When we started this Hall of Fame Watch series, the idea was to look at active NBA stars and see who had the credentials necessary to reach basketball immortality. Naturally, the list of active players with arguable resumes can’t go on forever. Looking at the guys we haven’t covered yet, are any of them — Josh Howard, Antoine Walker, Carlos Boozer, Joe Johnson, Michael Finley, Peja Stojakovic, etc. — really legit candidates? So now we’re going in another direction: looking at the retired players who either haven’t been voted in or aren’t yet eligible for induction. Today’s candidate: Dennis Rodman.
DENNIS RODMAN (14 seasons, Pistons/Spurs/Bulls/Lakers/Mavs)
7.3 points, 13.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks per game
Why: After Chamberlain and Russell, pound-for-pound, Rodman is arguably the greatest rebounder in the history of the game, as well as one of the best defenders of all-time. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Star, “The Worm” led the League in rebounding seven times (in consecutive seasons from ‘92 to ‘98) and in ‘91 finished second. Overall, Rodman ranks 19th in NBA history in total rebounds and 4th all-time in offensive rebounds, and all this despite being relatively undersized (6-8, 210) for his position. He was also named to seven All-Defensive Teams, known for causing headaches for everyone from Magic Johnson to Larry Bird to Karl Malone to Scottie Pippen to Shaq to Michael Jordan when given the assignment to guard them. Oh, and Rodman won five NBA championships; two with Detroit and three with Chicago.
Why not: Not much of an offensive threat in the NBA (despite averaging 25 points a night in college), Rodman could be seen as a one-trick pony. But if anything keeps him out of the Hall, it would be The Worm’s off-court lifestyle and on-court antics. He often existed somewhere between being simply a clownish figure to an all-out embarrassment for the NBA and sports in general.
Our call: IN
The H.O.F. Watch archive
12/10 - Mitch Richmond
12/7 - Rasheed Wallace
12/6 - Michael Redd
12/5 - “Too Early”
12/3 - Bruce Bowen
11/30 - Dikembe Mutombo
11/29 - Ron Artest
11/28 - Pau Gasol
11/27 - Kevin Garnett
11/26 - Manu Ginobili
11/21 - Amare Stoudemire
11/20 - Rip Hamilton
11/19 - Baron Davis
11/16 - Shaquille O’Neal
11/15 - Steve Francis
11/14 - Ben Wallace
11/13 - Sam Cassell
11/12 - LeBron James
11/9 - Tim Duncan
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
December 17th, 2007 at 11:37 am
rasheed says:
definitely in!!! sensational rebounder and one of the toughest match ups ever
December 17th, 2007 at 11:59 am
K-Dizzle says:
no doubt about it, the best pound for pound defender and rebounder the league has ever seen.
Take that, Bruce Bowen lol
December 17th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Myrie says:
EASILY!!
One of my favorite players of all time. Also, one of the best basketball minds ever for the game; seriously. Rodman also set new standards in appearance.
Players can wear any hairstyle because Rodman made it OK. Players can sport tattoos because Rodman helped make it OK.
And I think….Rodman has the highest winning percentage of any individual in the history of the league (yup…more than Bill Russell).
No doubt he is in. Just for slaying Madonna and Carmen Electra….Who needs 5 rings when you get them “trophies”. WORM is in.
December 17th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Celts Fan says:
The first line or two makes this an easy case, “After Chamberlain and Russell, pound-for-pound, Rodman is arguably the greatest rebounder in the history of the game, as well as one of the best defenders of all-time. A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Star, “The Worm” led the League in rebounding seven times (in consecutive seasons from ‘92 to ‘98) and in ‘91 finished second.” Add the 5 rings to that and the only reason for a no is off-court issues which shouldn’t be taken into account (it’s not like he killed a guy or started a riot or anything.)
IN
December 17th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
shaun says:
I loved watching the guy play, he was acutely aware of the ball, the refs, the clock, the game,… his “intangibles” contributions were of the chart. his outlet passes were as phenomenal as his D and rebounding…
December 17th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
dagwaller says:
I want him in for sure, and I’m pretty sure that he’ll get it. I don’t even know about TOO many off court problems - they were just lifestyle things that don’t affect basketball or really even the quality of his character.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Alex "Robocop" Murphy says:
IN.
Just watch him in the 96′ series against Seattle. He broke records with offensive rebounds.
I really would have liked to see him work it out in San Antonio with The Admiral, the General, Sean elliot and Vinny Del Negro, but they were missing out of shooters and guard play.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
QUARKS says:
chamberlain and russell are shit, fuck them, rodman gets 100 rebounds a game in their era, overrated, rodman is the greatest, fuck chamberlain and russell, no shit on rodman, best ever FUCK YES GO BULLS
December 17th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
girlybballluver says:
How disrespectful was that comment?
