No one knew where Dennis Rodman went after making a racist remark about Larry Bird.
Hate mail for Dennis Rodman was flying in. After his Detroit Pistons were defeated by the Boston Celtics in the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, he became irate. Using a racial remark, he vented his emotions on Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, claiming that Bird is only regarded as a great player “because he’s white.” If only people were aware of Rodman’s behind-the-scenes activities.
In the second half of their NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals match at the United Center in Chicago, Dennis Rodman (L) of the Chicago Bulls and Vlade Divac (R) of the Charlotte Hornets get into a tangle with their feet. (AFP via Getty Images; JEFF HAYNES))
One was let by the Detroit Pistons. One of the largest collapses in NBA history might have occurred. With the series deadlocked at two games apiece, the Pistons traveled to play Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. With five seconds remaining, the Pistons held the ball and were ahead by one point, almost grabbing a 3-2 lead.
At that point, the Boston Garden crowd went into a frenzy when Larry Bird stole Isiah Thomas’ inbounds pass and swiftly hit a driving Dennis Johnson, who laid it in for the game-winning basket. As the deflated Pistons left the court, the Celtics took a 3-2 lead.
In Game 6, the Pistons did indeed make a comeback, winning 113-105 to tie the series. In Game 7, the Celtics defeated Detroit 117-114 to advance to the NBA Finals. The Pistons became frustrated knowing they had let one go away.
In 1987, when the Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, Dennis Rodman uttered a racist remark in response to a question on Larry Bird. According to Rodman, Bird was not a god and his status as an MVP was only based on his race, being white. In the 1980s, Bird earned MVP three times in a row.
According to a comment from Rodman in The Orlando Sentinel, “He’s not God.” “In my opinion, he is not the best player in the NBA.” He is Caucasian. It is for this reason that he is awarded MVP. Magic Johnson is never given credit. Not only did he deserve it last year. It doesn’t concern me. Tell him, please. Still, you’ll include it in the paper.
When Dennis Rodman was 22 and Bryne Rich was 13, they first crossed paths. After Bryne mistakenly lost his closest friend in a hunting accident, Rich’s mother, Pat, sent him to a basketball camp. Pat hoped that Bryne would be able to forget about the incident, as he was inconsolable. He got along well with Rodman at camp. Bryne was like a little brother to Rodman. Rodman lived with the Rich family, a white family, for the majority of his time there.
The Rich family was taken aback to learn about Dennis Rodman’s remarks against Larry Bird. According to The Chicago Tribune, Pat Rich remarked, “We stood behind him and supported him all these years, and he would say a thing like that about a white guy.”
“Everyone likes Larry Bird, so I knew he had messed up bad,” Bryne remarked.
Rodman was perceived by most as a racist. The legend of Rodman’s summertime residence with a white family was little known. Nor was Rodman a racist. He felt irritated.
