Dennis Rodman is one of the most iconic players in NBA history because, quite frankly, there has been no other celebrity with the character of the 6-time champion. With his unique way of living his life and going about his business, Rodman has attracted fans throughout his career. A man who appreciated the joys of life outside of basketball, Dennis Rodman was an incredibly popular figure in the sports media and in Hollywood as well.
But The Worm is one of the most impressive defensive players ever on the court. The 6'7" power forward had a stellar career, winning 5 NBA titles, making 2 All-Star teams, and 8 All-Defensive teams. A distinguished defender who could handle all five positions when required, Rodman also won the Defensive Player of the Year twice. While Rodman is in the news for being the best defender of all time, he is also in the news for being the greatest rebounder of all time.
Dennis Rodman has to become the greatest rebounder ever, leading the rebounds in the league for 7 consecutive years making it his greatest skill. An obsessive rebounder who liked to watch tapes to study his opponent's shots, Rodman had the best skills to grab defensive rebounds. Here are Dennis Rodman's rebounders per game for each season, cementing his stance as possibly the greatest rebounder of all time.
1986-1987 Season: 4.3 RPG
In Rodman's rookie season, the Detroit Pistons finished 52–30 under head coach Chuck Daly and even made the playoffs to the Eastern Conference. At age 25, Rodman played only 15.0 mpg while appearing in 77 total games with 1 start. Rodman's rebounding numbers will increase year on year, and his 4.3 RPG is his career-low.
1987-1988 Season: 8.7 RPG
In his second season with the Pistons, Rodman began to get more minutes and appeared in 82 games with 32 starts at 26.2 mpg. The long forward averaged double digits for the first (and only time) in his career at 11.6ppg, while more than doubling his rebounds by chipping in at 8.7rpg. After the season, the Pistons lost to the Lakers in the final.
1988-1989 Season: 9.4 RPG
Rodman's third season delivered the highest FG percentage in his career, as he pulled 59.5% of his shots off the field. The forward once again appeared in 82 games, averaging 26.9 mpg off the bench as the main defensive stopper. His average was 9.4 rpg, which came close to putting at least 10 rpg. Thanks to the brilliance of Joe Dummers and Isiah Thomas and Rodman's defense, the Pistons win the NBA title. Rodman would make his first of five straight All-Defensive First Teams.
1989-1990 Season: 9.7 RPG
Dennis Rodman would make his first All-Star team in his career in the 1990 season, as well as capture his second straight NBA championship. The forward started a career-high 43 game starts in 82 appearances, averaging 29.0 mpg. Rodman displayed elite versatility on defense, averaging 9.7 RPGs, earning him his first Defensive Player of the Year award. His 1990 season was definitely one to remember as he garnered many accolades at once.
1990-1991 Season: 12.5 RPG
The following season, Rodman would capture his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award by starting 77 games out of 82 and averaging 12.5 RPGs. For the first time in his career, Rodman scored double digits in rebounding as it would soon begin a coveted 7-year run as the game's most elite rebounder. Once again a dominant defender, Dennis Rodman was key to the Pistons' race in the Eastern Conference Finals, this time falling to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
1991-1992 Season: 18.7 RPG
The forward averaged an incredible 18.7 RPGs in the 1992 season for the Pistons, after Rodman put up his first double-digit rebounding number a year earlier. Rodman started 80 games, played 40.3 mpg, and averaged a double-double putting out about 9.8 ppg. Chipping in at 0.8 SPG and 0.9 BPG, Rodman's defense was becoming unbelievable to watch and his impact was undeniably great, even if he was not inclined to score. This is why the leading defender made his first All-NBA team.
1992-1993 Season: 18.3 RPG
Rodman's final season as a member of the Detroit Pistons was an interesting one as he once again put out over 18 RPGs while playing close to 40 MPG. But the forward only appeared in a total of 65 games, of which 55 started. The team was getting a bit out of date and failed to make the playoffs under new head coach Ron Rothstein, leaving the franchise to make decisions about its further future. Much to Rodman's surprise, on October 1, 1993, the Detroit Pistons signed Dennis Rodman and Isaiah Morris, 1994 second-round draft picks, and Sean Elliott, David Wood, and a 1996 first-round draft pick for the San Antonio Spurs. Draft pick traded. 1996 1st round draft pick.
