"I couldn't forgive them"- Dennis Rodman had to be driven around by Michelle Moyer after turning to alcohol when Pistons got rid of Chuck Daly
Back in Dennis Rodman's early playing days, he was a part of the infamous "Bad Boy Pistons" where he built a reputation as one of the best defensive players in the league at the time. Despite his enigmatic looks and notorious personality, underneath, he was a genuinely kind-hearted person who established healthy relationships with the Detroit Pistons organization.
Dennis Rodman became particularly close to his coach, Chuck Daly, who became somewhat of a father figure to the defensive player. Rodman shared on multiple occasions that it was Daly who helped shape him into the player he became. However, sometime in 1992, the Pistons organization forced Daly out of the team, which resulted in Dennis' dramatic rebellion.
"It was like they got rid of my dad," Rodman said after Chuck Daly was fired. "I couldn't forgive them."
Due to Daly's departure from Detroit, Dennis Rodman transformed into the man every basketball fan knows him as today. He turned to alcohol and hooked himself up with other vices.
Rodman's mother, Shirley, even stated that Dennis was disgusted by alcohol before Chuck left the Pistons. His ex-wife, Michelle Moyer, would even drive him around for being too intoxicated.
Dennis Rodman's drastic transformation
Come the 1992-93 season, Dennis Rodman grew depressed due to Chuck Daly's departure from the Detroit Pistons. Then there was also the fact that he was dealing with a custody battle with his ex-wife at the time, which made his mental health problems even worse. In February 1993, Rodman reportedly attempted suicide but decided not to push through. Instead, he decided to kill his old self.
The Pistons traded Dennis to the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason, wherein we'd see "The Worm" transform into "Dennis the Menace". While Rodman continued to be dominant inside the paint as a defender in the NBA, he also consistently went on drinking sprees and was often found drunk.
Nevertheless, Dennis is one of the most respected bad boys in sports history.