As strange a guy as he was, he probably deserve it. Because of his personality, people tend to forget that his rebounding numbers were sick.
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This would not be an issue at all if he weren't such a goofball (that to be fair, was sometimes quite disruptive to his team). He is one of the top 2 or 3 rebounders of all time, could guard multiple positions, and guard them extremely well. People tend to forget that he won 2 DPOY's, and without gaudy steal or block numbers. His offense was obviously not so hot but he knew his role (unlike some defensive specialists like Ben Wallace who get upset if they don't get touches) and he was a very solid passer.
He absolutely deserved it. His defense and rebounding were critical to championships. Absolutely elite. Even when he was in San Antonio, he helped them to the league's best record. People forget that.
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Dennis Rodman was a winner, no matter where he went. This guy just simple wins. HOF worthy? Absolutely.
Congratulations Mr. Dennis "Worm" Rodman. He deserves to be inducted into that pantheon of the greatest basketball players who ever lived. I really disliked him when he played for the Pistons but absolutely loved his game, and even his goofiness, when he played for the Bulls. Nevertheless, wherever he played, his game was just awesome to behold. He was a very fierce yet extremely smart player on both ends of the court.
He led the league in rebounding 7 straight seasons.... finished in the top 3 in rebounding 9 straight times. He won 5 championships 7 times was All NBA 1st team defense 2 time NBA DPOY 1st ALL TIME in NBA history in rebound % .... He was on the team with the greatest record ever (72-10) He was pivotal in defending Karl Malone in the Finals... NO QUESTION.... He is a HOFer
I hope this is true. Nobody (who has been on previous ballots and not gotten in) deserves it more imo.
Could this announcement have possibly been an April Fools joke? I think Rodman deserves to be in the HOF, but its still a surprise to me that he actually got inducted.
his induction ceremony has now become must watch tv i am glad rodman got in, despite all of his sometimes unncessary antics off the court he was on of the greatest defensive players and basketball minds i have ever seen play
Doesn't deserve it. The Hall of Fame should be for leaders and winners, not role players. Rodman was best when he was the third or less best player on his team. When he went to SA and was asked to be the second best player, he couldn't hack it and literally laid down and quit at times. You would never pick Rodman to lead a team under any circumstances. You would never pick Rodman to be anything but a role player (a great role player but nonetheless, a role player). His playoff numbers were usually lower than his regular season numbers. He was so focused on rebounding after he left Detroit that his defense and other aspects of his game suffered. He never improved upon what he was and in fact, he regressed in some facets as his career went on. And his reputation is overblown on the defensive end. If Dream or Barkley had been able to focus completely on rebounding, they could have put up similar rebounding numbers, but they were also asked to do other things, like be the go-to scorer and in Dream's case, anchor the team defense and not just harass one man. So again, does not deserve the honor.
There are quite a few HOFers that were at their best as the 2nd or 3rd best players on their teams, that weren't leaders and that I would never pick to lead my team (McHale, Parish, Worthy, Pippen, etc). The guy was one of the best defenders and rebounders in league history, and he was a key contributor on 5 title teams, including one record setting squad that took of to new heights once they added him. He absolutely deserves to be in the HOF. Is there any chance they let Guy Lewis in this year? He really deserves it and it would be perfect for them to announce it at the Houston Final 4. Edit: Nevermind. Looks like he didn't even make the Finalists.
