Hoops4theSoul

May

13

5-13-1961: A Rebounding Worm Is Born

Filed Under On This Day . . ., Analysis/Commentary, NBA, Chicago Bulls, Loose Balls

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Detroit Pistons Dennis Rodman San Antonio Spurs Dennis Rodman Chicago Bulls Dennis RodmanTurning 48 years old today is Dennis Rodman, arguably the greatest rebounder in NBA history.

Listed at 6′8” but realistically 6′5”, Rodman made studying the flight of the basketball, positioning himself based on where the ball hit the rim, and tipping the ball to himself an absolute art form.

Of course, Rodman’s rebounding prowess came with his unconventional attitudes and controversial behavior.

Maybe more known for his different hair colors, relationship with Madonna, and hard-partying ways, Rodman took his circus act to the Chicago Bulls for three memorable seasons, from 1996-1998.

While there would be suspensions for headbutting a referee and kicking a cameraman, and bizarre incidents such as dressing like a woman during a signing for his book “As Bad As I Wanna Be,” Rodman helped deliver three straight championships to the Bulls.

Whether someone else could have filled this rebounding void for the Bulls during these seasons is up to debate, it’s safe to say that the popularity of Chicago’s second three-peat squads was enhanced by Rodman’s presence.

For all of his oddities, Rodman helped take the Bulls to another level, both on the court and in the public eye.

In Chicago, Rodman found the perfect coach in Phil Jackson and had enough respect for the team’s superstars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to straighten out when things mattered the most.

In Rodman, Chicago found a rebounder it needed and one of the most bizarre athletes in the city’s storied sports history.

With that said, here’s a recap of Rodman’s three seasons as a Bull, capped by a cool video at the end.

1. 1995-1996: After Michael Jordan returned from his retirement in 1995, the Bulls were eliminated in the second round of that year’s playoffs by the Orlando Magic. In that series, former Bull power forward Horace Grant exposed the Bulls’ deficiencies at that position.

Heading into Jordan’s first full year back from retirement, Chicago needed to add a power forward to solidify its front line and hopes of winning a championship. While New York’s Anthony Mason and New Jersey’s Jason Williams were names that were bandied about, the Bulls ultimately acquired Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs. All it took for the Bulls to get Rodman was backup center Will Perdue. Amazingly, the Bulls were reluctant to make the deal when San Antonio asked for Dickey Simpkins as well.

Anyways, the Rodman trade energized the city of Chicago but raised many questions.

Would the former Piston Rodman be able to coexist with his former enemies Pippen and Jordan?

Would Rodman flake out like he had in the previous playoffs against San Antonio and cost the Bulls a championship as he did the Spurs?

How would the Bulls handle Rodman?

Would he be more of a distraction than an asset?

All of these concerns would be put aside as Rodman and the 95-96 Bulls would storm through the league to a record 72-10 regular season, an overall 87-13 record and a fourth championship for the organization.

Of course, there were plenty of highs and lows with Rodman that year. He was suspended 6 games and fined $20,000 for head butting a referee in New Jersey. He once again led the lead in technical fouls. There was that bizarre book signing in New York.

With all that said, Rodman became a sensation in Chicago, both for hard he played when he was on the court and for how much buzz he created in the headlines. Rodmania was especially apparent when his likeness graced a mural on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, causing many drivers to stop their cars and take pictures, or when his face appeared on the side of McDonald’s cups, with Rodman’s hair color changing according to the coolness of the drink.

And when it mattered in the playoffs, Rodman was at this best for the Bulls in 1996. After leading the league in rebounding for the fifth straight season with 14.9 rebounds per game, Rodman averaged 13.7 boards in the 1996 NBA playoffs. Rodman was great in the Eastern Conference Finals against Orlando, basically taking young Magic center Shaquille O’Neal out of his game by getting into his head with his physical play and making Grant a non-factor.

In the 1996 NBA Finals, Rodman went crazy in Games Two and Six at the United Center, grabbing 11 offensive rebounds in both games and helping the Bulls clinch the title on Father’s Day.

