Dickey Simpkins! 3x NBA Champion shares behind-the scenes stories about Michael Jordan's comeback in 1995, Rodman, and the 90's Bulls Dynasty

In this episode we're thrilled to have three-time NBA champion Dickie Simpkins who takes us behind the scenes of the legendary Chicago Bulls dynasty. Dickie shares incredible firsthand stories about Michael Jordan’s return to basketball, including how MJ secretly practiced with the team for months before his famous “I’m back” announcement. We get an intimate look at what it was like being a rookie drafted by the Bulls in 1994, witnessing the addition of Dennis Rodman to create one of basketball’s most iconic teams, and the surreal experience of traveling with the greatest player in NBA history. From plane emergencies to MJ’s leadership style and even Dickie’s nickname “Trickster,” this episode offers rare insights into the Bulls’ championship years that even die-hard fans haven’t heard before. Join us for this nostalgic basketball conversation that captures a pivotal era in NBA history.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Introduction and welcoming three-time NBA champion Dickie Simpkins


(00:02:11) - Dickie shares his draft day experience and being selected by the Chicago Bulls


(00:07:29) - The first encounter with Michael Jordan and his secret return to practice


(00:16:27) - What it was like seeing MJ practice and the intensity he brought to the team


(00:19:26) - Making room on the roster for Jordan’s return and Dickie’s “sacrifice”


(00:21:02) - MJ’s nickname for Dickie: “Trickster” and their relationship


(00:22:51) - How Jordan’s competitiveness and leadership transformed the team


(00:25:41) - Rookie responsibilities and the basketball MJ punted into the rafters


(00:31:51) - Dennis Rodman joining the Bulls and the team’s transformation


(00:35:37) - Dickie’s rare conversations with Dennis Rodman over three championship seasons


(00:39:02) - The circus-like atmosphere of traveling with the 90s Bulls dynasty


(00:43:35) - Dickie’s college career at Providence and winning the Big East championship


(00:48:29) - Dickie’s “coming out party” in college basketball and Clark Kellogg’s influence


(00:51:08) - The viral “hide your kids, hide your wife” call during a UConn-Marquette game


(00:57:45) - Justin and Dickie’s broadcasting relationship and “BabyGM” nickname


(01:02:05) - Quick take on a recent NBA trade and final thoughts

💡Key Topics:

📌 Michael Jordan’s secret return to the Bulls in 1994-95 and how the team kept it under wraps


📌 The transformation of the Chicago Bulls with the addition of Dennis Rodman to create the second three-peat dynasty


📌 Behind-the-scenes stories of traveling with the 90s Bulls and the celebrity treatment


📌 Dickie’s journey from Providence College to becoming an NBA champion


📌 The broadcasting partnership between Justin and Dickie and their memorable on-air moments

🏀 About Dickie Simpkins:

Dickie Simpkins is a three-time NBA champion who played with the Chicago Bulls during their second three-peat (1996-1998) alongside Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. Before his NBA career, he was a standout at Providence College where he won a Big East Tournament championship in 1994 before being selected 21st overall in the NBA Draft.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports and beyond. As veteran broadcasters, Justin brings unfiltered discussions with legendary coaches, professional athletes, and influential figures who share their remarkable journeys and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

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