Dennis Rodman has informed the public that he will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. It is a well deserved honor for a player who emerged as a key member on five teams that won NBA titles after making the NBA as a second round pick from tiny Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
"The Worm" was one of my basketball idols as a young player because like Rodman, I was an undersized forward with an inconsistent jump shot who earned playing time by rebounding and playing defense. Despite the fact that Rodman's skills helped to end the dominance of the Larry Bird and the Celtics, Rodman was always one of my favorite players because he embraced the talents that he possessed and never pretended to be a scorer.
Rodman's defense and rebounding helped the Pistons win titles in 1989 and 1990 before teaming up with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to win three more championships from 1996-1998. He was a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1990 and 1991) and a two-time NBA All-Star (1990 and 1992). Rodman was also a member of the NBA All-Defensive team eight times (1989-1996) and was an All-NBA 3rd Team performer two times (1992 and 1995).
The Hall of Fame recognition should cement Rodman's legacy as a basketball star instead of the pop culture icon that he became in the 1990's when his legendary partying, multiple hair colors, dozens of piercings and tattoos, choice of clothes (wedding dresses were not out of the question), girlfriends (Madonna and Carmen Electra spent considerable time with Rodman) and professional wrestling career began to overshadow his contributions on the basketball court. The man was a defensive force who led the NBA in rebounding for seven straight years from 1992-1998 and was only 6-7 and 215 pounds. Whatever he did off the court to earn attention could not compare to his exploits in the NBA.
Congratulations Worm.
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