Dennis Rodman: The quintessential Detroit Pistons

ESPN’s new 30 for 30 sheds light on the life and career of Dennis Rodman. Let’s take a look at where it all started — as a member of the Detroit Pistons.

On Tuesday, ESPN premiered “Rodman: For Better or Worse,” the newest addition to its 30 for 30 documentary series.

The film not only focuses on Dennis Rodman‘s playing career, but explores his turbulent personal life and, more broadly, his influence on popular culture.

Rodman, who has become one of sports’ most iconic cultural figures, was not always the flamboyant, peculiar figure he’s known as today. As a member of the Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s and early ’90s, Rodman was largely considered a shy and quiet role player with a “do your part” approach to the game.

It was this side of Rodman that came to embody Detroit basketball.

Rodman was selected with the 27th pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 1986 NBA draft. At Southeastern Oklahoma State, Rodman was a three-time, NAIA All-American and led the NAIA in rebounding twice, exhibiting the defensive and rebounding skills that would characterize his Hall of Fame career.

As the newest member of the Bad Boy Pistons, Rodman soon became an integral role player at both forward spots. His incredible motor and tenacity on the court helped define the ferocious Detroit defenses that delivered back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.

At 6-foot-77, 210 pounds, Rodman wasn’t the most physically gifted athlete, but he managed to stifle opponents and record historic rebounding numbers night in and night out.

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What separated Rodman from others throughout his career – among many other things – was his determination and his energy on the court. There was palpable emotion and passion embedded in his play style that allowed him to do things on the court that no other player of his size and skill have been able to match. During the 1991-92 season, Rodman averaged an incredible 18.7 rebounds per game – the most ever by a player not named Wilt Chamberlain or Bill Russell.

Although Rodman’s rebounding stats were gaudy, that’s not what makes him such an iconic Detroit Piston. What cemented Rodman’s legacy as a Piston was how his mentality towards the game embodied the spirit of Detroit basketball.

As a Piston, Rodman was a humble figure who relished the opportunity to serve as a role player. He once stated in an interview, “I don’t like starting…I’m a role player.” Rodman clearly embraced the blue-collar, team oriented mentality that gave rise to some of Detroit’s best basketball teams and he served as a key contributor during the Bad Boys’ championship runs in the late 1980s.

Rodman’s passion for the game, as well as his undeniable talent, soon won over the hearts and minds of the Detroit faithful. His emotion and enthusiasm demonstrated a love for the game and, more importantly, a love for his team and the city of Detroit.

In many ways, Rodman himself formed the Detroit basketball identity.

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Today, the organization prides itself on its blue-collar approach to the game: relentless defense, selfless offense, and a commitment to team success over individual accomplishment. This is Detroit basketball. These qualities have served as Detroit’s blueprint for success, and the franchise’s championship teams have embodied it most fully.

There may be no Piston in history, though, who embodies Detroit basketball more than Rodman.

While the world will remember Rodman as an exuberant, complicated figure, Detroit remembers what truly made him great. The lanky, quiet young forward with an uncanny motor and love for the game will always be the Rodman that Pistons fans know and love.

That Rodman helped us understand what Detroit basketball is all about.

That Rodman is, in many ways, the quintessential Detroit Piston.

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