Dennis Rodman is undoubtedly one of the most unique basketball players (and humans) of all time. Yet despite his eccentricities, he's also one of the most accomplished.
After being drafted out of Southeastern Oklahoma State in the second round by the Detroit Pistons in 1986, The Worm played 14 NBA seasons, won five titles, made two All-NBA and All-Star teams, eight All-Defensive teams, won Defensive Player of the Year twice, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Let's revisit some of Dennis Rodman's greatest NBA moments.
1989 NBA Finals, Game 3
Dennis Rodman spent his first two and a half seasons as a valuable reserve for Detroit, and his increased role coincided with the team's rise through the Eastern Conference ranks. The Bad Boys cracked through in 1989, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. In Game 3, Rodman posted 12 points and 19 rebounds off the bench in a 104-100 road win that put the series away:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVS5KSJ5Mdg
Wins 1989-90 Defensive Player of the Year
Dennis Rodman's breakout campaign came in 1989-90 after the team lost Rick Mahorn via the expansion draft. Rodman transitioned into a full-time menace — he put up 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, shot 58.1% from the field, and earned the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award despite starting 43 games. Detroit won its second straight championship.
1991-92 Rebounding Title
Dennis Rodman's second season as a full-time starter was his most individually prolific. He pulled down a career-high 18.7 boards per game — still the best figure for a post-1972 season (followed by his 18.3 RPG in 1993). On March 4, 1992, Rodman set a career high with 34 rebounds vs. the Indiana Pacers. He won the first of seven consecutive rebounding titles and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team.
Triple-Double in 1996
Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause took a gamble by acquiring Dennis Rodman after a productive but volatile stint with the San Antonio Spurs. The move quickly paid dividends. Rodman fit seamlessly alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, helping lead the Bulls to a then-record 72 wins.
Rodman's value was on full display in a Jan. 16 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He notched 10 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists for his first career triple-double:
1996 NBA Finals
Dennis Rodman drew the assignment of the Seattle SuperSonics' Shawn Kemp in the 1996 Finals. Kemp had his moments, but Rodman arguably won the matchup. He snagged 20 rebounds (11 offensive) in Game 2, then added 19 more (plus five clutch points) in Game 6 to seal his first ring with Chicago. Sonics head coach George Karl acknowledged that Rodman “won two basketball games” in the series:
1998 NBA Finals vs. Karl Malone
At 37, Dennis Rodman had one more great defensive series in the tank. Malone went off for 39 points in Game 5, but was otherwise held in check. Malone shot 14-of-41 from the field over the first two games in Utah and failed to eclipse 22 points in any of the series' first four games:
Rodman and Malone built up quite the rivalry over time, but it was The Worm who got the last laugh in two straight Finals.
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