Rodman’s IN. The fact that he liked to wear wedding dresses in public shouldn’t hurt his chances too much. His skills on the court should be able to outweigh his off the court antics.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
bron42 aka Global4Areason says:
ya, props to any dude who marries himself
December 17th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
The Madhatter says:
Refreshing to see enough common sense, the Worm debate needs to be settled by the fans, the Hall could easily pass him by unless enough people speak up as to how they viewed his legacy.
Hands down, one my all-time favorite players and this stems back to the Bad Boys days. As passionate as ever to have played, reset standards of effort and constitution on and off the court, and earned the most significant label in the game - Winner.
In for sure.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Gee ... huh? says:
In.
I love the classic battles with him and Zo. I always wanted Zo to just go ahead and punch dude in the grill.
He is in though. Freakin weirdo. LOL
December 17th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
He’s a lock if the League can get past the foolishness.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Karl Malone says:
That time in the Finals where he kept making me trip over his feet, and I kept falling every time I got up…that was embarassing. I hate him for that.
But the time he convinced me to wrestle him on national television, that was worse. To this day, my children have no respect for me. I say OUT.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
E $ says:
lmao at Karl Malone’s comment =)
December 17th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Dave says:
IN, no doubt. The off the court antics really shouldn’t even enter into consideration. He was a once-in-a-lifetime talent. Who can you point to that even approaches his level of combined ability and outrageousness? Who can even come close to getting into an opponent’s head like he did? Somebody already mentioned Zo, but what he did to Frank Brickowski (I think) during the Finals against Seattle was just evil.
December 17th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
LOL @ “Karl Malone”…good stuff…
I wonder if Rodman would’ve gonnen into Chamberlain and Russell’s heads like he did with everyone else…Chamberlain would have definitely been like “Get this fruit cake off me…I gets WOMEN, ya dig?!”
December 17th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
I meant “gotten”, not “gonnen”…
December 17th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Sacto J says:
With all the rebounding and defensive team accolades, 1 stat has been nearly ignored. Rodman will always hold the league record for most headspace invaded. Dude could alter a player’s whole game and the ball not even left the ref’s hands for the tip-off. By far the most jaw jacking player ever, if only for his effectiveness (Sam, Gary, they wish they had Rodaman’s gift.) Shouldn’t Rodman already be in? What the hell HOF? The people have spoken!
December 17th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
smity says:
i know i’m late-
one of the greatest players ever.and well deserving of the hall.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:42 am
the_don_mega says:
WORM is in…
one of the greates basketball minds ever…
also luvd those NIKE way-ups he wore back then…
oh, and that guy QUARK needs to suck his own balls for dissin’ Wilt and Bill Russell…
December 18th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Doc says:
hell yes
December 18th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
roDMAN says:
no WAY, hE IS A JUNK, OUt!
December 18th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Nor says:
YES!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
monster ultimate says:
IN!
His on court antics never included violence against other players and his off court antics never included drugs and what nots. a genius on the court and a bizare character off it. and thats sports entertainment for you!
December 18th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
genuine_leo says:
there shouldn’t be any doubt..dude was a beast on the court. people can talk about numbers and such, but numbers fade away in time as records get broken. but what is important is the legacy that he left (on the court). Players wanted te Worm on their squad. He is a proven winner, a great team player (when he has teammates that wanted to win, and not just for numbers i.e. D Robinson). also, i believe that this coming ballot is Rodman’s first year to be eigible for the Hall. He should be a first time shoe-in for the Hall of Fame. And,if he is not, then the politics are getting in the way.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
genuine_leo says:
also, look at all these comments that other cat’s left. the people have spoken!
December 19th, 2007 at 12:41 am
kupslavin says:
absolute no-brainer for me. one of the best, if not the best, rebounder in the history of the game. also, a very good student of the game, just watch how he anticipates opponents’ & teammates’ tendencies/shots, that’s how he gets those rebounds despite his height. just leave his off-court & personal antics where it should be- outside of this discussion.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:08 am
Robert says:
Certainly! Rodman’s versatility is underrated. He is a real menace to shooting guards and forwards on the defensive end. Equally underrated is his basketball IQ. He seemed always to know exactly where to position himself within the intricacies of the triangle offense.
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Ian says:
lol on the chamberlain comment ya dig
i hated him on the spurs
but it wasnt his fault nor robinsons the team needed a sg guard badly
hes INNNNNNNN