Special Editor : Rookie, Donghwan Lee

Basketball is rich with history, stories, and significance. We bring you the narratives behind the game's surface.

※ This content is brought to you in collaboration with Eland Museum and Korea's leading basketball magazine, Rookie.

Dennis Rodman is renowned as one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history and was the top defender of his time. His aggressive and tenacious playing style earned him the nickname "The Worm."

Rodman is an exemplar of triumph over a troubled childhood and a unique celebrity known for his eccentric behavior. Born in New Jersey, Rodman was abandoned by his father at the age of five. His father, a Vietnam War veteran, had many wives and fathered numerous children, making Rodman one of 46 siblings, according to him.

Having never seen his father from a very young age, Rodman grew up without any longing or affection for him. In his 1996 autobiography, Rodman confessed:

"I haven't seen my father in over 30 years, so I have no reason to miss him. I now think of it this way: a man brought me into this world, but that doesn't mean I have to consider him my father." 

— Dennis Rodman, Autobiography

Though his mother was present, Rodman's childhood was marked by many deficiencies. His mother favored his two sisters, who showed greater talent in basketball than he did.

In fact, up until high school, Rodman was far from being a promising basketball player. He was short, standing only 168 cm, and lacked ball-handling and shooting skills. He frequently missed easy layups, so he spent most games on the bench or was excluded from the roster altogether. He was a poor athlete, failing to make the school's football team.

Rodman recalled this time as a significant blow to his self-esteem.  

No college offered him a basketball scholarship, and he was not a standout student in other areas. After high school, Rodman was a night security guard at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Then, something unexpected happened—he experienced a growth spurt. After graduating high school at 180 cm, Rodman suddenly grew to 201 cm while working at the airport, reaching a height suitable for basketball.

Rodman decided to pursue his basketball dreams once more. He was introduced to an obscure college basketball team in Texas and joined, averaging 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds in his first semester.

Transferring to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the NAIA, Rodman began to shine, making the All-American team three times and leading the league in rebounds twice. However, playing for a small, unknown school made it difficult to catch the attention of NBA scouts.

After graduating, Rodman finally got his break at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, where he earned MVP honors and caught the eye of the Detroit Pistons. In the 1986 NBA Draft, the Pistons selected him in the second round, 27th overall.

Although he made it to the NBA, Rodman's position on the team was not secure. He lacked offensive skills and was not particularly tall, so he could easily have been traded or released. Rodman chose to survive by embracing the roles others shunned—defense and rebounding.

Early in his career, playing alongside Rick Mahorn and Bill Laimbeer significantly influenced Rodman. Under their tutelage, he developed his "enforcer" style, known for his sticky defense, physical play, and willingness to dive for loose balls. Coach Chuck Daly admired Rodman's tenacity.

Rodman, who grew up without a father, saw Coach Daly as a father figure. By his sophomore season, Rodman logged over 25 minutes per game as a critical sixth man for Detroit, using his defensive prowess to lock down opponents.

Rodman was recognized as the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991.

With Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars leading the backcourt and Rodman and Laimbeer anchoring the defense, Detroit won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Rodman was crucial in executing the "Jordan Rules" that helped eliminate the Chicago Bulls from the playoffs for three consecutive years from 1987 to 1989.

The documentary "The Last Dance" highlights how surprising it was for Chicago to acquire Rodman, considering his role with the "Bad Boys" and their fierce rivalry with the Bulls.

In the 1990-1991 season, Rodman started most games and averaged 8.2 points and 12.5 rebounds, showcasing his rebounding talent. He led the league in the 1991-1992 season with 18.7 rebounds per game, accumulating 1,530 rebounds—the second-highest single-season total in NBA history.

From 1991-1992 to 1997-1998, Rodman led the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons, made multiple All-NBA Defensive Teams, and earned two All-NBA Team selections, solidifying his status as the preeminent defender and rebounder. 

1993 Rodman was traded to the San Antonio Spurs, where he excelled in defense and rebounding. However, he clashed with David Robinson's and Coach Bob Hill's more reserved leadership.

Rodman began to exhibit more flamboyant behavior in San Antonio, dying his hair in various colors and covering his body with tattoos. His relationship with pop star Madonna also drew attention. After conflicts with the Spurs' front office and a motorcycle accident that injured his shoulder, Rodman became a significant problem for the team.

Despite this, the Chicago Bulls decided to take a chance on him. The Bulls aimed to reclaim the championship after Michael Jordan's return.

Under Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Coach Phil Jackson's leadership, Rodman thrived. Although he continued to dye his hair and occasionally act out, he did not rebel against the organization or his teammates as he had in San Antonio. Rusty LaRue, who played with Rodman during the 1997-1998 season, described him as a quiet and hardworking player.

"The Rodman I knew was very different from his public persona."
 

"Rodman was not a bizarre individual. He was quiet, hardworking, and focused. He never slacked off in practice and was always running around the court, followed by weight training. He spoke little and concentrated on his tasks, demonstrating great effort and high basketball IQ."

— Rusty LaRue, Chicago Bulls player

Under the guidance of Jordan, Pippen, and Jackson, Rodman became the league's leading rebounder for three consecutive seasons in Chicago and a critical defensive anchor for the Bulls

The defensive trio of Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman was unmatched, and Rodman was a vital part of the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls, often regarded as the greatest team in NBA history. Rodman was integral to the Bulls' second three-peat, a testament to his impact.

After winning the Finals in 1998, the Chicago dynasty was dismantled, and Rodman left the team. The lockout delayed the start of the 1998-1999 season, and by late January 1999, Rodman was released from the team. At 37, Rodman briefly played for the Lakers and the Mavericks, but no team fully embraced his unique personality.

In 2011, the Detroit Pistons retired Rodman's number 10 jersey. The following year, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Rodman did not expect this recognition, as evidenced by his tears during his induction speech in 2012.

The exhibition "75 Greatest Basketball Players Vol.1" will showcase over 150 historic NBA items, including several related to Dennis Rodman. Visitors can see the game ball from Rodman's 34-rebound game on March 4, 1992, his signed road jersey from the 1995-1996 season, and his signed game-worn shoes from the same season.

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