The third episode of ESPN's Chicago Bulls documentary, entitled “The Last Dance,” spotlighted former Bulls forward Dennis Rodman.

While Rodman had established himself as one of the best rebounders and defensive players in the NBA by the early 1990s, he had also developed a rather controversial persona.

But Bulls management–having lost former power forward Horace Grant–thought bringing Rodman in to pair with Scottie Pippen and the recently returned Michael Jordan could reinvigorate the team's contending status.

In fact, it was the sheer notion of playing alongside someone as competitive as Jordan and as measured as Pippen that convinced Bulls GM Jerry Krause to acquire Rodman.

Golden State Warriors head coach and former Bulls guard Steve Kerr said the combination of Jordan, Pippen and head coach Phil Jackson provided a “strong foundation,” and Rodman would not dare mess with the team's chemistry (via Mac Engel of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram):

It can work When the Chicago Bulls were in the midst of winning six NBA titles during the ’90s, they brought in one of the biggest of migraines/freak shows in sports. The marriage of Dennis Rodman and the Bulls wasn’t given any longer than Britney Spears’ first marriage, yet the relationship prospered peacefully.

Michael Jordan had something to do with that. So did Phil Jackson.

“From his perspective, Michael, Scottie [Pippen] and Phil were such a strong foundation he couldn’t do anything,” former Bulls guard Steve Kerr said. “He wouldn’t mess with the chemistry.”

Rodman became a crucial component of Chicago's second three-peat.

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While “The Last Dance” has made it very evident Rodman was starting to unravel during the 1997-98 season, it has also pointed out Jordan and Jackson's understanding of his needs and eccentric character.

All of these factors helped the Bulls cap off one of the best dynasties in NBA history with their sixth title in eight years at the end of that '98 season.