Sports
Dennis Rodman
born 1961 · basketball player, forward
Bad Boys-era Pistons forward and defensive specialist who won back-to-back NBA titles with Detroit in 1989 and 1990 and became one of the greatest rebounders in league history.
- Born
Trenton, New Jersey
age 65- Birth name
- Dennis Keith Rodman
- Also known as
- The Worm
- Detroit years
- 1986–1993
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Rodman arrived in Detroit in 1986 as a second-round pick out of Southeastern Oklahoma State, an unlikely fit for coach Chuck Daly's physical, defense-first "Bad Boys." He grew into the role, guarding centers, forwards and guards alike, and became the emotional engine of a team built to grind opponents down. In 1989 the Pistons swept the Los Angeles Lakers for the franchise's first championship, and in 1990 they beat the Portland Trail Blazers for a second straight title, with Rodman contributing relentless defense and offensive rebounding. He led the NBA in rebounding for the first of what became seven straight seasons while still in Detroit and won his first Defensive Player of the Year award there. After the Bad Boys broke up, Rodman was traded to San Antonio in 1993 and later built his wilder, more famous persona elsewhere, but Detroit is where his Hall of Fame career, and his legend, began. The Pistons retired his No. 10 in 2011.
Highlights
- Won back-to-back NBA championships with the Pistons in 1989 and 1990
- Anchored the "Bad Boys" defense that ended the Boston Celtics' dynasty
- Began his NBA-record streak of seven straight rebounding titles in Detroit
- Pistons retired his No. 10 in 2011; inducted into the Hall of Fame the same year
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1986–1988
Pontiac Silverdome
Demolished · 1975–2017
Pistons' home when Rodman was a rookie, before the team moved to the Palace in 1988; demolished in 2017–2018.
Played here · 1988–1993
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Demolished · 1988–2020
Pistons' arena where Rodman won his second championship in 1990; demolished in 2020.