Tuesday, April 5, 2011

A Tribute to the Worm: A look at Dennis Rodman's Hall of Fame Career

Here at the RFH Collective, few things are valued higher (sealing the edge?) than suffocating defense and glass eating. Coincidentally, the recent Hall of Fame induction of Dennis Rodman brings these issues to the forefront. How dominant was Rodman in these categories? Lets take a look at the different stages of Rodman's career.

Decade of Rebounding Dominance


   Rodman                        Moses Malone 
                             Season               RPG                 Season              RPG                                             
90’
12.5
77’
15
91’
18.7
78’
17.6
92’
18.3
79’
14.5
93’
17.3
80’
14.8
94’
16.8
81’
14.7
95’
14.9
82’
15.3
96’
16.1
83’
13.4
97’
15
84’
13.1

Moses Malone was the NBA's dominant rebounder in the Pre-Rodman era. Well as you can see, his successor took the role of holding the Rebounding Championship Belt even more seriously. Jaw dropping rebounding numbers that don't need further description.



Rodman the Piston


Did Anyone Score in Practice?
Coming from a school like Southeastern Oklahoma State can make for a tough transition to the NBA, but Rodman made the transition admirably.He managed to average 6.5 PPG and 4.3 RPG in only 15 MPG during his rookie year (1987). Making this especially impressive was that Rodman was able to break into the rotation of the vaunted "bad boys". Lets just say that Andrian Dantley, Sidney Green, Rick Mahorn, and John Salley don't give up their minutes lightly. Especially to some unknown, small school rookie. On a side note, can you imagine what those practices must have been like? Was there a single point scored in the paint? How many trainers did the team need?

After his rookie year, Rodman's role continued to expand. His rebounding totals over the next 6 years were 8.7, 9.4, 9.7, 12.5, 18.7, and 18.3. These last couple of years are just stupid. 18 rebounds per game! Wow! In addition to his prolific rebounding, Rodman turned into the elite small/power forward defender of the Jordan era. He was a first team all-defensive team member for his last 4 seasons with the Pistons and was named defensive POY in back-to-back seasons (1990 and 1991). During this stretch some memorable moments included a 32 rebound effort in 92' and leading the NBA in FG% during the 89' season.


Rodman the Spur

Both Rodman and Robinson made the first team all-defensive team in 1994.

One of my first sports memories was watching the platinum haired Rodman team up with "The Admiral" on the early 90's Spurs. During this time, Rodman was nothing short of spectacular. His two years on the Spurs were marked by rebounding totals of 17.3 and 16.8 and he also managed to make another all NBA defensive-team.


Rodman the Bull

Its Ring Collection Time Dennis you Dog.

As a Bull, Rodman continued to dominate the glass, posting rebound totals of 14.9, 16.1, and 15 per game. Each of his three seasons resulted in Rodman getting a ring. During this time, Rodman played a key role in the teams success by neutralizing Shawn Kemp and then Karl Malone in consecutive finals. Maybe most impressive was how Rodman guarded Malone and John Stockton in the same series. A feat like that might never be replicated and should warrant his HOF selection in and of itself.


Rodman as a Laker and Maverick

After leaving the Bulls, Rodman's character concerns began to catch up with him a bit and his staying power on any particular team became limited. Even taking that into account, his last two seasons ended with him grabbing 11.2 and 14.3 rebounds per game.

The RFH Collective would like to applaud the NBA HOF Selection Committee and congratulate The Worm for an honor well deserved.
Posted by Dave Hendrie at 12:14 AM
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