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Michael Cooper Reveals That Dennis Rodman Included Putting Lipstick On Opponents To His Defensive Strategy

Michael Cooper was one of the best defenders of his time. Being a key member of the Showtime Lakers, Cooper not only won five championships, but was also named to eight NBA All Defensive Teams, as well as the league’s defensive player of the year in 1987. 

Cooper now was guest on the ‘Basketball Time Machine’ podcast and among other things, talked about other great defenders during his time in the league. When talking about Dennis Rodman, he revealed a story I’ve never heard before and that could have been part of Rodman’s mind-game routine. The Worm actually included putting lipstick on opposing players to his defensive strategy:

“The one thing about Dennis, if there was anybody back then in that era, that played all five positions defensively, Dennis was the only one who could do that. He could guard Magic, he could guard shooting guards… his best asset was guarding threes, fours and fives. Dennis was tough and didn’t mind sticking his nose in there and getting it knocked off… or he didn’t mind wearing lipstick, getting a little lipstick on your shoulder. Dennis was just a beast…

…Dennis Rodman was a different kind of individual… I swear, he would dress up. He had lipstick and he didn’t mind putting a little on you…”