In light of the premiere of the first two episodes of “The Last Dance,” Dennis Rodman gave his take on the state of the NBA following Michael Jordan's first retirement from the Chicago Bulls. The Worm called Scottie Pippen “the best player in the world” after Jordan first hung them up in 1993.

Rodman noted Pippen was unappreciated, though he didn't offer much about his thoughts on the tension between him and the Bulls:

“If you notice about Scottie Pippen, when Michael Jordan left in '93, '94, '95 — Scottie Pippen was the best player in the world,” said Rodman during a Monday guest appearance on ESPN. “If people didn't know that — he led the team in every category. Every category.”

“Scottie got his wings in 1991 when they beat the Detroit Pistons. He got his wings then, and he started on that tram from winning three championships. When Michael left, Scottie took over and next thing you know he was the best player in the world. People don't know that.”

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Pippen averaged a career-high 22.0 points per game for the Bulls the season after Jordan hung them up, coupled with 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game, which was second-best in the league.

Rodman's recollection is slightly incorrect. Pippen led the Bulls in scoring, assists, and steals, but Horace Grant led the team in rebounds (11.0) and blocks per game (1.2).

There was also a man by the name of Hakeem Olajuwon who won MVP in 1993-94 along with a title that season, only to repeat as champion in 1994-95. Jordan would eventually regain his reign upon returning for his first full season in 1995-96, winning MVP honors then and once again in 1997-98, which would mark his last with the Bulls.

Pippen was surely the leader of the Bulls upon Jordan's absence, and his improved play helped Jordan in a more challenging second three-peat. But Rodman might be speaking out of endearment with this far reach of calling him the best player in the world.