1993-1994 Season: 17.3 RPG
With his new team, Dennis Rodman continued his shine on the glass by putting up a 17.3 RPG for the San Antonio Spurs. The forward, like most in the game, was puzzled that the Pistons would trade a player who averaged over 18 RPGs for two straight seasons. But this was beyond Rodman's control, as he continued his defensive brilliance, though he failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs. But this season was the first glimpse of Rodman embracing his true self, as he began to act beyond his usual "shy" self with the Pistons. Before his first game with the Spurs, he dyed his hair blonde and will continue to add color throughout the season. The nickname of his neck, "The Demolition Man", began to become popular. Even though Rodman again formed an all-defensive team and formed a key defensive pairing with David Robinson, the Spurs could not get past the Jazz in the first round.
1994-1995 Season: 16.8 RPG
The 1995 season was very interesting for Rodman, who once again led the league for the season, amassing a total of 823 rebounds and an average of 16.8 RPGs. With his incredible ability to influence the game both defensively and on the boards, Rodman made another All-NBA team. But his clashes with the San Antonio front office began to become apparent as he played only 49 games due to suspension as well as injuries similar to those in a motorcycle accident. Even though the Spurs won 62 games and made the Western Conference Finals, Rodman's behavior was not going to fly in San Antonio.
1995-1996 Season: 14.9 RPG
With Rodman's demeanor and his new outlook on life becoming a distraction for the Spurs, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls. Chicago was already a force to be reckoned with, with superstar Michael Jordan on the roster, and Dennis was brought in to replace the late Horace Grant who had been instrumental for the Bulls. In a bold move by the Bulls front office that was certainly a gamble, the 34-year-old Rodman made a massive impact by leading the league again in RPGs and creating an all-defensive team again. Rodman helped the Bulls achieve a 72–10 record, and his defense was instrumental in winning their third championship.
1996-1997 Season: 16.1 RPG
The 1997 season was not an easy one for Dennis Rodman, even though he would again lead the league in rebounds. The charismatic power forward once again dealt with his issues with the behavior, famously kicking a cameraman in the groin and avoiding serious legal trouble. Rodman faced an 11-game suspension for his actions, and also suffered injury issues throughout the season. Even though Dennis was not at his best, his defense and rebounding gave the Bulls enough to win another championship.
1997-1998 Season: 15.0 RPG
Dennis Rodman became a big celebrity after starting his relationship with famed singer Madonna, during the "Last Dance" season for the Chicago Bulls. On the court, Rodman was once again dominant as he led the league in rebounds for the 7th consecutive time and made some of the best defense of his career against Karl Malone in the NBA Finals. With his ability to consistently crash the board each year and create all-defensive teams, Rodman would have cemented himself as the greatest rebounder of all time when he won his 5th championship.
1998-1999 Season: 11.2 RPG
After the 1998 season saw the breakup of the championship corps of Jordan, Scotty Pippen, and Phil Jackson, Rodman joined the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. The 7-time rebounding champion appeared in only 23 games for the Lakers, starting in 11 games. He managed to amass an impressive average of 11.2 RPGs at age 37, but he was no longer an elite player who could impress championship teams at his age.
1999-2000 Season: 14.3 RPG
Dennis Rodman's final season did not go according to plan, as he was not motivated to become a valuable member of a franchise looking to win despite averaging an impressive 14.3 RPG through 12 games. The forward barely moved with the Mavericks, was suspended for one game and received an incredible 6 technical fouls in a few weeks of basketball. At 38, Dennis Rodman was at his best, and his inability to stay focused led him to be cut early in the season. Still, looking at his tremendous resume through rebounding stats, there is no doubt about who the biggest rebounder is and it is none other than the 5-time NBA champion.
Career Average - 13.1 RPG
Dennis Rodman is the best rebounder in NBA history and arguably the best role player of all time. He was a role model for the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. His role was very clear: rebound, rebound, rebound and defend, defend, defend. It is safe to say that they did the perfect job.
He won 5 NBA Championships, was the Defensive Player of the Year 2 times; Was selected 7 times as part of the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while also being the rebounding leader in the league 7 times. He was a very controversial figure off the court, but on the court he was committed, played for the team, and gave his all in every game. Worm really moved on from his role, and one thing we know for sure is that there will never be another Dennis Rodman.