I'm a younger dude, so my memories of basketball in the 90's are mostly related to the Dynasty, MJ, and Sega Genesis. A friend linked me to a series SI is doing on their "scariest covers" when I came across a cover photo featuring Dennis Rodman, and my only thought was: how the hell did he get away with being such a weird dude?

This is a question I'd love to ask B&B, but failing that, I ask you.

And it's not that I necessarily mind (then or now) how weird he was/is, but my impression of an adult reaction to / tolerance of Rodman is pretty much limited to family, friends, and neighbors from when I was a kid. I guess I just wonder how he got away with it then, and would someone in the NBA (or any other league) be able to get away with it now?

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If he's getting over 30 rebounds in a game, he could get away with it today.

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You know me like that.

Very true!

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He was an awesome player that showed heart and desire. He got into alot of trouble at times, but more often than not his cross dressing ways were for show and for book sales. He was a good salesman.

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rodman was actually one of my favorite players to watch.

Dennis Rodman's not afraid to push the envelope off the court, but while he didn't score that much, he really racked up plenty of rebounds when he played & basketball fans here seemed to admire what he did in helping the Bulls win their last 3 NBA Championships in the '90s.

Rodman was a very smart player on the court. Beneath all the ink and crazy hair, he was a guy that knew the game. I remember seeing him talk about rebounding and he talked about how he knew the angles and where he needed to be to get a shot at the ball. He perfected the tip drill for rebounding because he wasn't the biggest physically but maybe had a bigger desire to get after it. On defense, he knew when to play a guy close, when to take a charge and when to go for the block. He could also guard any position on the floor. He was never super skilled offensively but he set solid screens and got to the offensive glass. It's hard to compare him to anyone in the modern day. The closest guy in my mind (but he's a way better offensive player) is Tayshaun Prince.

He also got into people's heads and took players completely out of the game.

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The only Bulls game I saw live with MJ, was a 98-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Rodman had 18 rebounds in the first half....
he finished with 19.

it was the 90s afterall. grunge, pink hair, tats, goth kids. it was much nuttier then compared to today.

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@audioidkid

I think of Rodman's time with the Bulls and for some reason come up with:

1. McDonald's drink cups featuring his picture, where the hair changed color with the temperature.

2. All of the idiots jamming up the Kennedy to take photos of the Rodman mural on the side of whatever building it was.

That building still gets murals painted on it. But far tamer ones as LaSalle Bank and now Bank of America are stewards of the murals.

I liked Rodman painted on one site, and Jack Haley, hanging out in a La-z-boy on the other.

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Middle Aged Crazy, like Uncle Terry

If he was around in the age of O'Reily and Hannity he would have been hated even more. The guy was hated by most people. In Chicago he was loved but it's an open minded place that has produced and loved plenty of brilliant, talented and strange people.

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@audioidkid

Thanks Shark