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

Craziest son of a b**** he has ever coached too.

 

Yeah, I think he misunderstood the original question.

 

"the greatest athlete" or 'one of the greatest athlete'

vs

"the greatest basketballer"

Jordan era was definitely connected with Phil Jackson's honorable journey into self et becoming of 'The Zen'.

 

I can't actually argue a whole lot with his choice. Rodman was a monster on the boards. And while he was completely crazy, he was also incredibly gifted athletically, which is why he was able to out-hustle and out-muscle people for position in the lane.

If he'd just worked as hard on his offensive game, Rodman might be remembered as one of the best ever.

 

He was 6'7 and probably the most dominant rebounder in NBA history, in an era when almost all his peers at his position were bigger than him. He certainly has to be under consideration for greatest athlete.

 

*cough* Barkley *cough*

 

You're the keyword!!

 

Rodman was a great hustler and a great rebounder, but that doesnt make him the greatest athlete, especially not the greatest that has played for Phil.

I really hope you're joking

 

yep, I know this: Malone couldn't do sheet in the final series when Rodman there

 

Great defender; didn't try on offense, but it also takes offensive talent and for all his athleticism, he never had great offensive talent.

 

I don't know long you've been watching basketball, but rodman was a great athelete. To do what he did and to be as strong as he was at his size was crazy. Ala Abanathy who used to play for the blazer said Rodman played 42 mins against them, then got on the stationary and rode 10 miles after the game. Forgot to mention he lifted weights and did stationary bike for a hr before the game. All of that and we don't even get into the night life. Rodman was a great athelete.

 

PJAX did not say Rodman was the best basketball player. He simply said Rodman was probably the greatest athlete. I can see why. Rodman was a physical specimen. The guy was ripped, always won the mile contest in training camp. He was very quick, agile and in amazing shape. All the while barely keeping his head on straight.

 

Rodman was a beast. In addition to dominating the boards, he could guard almost anyone you stuck him on. Hell of an athlete.

 

I'm really surprised he didn't go with Pippen. He was a freakishly gifted athlete before his back went out.

 

First, Rodman is not crazy. He is just a mean weirdo who craves attention.

Second, if you take Phil's words literally, it is of course plain wrong. But I am pretty sure his intention was not being accurate but being interesting. Rodman is the greatest athlete he's ever coached? What is Michael Jordan? Rodman is the most amazing physical specimen? What is Shaq? I guess it all depends on how you define being an "athlete." You can call a lot of people the "greatest athlete" if you define it narrowly enough for your purpose.

 

As a physical specimen, you could certainly argue that Rodman was more amazing than Shaq. I mean, we can make the physical comparison between Wilt and Shaq. Rodman seems much more unique to me.

 

to party the night before games and still be able to perform the way he did is pretty remarkable.. if he wasn't so nutty he could've played a couple more years