All in all, the gamble on Rodman proved to be worth it for Chicago in 1996, a season in which the organization reached a popularity last seen when The Beatles came to America.

2. 1996-1997: While Rodman won his sixth straight rebounding title, averaging 16.7 boards per game (his best year rebounding as a Bull), he was at his worst this season. More of a distraction than a benefit in my opinion, Rodman was suspended on two separate occasions, once for kicking a cameraman in Minnesota.

In the 1997 NBA playoffs, Rodman struggled. In the second round against Atlanta, he seemed to be losing his focus. There was a sight of him sitting on the bench with sunglasses and reading a newspaper at the end of Game Three in that series. Against the Miami Heat in the 1997 Eastern Conference Finals, Rodman and Alonzo Mourning were nearly involved in a fight in Game Four. In the 1997 NBA Finals, Rodman struggled against the size of Karl Malone. He was also fined $50,000 that series for criticizing the people of Utah. Chicago was able to offset Rodman’s ineffectiveness with big man Brian Williams, a late season signing that proved huge.

With all that said, Rodman and the Bulls would repeat as champions, defeating the Jazz in six games during what was the toughest of all of their Finals’ appearances. After Rodman’s performance in 1997, a season in which he only played 55 games, it didn’t look like he would back the following year.

3. 1997-1998: When the Bulls decided to go for one more championship by resigning Jordan and Jackson, Rodman’s status remained a big question mark. Chicago ultimately resigned Rodman late in the preseason, and “The Worm” responded with a strong season.

With Scottie Pippen injured for a good portion of the year, other role players struggling and Chicago starting to show its age, Rodman played in 80 games, once again leading the league in rebounding (a seventh straight time) with exactly 15 boards per game. To Rodman’s credit, he was focused this season and helped the Bulls get through some rough waters.

In the playoffs, Rodman suffered a severely injured thumb. Yet he played on in the 1998 NBA Finals, which proved to be a more effective series for him against Malone. Rodman came up huge in Game Four with late free throws and hit several surprising jumpers late in crucial moments of Games Two and Six. He also seemed to get in Malone’s head by using their upcoming WCW wrestling matches (yep, these guys actually wrestled that summer) as motivation to deter Malone’s focus.

While Jordan carried the Bulls to a series-clinching victory in Game Six with his late game heroics, Chicago got great play out of Rodman during his final year with the organization after a frustrating and disappointing playoffs from him in 1997.

Of course, the Bulls’ run would come to an end with Jordan retiring, Jackson taking a hiatus, and the team starting all over again by trading Pippen to the Houston Rockets.

With those players out of the picture, there was no reason to bring back Rodman, who would go to the Lakers but be released prior to the 1999 playoffs. Rodman would later play with the Mavs for a brief stint before bouncing around in various offbeat basketball leagues.

Whether you liked Rodman and what he brought on and off the court to the Bulls, he was a vital cog on those three final championship teams. His mere presence made the Bulls that much better and more fun to watch beyond the incomparable Jordan, versatile Pippen and Zen-Master Jackson.

Looking back at Rodman’s career, this guy deserves to make the Hall of Fame. He led the league in rebounding seven years, averaged more than 13 rebounds per game througout his 14-year career, and won five championships (two with Detroit’s Bad Boys in 1989 and 1990 and three with the Bulls).

It will be interesting, though, to see if Rodman makes the Hall as his antics with the Spurs, changing hair colors, suspensions, all-night partying, and bad attitude were pure side show material that took away from his achievements and remarkable skill.

Still, when you take into account that Rodman was so successful as a very undersized rebounder and that he was such a versatile defender, it would be an absolute joke if he wasn’t inducted into the Hall of Fame someday.

While the NBA would fear what Rodman had to say during his induction speech, he deserves that opportunity someday.

Here’s hoping that Rodman receives that honor!

In celebration of Rodman’s birthday, here’s a great video looking back at his unique career.

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