Slightly OT: Dennis Rodman...HOF?

JackWESQ

With all this talk about McGwire and the Hall of Fame, I began to think about Dennis Rodman. Controversial no doubt, but as to himself and not necessarily the game. Then I looked at his resume and I have to admit it is quite impressive. He led the NBA in rebounds per game for seven consecutive years (18.7, 18.3, 17.3, 16.8, 14.9, 16.1 and 15.0), made 1st team All-Defense seven years (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996) and was a five-team NBA Champion (1989, 1990, 1996, 1997 and 1998). Rodman will be eligible next year. Your thoughts are appreciated.

/s/ JackWESQ

storm888

Great player. Almost certain to be admitted quickly; but,
maybe not too quickly.

brianwintersfan

I say no

itzagoner

sorry, couldn't help myself.....while he is deserving, his controversial behavior may cost him a shot (as if he cared), and just the thought of his mug on a plaque again makes me



now, if they had a Hall for guys who were great stories......

lostdart58

Ripley's is sort of a Hall Of Fame....isn't it??

aro13

I think Rodman is a Hall of Famer. He was dominant and perhaps the best in the league at two key areas of the game.

Ladder7

Like it or not, the Worm has some impressive numbers.

Bosox1976

HOF for sure. Unstoppable with the Bulls and vital to the Pistons. Sure he was nutsy, but it was an unbelievable run.

gregmo32

And all that said, the numbers don't tell the story of Rodman's impact on winning. Look at the winning percentages of the teams he played for, and how many times his team had the best record in the league. Opportunist in some ways for sure, but I remember his last year in Detroit, where they were well over .500 with him and about 3-20 without him. Rodman on the court (before he became a caricature of himself) was almost unparallelled in his ability to make teammates better from the position he played. And he really knew how to play the game to win. If most players in the NBA played as hard or as smart or as consistently as Rodman the game would be in a better state.

He is most definitely a HOFer.

larryallen73

At first I saw your thread and chuckled. However, you make a good point counselor. He was a freak but he was dominant on the glass. I don't think it was a long enough career and it seems like you have to be able to shoot a basketball to make the HOF? I haven't checked his stats but my recollection is he scored very little. Points matter. How many .200 hitters, with really slick gloves, are in the basell HOF?

Brian48

I'd like to see him get in just to see what type of circus it would cause

FavreFan1971

First Ballot HOFer

ndleo

Rodman should go into the hall. If Ozzie Smith is a baseball HOF, then Rodman is a basketball HOF. Rebounding and defense is just as tough, if not tougher, than scoring. He was never asked to score. There has to be a place in the HPF for guys like Rodman.

His behavior will cost him votes, so he might have to wait a few years.

JackWESQ

As always, I appreciate the group's thoughts. I agree with Brian48. Rodman's HOF induction ceremony would be a Tivo moment for the ages. But in all seriousness, I don't think anyone can reasonably question Rodman's ability to play defense and rebound. Of course, a 7.3 points per game average hurts, but I think the five (5) NBA titles more than easily offset the scoring deficiency. Moreover, I failed to mention that Rodman is a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the year. Combine this with his relatively small stature, 6'7'' 210, lbs, his ability to play defense and rebound is all the more amazing.

Agreed. Making any HOF based on defensive ability is difficult, but not impossible. Maz and Ozzie immediately come to mind. But if nothing else, I found these facts about the Worm quite suprising. In his first college game, Rodman scored 24 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. In his final game, he scored 46 points and grabbed 32 rebounds. Granted it was the NAIA courtesy of Southeastern Oklahoma State. But still impressive. I suppose we'll find out soon as the finalists for the Class of 2007 will be announced at the NBA All-Star weekend. I'll definitely be rooting for the Worm.

I end with a quick comment about one of my favorite baseball players, Rickey Henderson. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN wrote:

"Unless some desperate major-league club is looking for a former leadoff legend to draw key walks down the stretch and gives [Rickey] Henderson another shot, he's 30 months away from delivering what might be one of the most entertaining speeches in Cooperstown history."

Could anything be more true? I can see it now. "...today, 71 years after it first opened its doors, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is finally complete with my induction." - Rickey Henderson.

/s/ JPW

P.S. Could Rickey get 100%?

bri2327

No doubt, absolutely, 100%

Alfonz24

I think he (she if wears a wedding gown?) has very good chance. Those rebound numbers of 14.9 to 18.7 are astonishing. If I recall correctly, a 13.0 to 14.0 usually leads the NBA.

The question becomes if he was lucky enough to be on the 5 championship teams or did he help them become champions?

viking7

Yes, the Worm will make the Hall of Fame.

halosfan

Yes he deserves the HOF. He was a heck of a defender and rebounder.

Stone193

Yes to Rod.

No to the dress.

mike

jamesgotpoorman

~~~ HOF stats.

TNP777

Without question, he'll get in.

Geordie

grote15

First ballot, for sure. Arguably the best rebounder in NBA history and all gimmicks and stunts aside, The Worm knew how to win.

TheCARDKid

Absolute lock HOF'er. If he doesn't make it, I'd be P.O'ed.

I loved watching him play. The tattoo's and the silliness....I never cared about that. It overshadowed his skill as a defender, a rebounder and just a tenacious all around player...

-5 rings
-Twice DPOY
-7 times all defensive first team
-7 straight rebounding titles

Skinpinch

Kind of funny when you think about it, but so many people have problems with basketball or basesball defensive merit for the Hall of Fame......but not football