Loading ...
7.3 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 1.8 APG, 52 FG%, 58 FT%
“Dennis Rodman developed from a janitor who had never played organized basketball into arguably the best rebounding forward in NBA history and one of the most recognized athletes in the world. Enigmatic and individualistic, Rodman caught the public eye for his ever-changing hair color, tattoos and unorthodox lifestyle. Rodman’s achievements on the court are indisputable. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a member of two championship Pistons teams in Detroit and three title-winning Bulls teams in Chicago, he led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive years despite standing only 6-8. Rodman was one of the few players in the history of the game who could change the course of a game without taking a shot.
After an unremarkable rookie season, Rodman began making his presence felt. On the 1987-88 Pistons he averaged a career-best 11.6 points along with 8.7 rebounds. That team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Detroit won the NBA Championship the next two seasons, and Rodman was a prime reason for the club’s success. The sixth man in 1988-89 on a team known for its physical play, he led the NBA in field goal percentage at .595, averaged 9.4 rebounds, and was runner-up for both the Defensive Player of the Year Award and the Sixth Man Award.
In the Pistons’ second title year he earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, made the All-Star Team, and averaged 9.7 rebounds. With Rodman as a starter for the final 43 games of the season, Detroit went 39-4. The NBA Defensive Player of the Year for a second consecutive season in 1990-91, Rodman finished second in the NBA in rebounding at 12.5 boards per game. Up to that point Rodman had established himself as an excellent rebounder, but in 1991-92 he broke the mold and became a legend. Playing more than 40 minutes per game, Rodman averaged 18.7 rebounds, the highest mark since Wilt Chamberlain had averaged 19.2 boards 20 years earlier.” [Read]
[Note: RSS readers, there is a video within this blog]
[Sources: NBA.com, YouTube, Basketball-reference.com]
July 24th, 2008 at 10:42 am
The Worm!!!
July 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Hoffman, I can’t argue with the stats. And yes, Rodman was a big piece of the Bad Boys puzzle to win two titles. So, I’ve decided to amend the all-time team for the Pistons. Rodman can shift to PF, Yardley has the backup SF to himself, and Sheed is gone. Also, he and Laimbeer can share the starting PF position, because while I see your point on Worm, Lamb should also be featured. Thanks for the link, and don’t forget to see the list resume with a double-header; the Wizards and Blazers!
July 26th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Rodman, as crazy as he was towards the end, was one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the NBA.