The Case For Dennis Rodman's HOF Enshrinement
26th March, 2010 - 6:38 pm
By Joshua Thomas
Growing up within in the NBA culture as the son of Isiah Thomas, I was able to see things from a unique perspective. I have come to understand the realities of what the media chooses to report and also develop personal relationships with my own idols. The perspective is challenging to articulate, but one thing is for certain- those with a direct “in” to the NBA often take the simple, fundamental concepts of life for granted.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to DJ alongside Dennis Rodman at the Newport Beach Resort just north of Miami at Kitchen 305. Dennis basically played the role of host for the night, signing autographs and taking pictures with guests who were genuinely excited to see him. Dennis handled the attention with poise- taking a picture with anyone who asked and treating everyone respectfully. Such a description of Rodman is totally contradictory to his “Rodzilla” persona, which portrays him as America’s ultimate bad guy with a never-ending desire to party.
When I was growing up, Rodman was my favorite player in the NBA. I used to pattern my defense and rebounding after him because, I believed and still do, that those were the two most important elements to playing winning basketball. As I got older, Rodman’s reputation worsened as a result of his decisions both on and off the court.
All of those decisions will certainly be considered by voters next year when Rodman becomes eligible for election to the Hall of Fame. While Rodman last played an NBA game over 10 years ago on March 7th, 2000 with the Mavericks, he has played overseas as recently as 2006 and Hall of Fame candidates must be at least five years removed from playing.
Not surprisingly, I’m a proponent of Rodman being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Rodman is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding seven times, accomplishing the feat from 1991-92 through 1997-98. During that time, he played for three different teams, Detroit Pistons , San Antonio and Chicago.
In 1991-92 and 1992-93 he averaged 18.7 and 18.3 rebounds per game, respectively. In the decade since Rodman retired, no one has averaged more than 15.4 a game.
Twice he was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He was named to the league’s All-Defensive Teams a staggering 10 times - seven as a first-teamer. Not to mention that he led the league in field goal percentage once, in 1989, and would often guard the opponent’s best player, no matter that player’s position. And let’s not forget, the man is a five-time NBA Champion.
Personal note: If my father hadn’t had an ankle the size of a grapefruit coming out of Game 6, Rodman would have won his first ring in 1988 instead of 1989 when the Pistons played the Lakers in one of the best series ever.
Now, consider that Rodman was, at best, 6'7". Considering his accomplishments at that height, when other big men in the NBA at the time consisted of future Hall of Famers like Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley, is nothing short of amazing. Rodman was essentially a small forward who led the NBA in rebounding during an era filled with super big-man talent.
If the Hall of Fame fails to elect Rodman based on his supposed character flaws, it will be a travesty. Unquestionably, he used poor judgment at various times along the way, but so did many others. See Charles Barkley, for example as a possible precedent for Rodman. Barkley has, in a sense, recreated his image largely due to his job as an analyst on TNT. During his career, however, as well as during his retirement, Barkley has also provided reasons to question his character. I analyze Barkley as follows:
Barkley won one NBA MVP, selected to 11 All-Star Games, named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, zero championships. Known for his outspoken and aggressive play, however, Barkley also caused a few memorable incidents. During a 1990 fight with Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer in 1990, an event that drew record fines, Barkley actually spit on a little girl. He was also equally confrontational off the court. He was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks and also for throwing a man through a plate-glass window. Finally, Barkley’s proclivity for gambling has been well documented for years. Notwithstanding these occurrences, and keeping in mind his failure to win a championship, Barkley was an easy first ballot Hall of Famer.
So, considering the former, I wonder, as the great players with no championships (Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Barkley…) begin to make their way into the Hall of Fame, will the Hall wrongfully close its doors on one of the the league’s most unique, great players? One of the greatest defenders and rebounders ever who won five NBA Championships?
When RealGM recently asked if Rodman deserves to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame, 79% of the over three-thousand voters replied yes. I certainly hope the Hall’s governing body follows suit and gives him enshrinement on the first attempt.
Footnote: After finishing my set DJing this past weekend, Dennis turned to me and said “be you.” I just looked up at him as he smiled and repeated it. A man whose life has been filled with success, turmoil and much more has still managed to live life on his own terms. I admire that. Through all of the good and the bad, why should we judge him for transgressions off the court, when he brought us so much joy watching him on the court? So I will take Dennis’s message and pass it on, because for a man to struggle as he did and have the success that he has, those two words hold tremendous meaning. Be you.
