Dennis Rodman: Career retrospective

Dennis Rodman: Career retrospective,He's a top 10 power forward all-time and top 10 at making headlines off the court. But there is so much more to Rodman. Let’s take a look at one of the wildest careers in NBA history.

Dennis Rodman: Career retrospective

NBA legend Dennis Rodman is known for a lot of things: Being a member of the Bad Boy Pistons, winning three championships in a row with the Chicago Bulls, and becoming the best rebounder of his era. He’s a top 10 power forward all-time and top 10 at making headlines off the court. But there is so much more to Rodman. Let’s take a look at one of the wildest careers in NBA history.

1 of 25

Humble beginnings

Rodman warming up with the Bulls (1996).Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

At 18, Rodman found work as a janitor at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport immediately after graduating high school. At this stage of his life, it seemed like he was going nowhere. Instead of trying to advance himself, he spent most of his time drifting along the winds of life. This would change soon.

3 of 25

Growth spurt

Rodman courtside for a Lakers-Kings game (2018).Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rodman hit a growth spurt in his late teens. The Dallas native went from 5-foot-11 to 6-foot-7. The insane growth spurt inspired Rodman to give basketball another try, even if the failures of the past still haunted him.

4 of 25

Community college career

TIM ZIELENBACH-Staff-Getty Images

The Chicago Bulls became a dynasty in the ’90s. The Bulls Big Three of Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman was unstoppable. In their first season together, the Bulls went 72-10 and won the 1996 NBA Finals. They are widely regarded as the best basketball team ever. While Jordan took home Finals MVP in ‘96, there is an argument to be made that Rodman was deserving of the award.

The Bulls followed up their record-breaking ‘96 season by beating the Utah Jazz in back-to-back NBA Finals. It was official. The Bulls pulled off a three-peat.

14 of 25

Rodman’s WWE career

Rodman with Hulk Hogan (1998).MIKE NELSON-Staff-Getty Images

Rodman’s love for professional wrestling inspired him to test his luck in the sport. He teamed up with Hulk Hogan as a member of NWO. After the 1998 NBA Finals, he faced Karl Malone at Bash at the Beach. While his WWE career was short, it was exciting.

15 of 25

Seven consecutive rebounding titles

RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

Rodman was a prolific rebounder. He won seven consecutive rebounding titles from 1991-98. He could take over a game with his rebounding ability, a rarity in the NBA. Rodman was used to grabbing 20 or more boards in a game. He won his team games by focusing on getting as many rebounds as possible and playing All-Star-caliber defense.

16 of 25

Stints with Los Angeles, San Antonio

Anne Ryan-USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Throughout his career, he won five championships. He won two with the Detroit Pistons and three with the Chicago Bulls. Rodman made his mark on his era and became a vital piece to five championship runs.

18 of 25

A unique character on and off the court

Anne Ryan, USA TODAY, USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC

There is no denying that Rodman is quite the character. Besides his unique appearance, Rodman has made headlines for some crazy reasons.

Known to be the life of the party, Rodman knew how to celebrate his many accomplishments. His partying antics made him a fan favorite during his career. The internet is filled with stories about his wild lifestyle, from partying before the NBA Finals to partying with Carmen Electra in Vegas.

On the field, Rodman is also known to get rowdy. He headbutted a ref, kicked a cameraman, received countless technical fouls, and was always a threat to get into a fight or altercation every game. Rodman had his fair share of ejections from games.

19 of 25

Rodman in pop culture

Nick Valinote-Contributor-Getty Images

Rappers A$AP Ferg and Tyga wrote a song named after the NBA legend. So did Mansionz. He is even featured on the Mansionz track. He has starred in movies Double Team and Simon Sez and played himself on The Simpsons.

Regarding reality TV, Rodman had his own show with MTV, The Rodman World Tour, and he was a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. Rodman has also published five books.

20 of 25

Struggles off the court

WANG ZHAO-Stringer-Getty Images

Since retiring, Rodman has gotten into politics. He is friends with Donald Trump, who he became close with through Celebrity Apprentice . During the 2016 presidential election, Rodman endorsed Trump for office. In 2020, Rodman supported Kanye West for president.

His friendship with the Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un has made headlines. Rodman frequently visits North Korea. On some of his trips, he participates in an exhibition game of basketball with Kim Jong-un in attendance.

22 of 25

Rodman the diplomat

WANG ZHAO-Stringer-Getty Images

Over the years, Rodman has asked the leader of North Korea to release American prisoners. Rodman’s goal in this odd friendship is to advocate for peace and form a better relationship between the United States and North Korea. Rodman gave an interview on his experiences with North Korea after the 2018 North Korea-United States Summit. Rodman is in the unique situation of being friends with former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.

In 2022, Rodman advocated for the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison. He even considered traveling to Russia and asking for her release.

23 of 25

Rodman’s dating life

Rodman after marrying himself (1996).Evan Agostini-Contributor-Getty Images

Rodman has been married three times. His first wife was model Annie Bakes, whom he was with during his time with the Pistons. He married Baywatch star Carmen Electa in Las Vegas in 1998. Their marriage was short-lived. They divorced the following year.

His third marriage was to Michelle Moyer, with whom he has two kids. Rodman briefly dated Madonna in 1994.

In 1996, he showed up to a Bulls game in a wedding dress. Rodman stated that he married himself as a promotional tool for his upcoming book, Bad As I Wanna be.

Rodman has three kids: Alexis, Trinity, and DJ Rodman. Alexis is his daughter with Annie Bakes. Trinity and DJ were with Moyer. Trinity is a professional soccer player with the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women’s national soccer team. DJ Rodman plays Division I basketball with Washington State.

24 of 25

Appearance on ‘The Last Dance’

Rodman catching up with Jordan (2022).Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Last Dance was a 2020 ESPN documentary series about Michael Jordan’s basketball career. The GOAT’s 10-episode series featured stories from his high school career, his time at the University of North Carolina, and the journey toward winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. Rodman is featured extensively in the documentary.

Episode 3 is about Rodman’s backstory and how he ended up with the Bulls. There’s a great scene where the Bulls players and coaches describe a short vacation to Las Vegas that Rodman went on halfway through the 1998 season with Carmen Electra. Rodman stayed in Vegas for longer than promised. Jordan had to drag Rodman out of Vegas for practice with the Bulls.

25 of 25

Inducted into NBA Hall of Fame

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rodman’s rollercoaster career ended when he was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Known for his shutdown defense, hustle plays, and rebounding, Rodman etched a place for himself in NBA lore. He could control games with his rebounding and is remembered as one of the greatest rebounders in the history of the NBA.