong cases could be made for all of them, though I think Pippen finishes a distant 3rd.

Personally, I can't stand the guy. But if Rodman had a consistent 20+ PPG, he'd be in the discussion for one of the best ever.

 

Anybody that can party like a rockstar in Vegas the night/early morning before a playoff game and fly to Salt Lake to make it not only in time for the game but perform at a high level (still drunk/hungover) is pretty incredible.

 

lol

 

Again, it depends on how you define it. Rodman is a lot smaller than Shaq. Is he stronger than Shaq? No. But he is stronger than many people bigger than him. Is Shaq quicker than Rodman? No. But Shaq is quicker than many people smaller than him. So, is it more amazing to be stronger than people who are bigger than you, or to be quicker than people who are smaller than you?

BTW, I have argue in another time that being able to get off your shot quickly AND accurately is an amazing physical ability not many people have. Rodman certainly has never shown he has that ability.

 

Nobody else has ever tried.

 

I mean it's not the name you'd think, but that's what Phil Jackson's known for.

Then again, the question was greatest 'athlete'. Unless the person asked the question wrong, or Phil Jackson took it too literally (or was just being himself, in that case), I don't see why Rodman couldn't be a legit answer. It's not the best basketball player, it's best athlete. Rodman seemed like the kind of guy who could excel in any sport or athletic competition he took place in.

He was an amazing rebounder, and that too, at his height. There's something more than just rebounding talent there. It's the raw *ability* to go out there and take boards from all the bigger guys (who are professional athletes, too).

It really does depend, like Easy says, on how you define athlete. I personally consider an 'athlete' as someone who can play any sport, or take place in any athletic competition. I can't see Shaq running marathons or climbing rocks, or doing endless laps in a swimming pool. I can, however, see Rodman doing those things. (Who knows, maybe Shaq can, I dont' know, just saying). LeBron seems like that kind of guy. Allen Iverson seems like that kind of guy. Kobe and MJ seem like those kind of guys. Phil Jackson has coached both MJ and Kobe, he's coached Shaq and Pippen, yet he chose Rodman.

Phil Jackson gave his example. He said he's someone who could play all 48 minutes and play the 48th minute harder than the 1st. I would probably say there are others he has coached who could probably do that, (Kobe, Jordan) but if that's his example, I'd say it works.

Whatever. It could be Phil Jackson just stirring stuff up.

 

I like Rodman but Phil Jackson has got to be drunk when he answered the question.
Rodman is a great athlete. He can fall down on the other end of the court but still be the first guy to reach another end of the court. That doesn't mean he is the greatest. A lot players are better than Rodman. Example, Lebron James's steroids type body build and athleticism.

By the way, Rodman is acting crazy whereas Ron Ron is a real nut case!

 

But Phil Jackson hasn't coached LeBron James. Phil Jackson said he's the greatest athlete he has ever coached. The first thing that would shoot into your mind is Michael Jordan, then Shaq/Kobe side-by-side (in my opinion). But, there's no doubting Rodman is an amazing athlete. The best Phil Jackson ever coached? Well, Phil Jackson thinks so.

 

I know Phil Jackson said,"....that I have ever coached" But right know my vote would have to go to Lebron. Probably the greatest athlete ever.The way he was dogged in that 1st round series vs the Wizards and still would not be stopped...wow, thats a tough SOB

 

Wow great minds think alike

 

Ooopppsss totally missed the "ever coached" part

 

That's because he never coached Dream.