Rodman into Hall of Fame

[Moranis]

I don't think Rodman was the greatest rebounder ever - Wilt is first with Russell a close second - but he's the greatest rebounder of the post-merger league.  And there's no close second.  

  I would agree with this and point out that it's hard to overstate how much he dominated rebounding in the post-merger era, much more than anyone dominated any statistical category.

I'm gonna amend this and say that Moses Malone is a fairly close second post-merger.  But Rodman's definitely first.

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer.  

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons.  

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4.  

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other.  

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

[Bingbangbarros]

Based on what the HOF is, you don't really have to be a superstar therefore, Rodman probably deserves to be enshrined. I just have a hard time with someone who did not contribute offensively. There are scorers who don't play great defense but Rodman contributed close to nothing offensively for  most of his career. He averaged no more than 5.7 ppg for Chicago, scored more in Detroit but rebounded less. The Spurs could have def used his offense.

He was obviously a great defender and rebounder but that is all he had to do. That why Love's numbers are so impressive. He's averaging over 20p 15r. If he concentrated on just rebounding and defense there is no telling how many rebounds he could average and I think there are many guys like that who could rebound similiar but not equal to Rodman if that's all they did...I am a Rodman fan and he is definitely the best rebounder and a top defender of his era.

[fairweatherfan]

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer. 

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons. 

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4. 

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other. 

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

When compared to the league, sure Rodman was the best by a bigger margin than anyone else.  But this is mostly because the two guys with by far the most rebounds and the highest per-game average played in the same era.  You can't penalize Wilt and Russell for being born around the same time.  Rodman was the most dominant over his peers, but not the best ever. 

[RebusRankin]

Rodman's best season is lower than Bill Russell's worst.

[RebusRankin]

Mullin actually played exceptional for 6 years (87-93) but yes can see the argument either way.

[bdm860]

Mullin actually played exceptional for 6 years (87-93) but yes can see the argument either way.

I think one of the things helping Mullin is that it's not the NBA Hall of Fame, but the Basketball Hall of Fame, and Mullin had an amazing college career and an impressive Olympic resume.

3x Big East Player of the Year.
3x All American
National Player of the Year.
Final Four.

Plus he was a member of two of the best USA Olympic teams ever, '84 and '92.

Add all that to however many great years you think Mullin had in the NBA and his credentials look a lot more impressive.

[thirstyboots18]

There is nothing wrong with being a role player...Rodman's role was rebounding.  Would you rather have him take shots away from Michael Jordon?  Because he was such a great rebounder he allowed MJ and Scottie P. to concentrate more on the offensive end of the court. 

Do you remove Bob Cousy from the hall because he was not a shot blocker, or because Rondo has passed his in the assists per season numbers?  This is not a discussion of the fifteen best all time players...this is a discussion of whether the man belongs in the Hall of Fame.  He was a great rebounder, at 6'6", a forward,  leading the league seven times in rebounding and won 5 rings.  Of his seven years with the Pistons, he played in 82 games in five consecutive years...

[Moranis]

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer. 

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons. 

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4. 

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other. 

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

When compared to the league, sure Rodman was the best by a bigger margin than anyone else.  But this is mostly because the two guys with by far the most rebounds and the highest per-game average played in the same era.  You can't penalize Wilt and Russell for being born around the same time.  Rodman was the most dominant over his peers, but not the best ever. 

Bill's best season was 63-64 when he averaged 24.7 and grabbed a total of 1930.  The Celtics as a team grabbed 5736.  The league average was 5269 (65.826).  So Bill was 24.7/65.826 = 37.52%

Dennis' best season was 91-92 when he averaged 18.7 and grabbed a total of 1530.  The Pistons as a team grabbed 3631.  The league average was 3581 (43.67).  So Dennis was 18.7/43.67 = 42.82%

Dennis grabbed a higher % of available rebounds.  Every season is similar.  The pace was just so much greater back in the 60's then it was in the 90's.  

[Bingbangbarros]

First, Rodman was taller than 6'6. No, I wouldn't want him taking shots away from Jordan and others because he could not score and that would hurt the team.

I agree with the post above. People who look at Russel and Wilt's Rebounds per game need to look at Total Rebound %.  Those numbers are inflated because of shot attempts and more possessions.

[Fafnir]

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer.  

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons.  

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4.  

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other.  

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

When compared to the league, sure Rodman was the best by a bigger margin than anyone else.  But this is mostly because the two guys with by far the most rebounds and the highest per-game average played in the same era.  You can't penalize Wilt and Russell for being born around the same time.  Rodman was the most dominant over his peers, but not the best ever.  

Bill's best season was 63-64 when he averaged 24.7 and grabbed a total of 1930.  The Celtics as a team grabbed 5736.  The league average was 5269 (65.826).  So Bill was 24.7/65.826 = 37.52%

Dennis' best season was 91-92 when he averaged 18.7 and grabbed a total of 1530.  The Pistons as a team grabbed 3631.  The league average was 3581 (43.67).  So Dennis was 18.7/43.67 = 42.82%

Dennis grabbed a higher % of available rebounds.  Every season is similar.  The pace was just so much greater back in the 60's then it was in the 90's.  

