Dennis Rodman is one of the most decorated forwards in NBA history, boasting five championships and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. However, if you ask All-Star power forward Rasheed Wallace about "The Worm's" defensive prowess, he will tell you it was all about his rebounding.
In a recent "Sheed and Tyler" podcast interview, Wallace claimed that Rodman's defensive reputation was overhyped and that he was only named DPOY due to his impressive rebounding numbers. This statement might surprise many fans, considering Dennis is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in NBA history.
Not a stopper
The former North Carolina Tar Heel arrived in the NBA in 1995, meaning he played Rodman in the twilight of his career. Nevertheless, he was the league's rebounding champ in three of his last five seasons. Additionally, Dennis was named First Team All-Defense in 1995 and was still a feared defender despite his age and the mileage on his body.
However, Wallace remained resolute in believing Rodman wasn't an elite defender.
"Rodman was known for his rebounding, though, you know what I'm saying? To me, no, he wasn't really stopping nobody like MJ (Michael Jordan)," Sheed said . "I definitely wanted him to guard me."
Wallace, though, did not hesitate to give Dennis his due as one of the game's all-time great rebounders. Despite being only 6-foot-7, the New Jersey native was relentless on the glass, inhaling rebounds at a historic rate. His unorthodox style of bouncing around the court and using his mastery of angles to outrebound taller opponents was unmatched.
"He's a great rebounder. I think that's why he was more of a defensive player: He was going to snatch them boards on both ends. That was his niche in the league: the glass. 22 points, 25 rebounds, light work. Two points, 25 boards, good night's work," Wallace conveyed.
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More of a defensive player in Detroit
Rasheed argued that Dennis was more of a lockdown defender during his time with the "Bad Boys" Detroit Pistons. This was never more evident than in his showdowns with Michael Jordan, who he relentlessly pursued in their many match-ups.
"Detroit was the first. That's where he was really active," Wallace asserted. "In Detroit, they caught a young Rodman, you know what I'm saying? I would definitely say he was more of a hellacious defender then for sure. I saw him as a Bo Outlaw type, you know. He's a one-man press. You know, he's gonna guard everybody. He's gonna try to guard the one, he's gonna try to guard the five, he's gonna try to guard the two."
Despite Rasheed's assertions, Rodman was a unique player who built his career on playing terrific defense and grabbing every loose ball possible. After all, you cannot earn the distinction of being named to the All-Defensive team eight straight times without having elite defensive chops.
Related: "I'm not the greatest defensive player in the world, so I get a lot of information from Dennis" – Mark Aguirre credits Dennis Rodman for defensive improvements in 1989
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