The Twisted World of Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman is a name synonymous with basketball. Rodman played for 5 major basketball franchises (the Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers and Mavericks). Rodman is usually the butt of every basketball joke especially because of his unorthodox piercings and
his weird hair colors. Born in Trenton New Jersey on the 13th of May, 1961, Rodman grew up to be one of the best rebounding forwards in NBA history, as well as one of the most controversial. Conspiracies such as his affair with Madonna and his marriage
to Carman Electra surrounded Rodman like wrapping paper on a birthday gift.
Childhood
Dennis Rodman’s dad, Philander Rodman Jr, abandoned his family when Dennis was only 3 years old. This caused Rodman to have a lot of resentment towards his dad. He claims that he never missed his father since there was nothing there to miss. Rodman grew
up in the worst part of New Jersey imaginable, Oakcliff. Attached to his mother, Rodman felt as if she favored his two sisters more than him. He was also insecure of his body - so much so that the girls in his high school actually thought he was g*y! Dennis
started to play basketball in high school, although he was not a proper athlete, but when he experienced a growth spurt, he decided to give basketball another try. For his further studies he went to Cooke County College in Gainesville, Texas but got kicked
out due to bad grades. He transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he was the 3 time All-American, and led the NAIA in rebounds for two seasons straight. His sudden success caught the eye of the Detroit Pistons.
Piston Era
He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1986 as the 27th pick. Rodman fitted in well with the other rough and tough team members. Winning 52 games, the Pistons made it to the Play-offs but were beaten by the Boston Celtics. In the 1987-1988 season,
Rodman improved his game. He was voted All-Defensive Team (8 times throughout his career). In the 1990 Finals against Portland, Rodman suffered an injured ankle. Even though he was incapable of playing at his full potential, the Pistons defeated Portland,
thus claiming their 2nd title. Rodman got so good that the NBA claimed that he could “put down” any opposing player in the league. In 1991 however, the Pistons lost the finals to the Chicago Bulls. In the 1992-1993 season Rodman’s rebounding improved
drastically. He averaged around 18.7 rebounds per game. This statistic helped Rodman achieve a spot on the All-NBA team. In 1992 he totaled a high score of 34 rebounds. Rodman suffered mentally when Coach Chuck Daly left the Pistons. Rodman saw Daly as a father
figure and was very devastated when he left. He also married his girlfriend, who he divorced a year later.
Spurs Era
Just before the 1993-1994 season, Dennis Rodman demanded to be transferred to the San Antonio Spurs. Here he won his 3rd rebounding title. This season was significant because this was when Rodman started showing bizarre behavioral patterns. He
shaved his head and dyed his hair bright blond (among other colors). He got more and more violent (At one point he headbutted the referee) and there was also his ever popular affair with Madonna (he claimed that she tried to have a child with him). Due to
these incidents among others, Rodman missed 19 games of the season. Even still he made the All NBA team and got his 4th rebounding title (just barely).
Bulls Era
In the 1995-1996 season, Rodman was transferred to the Chicago Bulls. With them, he won another rebounding title, and his first triple double. He was fined 20,000 dollars for head butting a referee. In the 1996-1997 season, Rodman won his 6th rebound
title. He also kicked a camera man in between the legs when he almost tripped over him during a game. This was not considered a foul, but Rodman did have to pay a 200,000 dollar settlement to the camera man. In the 1997-1998 season, Rodman got his 7threbounding
title, and led the Bulls to their 3rd title. After this season, Rodman left basketball for a while to focus on his other passion, wrestling.
Quite honestly, Dennis Rodman was one of the most messed up celebrities this writer has ever seen. From daddy issues to anger management, Rodman has done it all.
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