Yeah Rodman was a better rebounder, but I think Russell was the better defender. Especially when you consider that Russell was a shot blocker, Rodman would get rebounding positon over rotating or shot blocking frequently.

I wonder who created more possession for their team?

[Moranis]

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer.  

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons.  

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4.  

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other.  

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

When compared to the league, sure Rodman was the best by a bigger margin than anyone else.  But this is mostly because the two guys with by far the most rebounds and the highest per-game average played in the same era.  You can't penalize Wilt and Russell for being born around the same time.  Rodman was the most dominant over his peers, but not the best ever.  

Bill's best season was 63-64 when he averaged 24.7 and grabbed a total of 1930.  The Celtics as a team grabbed 5736.  The league average was 5269 (65.826).  So Bill was 24.7/65.826 = 37.52%

Dennis' best season was 91-92 when he averaged 18.7 and grabbed a total of 1530.  The Pistons as a team grabbed 3631.  The league average was 3581 (43.67).  So Dennis was 18.7/43.67 = 42.82%

Dennis grabbed a higher % of available rebounds.  Every season is similar.  The pace was just so much greater back in the 60's then it was in the 90's.  

Yeah Rodman was a better rebounder, but I think Russell was the better defender. Especially when you consider that Russell was a shot blocker, Rodman would get rebounding positon over rotating or shot blocking frequently.

I wonder who created more possession for their team?

Bill was probably a better defender at his natural position, but he wasn't nearly as versatile as Rodman was.  Dennis could realistically guard 4 positions and do so at a very high level (he was an all time great defender at PF and early in his career at SF, and also very effective guarding SG's and C's for much of his career).  It still cracks me up watching the old film of Rodman guarding Shaq.  The shear size difference is hysterical, and yet the Worm was as effective as most against the Big Fella.

[Fafnir]

statistically when compared to league, Rodman is the greatest rebounder ever and it isn't close.  I'm not just talking post-merger, I mean ever.  He is the most dominant rebounder of all time and he has no peer.  

Prior to Rodman only Moses Malone led the league for even 5 straight seasons, Rodman did it 7 straight.  Moses Malone is also the only other person in history to lead the league by at least 4 rebounds a game.  He did it in 78-79.  Rodman did it 4 times, including 3 straight seasons.  

In 91-92 he led the league by 3.2 rebounds a game (it would have been more but Kevin Willis had a freaky career year), the following year he led it by 4.4 rebounds a game, went down to 4.1 rebounds a game in 93-94, went up to 4.5 in 94-95, 95-96 he only led the league by 2.7 rebounds a game, decided that wasn't good enough and went up to 4.5 a game again in 96-97, he finally started to tail off for good in 97-98 but still led the league by 2.4.  

Since the merger there have been 6 seasons of 16+ rebounds, Rodman has 5 of them with Moses having the other.  

Rodman has no peer in the rebounding department.

When compared to the league, sure Rodman was the best by a bigger margin than anyone else.  But this is mostly because the two guys with by far the most rebounds and the highest per-game average played in the same era.  You can't penalize Wilt and Russell for being born around the same time.  Rodman was the most dominant over his peers, but not the best ever.  

Bill's best season was 63-64 when he averaged 24.7 and grabbed a total of 1930.  The Celtics as a team grabbed 5736.  The league average was 5269 (65.826).  So Bill was 24.7/65.826 = 37.52%

Dennis' best season was 91-92 when he averaged 18.7 and grabbed a total of 1530.  The Pistons as a team grabbed 3631.  The league average was 3581 (43.67).  So Dennis was 18.7/43.67 = 42.82%

Dennis grabbed a higher % of available rebounds.  Every season is similar.  The pace was just so much greater back in the 60's then it was in the 90's.  

Yeah Rodman was a better rebounder, but I think Russell was the better defender. Especially when you consider that Russell was a shot blocker, Rodman would get rebounding positon over rotating or shot blocking frequently.

I wonder who created more possession for their team?

Bill was probably a better defender at his natural position, but he wasn't nearly as versatile as Rodman was.  Dennis could realistically guard 4 positions and do so at a very high level (he was an all time great defender at PF and early in his career at SF, and also very effective guarding SG's and C's for much of his career).  It still cracks me up watching the old film of Rodman guarding Shaq.  The shear size difference is hysterical, and yet the Worm was as effective as most against the Big Fella.

Perhaps, though I'm not sure how we could ever know that. I don't doubt a young Russell (similar to Tim Duncan/KG) could have done a lot of crazy things in switches.

Either way I don't think Rodman's defensive versatility would put him even close to Russell's overall defensive value. Especially when you consider than in an era with no three point shot that protecting the paint and help defense was at an even higher premium. (when comparing value based on their peers)

The only question I'd have in my mind comparing the two is without having turnovers, blocks, steals, and offensive rebounds its very hard to tell who created more possessions for his team.

As little offense as Russell chipped in overall he was still a bigger threat on that end than Rodman.

[Finkelskyhook]

Rodman's interview upon finding out was hysterical.  Delusional and filled with humility.