How Good Was Dennis Rodman, Really?

Dennis Rodman has always been larger than life, with his flashy wardrobe, colorful hair, and big personality. Although his persona sometimes overshadowed his incredible balling abilities, the NBA Hall of Famer has had an undeniable impact on the court.

An Elite Career

Rodman won five NBA championships during his 14 seasons in the league, helping the Detroit Pistons — who drafted him 27th overall — win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. After landing with the Chicago Bulls in 1995, Rodman added three more championship rings to his collection. In 2011, the Pistons retired Rodman's #10 jersey, and the defensive power forward was ushered into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Rebound Specialist

Rodman had an uncanny ability for wriggling out of throngs of players with the ball safely in his possession. Nicknamed "The Worm," he set a league record when he finished seven consecutive seasons as the leader in rebounds per game (1992 to 1998). Rodman currently ranks second among the NBA's all-time total rebound percentage leaders (23.44%), dropping from the top spot when Andre Drummond recently surpassed him. Over his career, he averaged 13.1 rebounds in 31.7 minutes.

Stellar Defensive Abilities

Rodman worked hard to refine his rebounding skills, studying the arc of balls as they soared toward the net and how they bounced off the rim. His rebounding instincts, combined with his physicality and hustle, earned him the distinction of being the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year for back-to-back seasons in 1990 and 1991. His willingness to put in the hard work and grind away in the thick of the action also catapulted him to seven NBA All-Defensive Team honors.

"But He Didn't Score…"

Not all fans think Rodman is a superstar. His detractors usually point to the numbers: he averaged only 7.3 points and 1.3 assists per game. But this was deliberate. According to GQ, when Rodman was drafted to the Pistons and playing alongside talent like Isiah Thomas, he chose to focus his energies on defense and rebounding. His ability to lock down players, grab rebounds, and get the ball to teammates undoubtedly helped push the Pistons and Bulls to success.

A Hall of Fame Legend

Tom Thibodeau, an assistant coach when Rodman was with San Antonio, described him as "more of a complete player than he's given credit for." Rodman may not have been an offensive threat, but his defensive skills, rebounding, screening, and passing were critical — especially with opponents such as Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing on the floor.