Read more: http://realgm.com/src_feature/1645/...ennis_rodmans_hof_enshrinement/#ixzz0jUB61y0h
26th March, 2010 - 6:38 pm
By Joshua Thomas
Growing up within in the NBA culture as the son of Isiah Thomas, I was able to see things from a unique perspective. I have come to understand the realities of what the media chooses to report and also develop personal relationships with my own idols. The perspective is challenging to articulate, but one thing is for certain- those with a direct “in” to the NBA often take the simple, fundamental concepts of life for granted.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to DJ alongside Dennis Rodman at the Newport Beach Resort just north of Miami at Kitchen 305. Dennis basically played the role of host for the night, signing autographs and taking pictures with guests who were genuinely excited to see him. Dennis handled the attention with poise- taking a picture with anyone who asked and treating everyone respectfully. Such a description of Rodman is totally contradictory to his “Rodzilla” persona, which portrays him as America’s ultimate bad guy with a never-ending desire to party.
When I was growing up, Rodman was my favorite player in the NBA. I used to pattern my defense and rebounding after him because, I believed and still do, that those were the two most important elements to playing winning basketball. As I got older, Rodman’s reputation worsened as a result of his decisions both on and off the court.
All of those decisions will certainly be considered by voters next year when Rodman becomes eligible for election to the Hall of Fame. While Rodman last played an NBA game over 10 years ago on March 7th, 2000 with the Mavericks, he has played overseas as recently as 2006 and Hall of Fame candidates must be at least five years removed from playing.
Not surprisingly, I’m a proponent of Rodman being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Rodman is the only player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding seven times, accomplishing the feat from 1991-92 through 1997-98. During that time, he played for three different teams, Detroit Pistons , San Antonio and Chicago.
In 1991-92 and 1992-93 he averaged 18.7 and 18.3 rebounds per game, respectively. In the decade since Rodman retired, no one has averaged more than 15.4 a game.
Twice he was named the Defensive Player of the Year. He was named to the league’s All-Defensive Teams a staggering 10 times - seven as a first-teamer. Not to mention that he led the league in field goal percentage once, in 1989, and would often guard the opponent’s best player, no matter that player’s position. And let’s not forget, the man is a five-time NBA Champion.
Personal note: If my father hadn’t had an ankle the size of a grapefruit coming out of Game 6, Rodman would have won his first ring in 1988 instead of 1989 when the Pistons played the Lakers in one of the best series ever.
Now, consider that Rodman was, at best, 6'7". Considering his accomplishments at that height, when other big men in the NBA at the time consisted of future Hall of Famers like Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley, is nothing short of amazing. Rodman was essentially a small forward who led the NBA in rebounding during an era filled with super big-man talent.
If the Hall of Fame fails to elect Rodman based on his supposed character flaws, it will be a travesty. Unquestionably, he used poor judgment at various times along the way, but so did many others. See Charles Barkley, for example as a possible precedent for Rodman. Barkley has, in a sense, recreated his image largely due to his job as an analyst on TNT. During his career, however, as well as during his retirement, Barkley has also provided reasons to question his character. I analyze Barkley as follows:
Barkley won one NBA MVP, selected to 11 All-Star Games, named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, zero championships. Known for his outspoken and aggressive play, however, Barkley also caused a few memorable incidents. During a 1990 fight with Detroit Pistons center Bill Laimbeer in 1990, an event that drew record fines, Barkley actually spit on a little girl. He was also equally confrontational off the court. He was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight after a game against the Milwaukee Bucks and also for throwing a man through a plate-glass window. Finally, Barkley’s proclivity for gambling has been well documented for years. Notwithstanding these occurrences, and keeping in mind his failure to win a championship, Barkley was an easy first ballot Hall of Famer.
So, considering the former, I wonder, as the great players with no championships (Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Barkley…) begin to make their way into the Hall of Fame, will the Hall wrongfully close its doors on one of the the league’s most unique, great players? One of the greatest defenders and rebounders ever who won five NBA Championships?
When RealGM recently asked if Rodman deserves to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame, 79% of the over three-thousand voters replied yes. I certainly hope the Hall’s governing body follows suit and gives him enshrinement on the first attempt.
Footnote: After finishing my set DJing this past weekend, Dennis turned to me and said “be you.” I just looked up at him as he smiled and repeated it. A man whose life has been filled with success, turmoil and much more has still managed to live life on his own terms. I admire that. Through all of the good and the bad, why should we judge him for transgressions off the court, when he brought us so much joy watching him on the court? So I will take Dennis’s message and pass it on, because for a man to struggle as he did and have the success that he has, those two words hold tremendous meaning. Be you.
Read more: http://realgm.com/src_feature/1645/...ennis_rodmans_hof_enshrinement/#ixzz0jUB61y0h
