"That is the only thing that would make my life worthwhile" - When Dennis Rodman revealed his biggest individual career goal

Dennis Rodman 's unique personality extended beyond his off-court antics to his professional goals, which truly distinguished him as a player. After completing his seven-season stint with the Detroit Pistons, during which he won two NBA championships and led the league in scoring twice.

However, when questioned about his 'ultimate dream' in the NBA, The Worm's response skewed conventional metrics such as dropping career-high points or blocks. Instead, he articulated such a goal that showcased his desire to be The King of Rebounding.

Rodman's ultimate individual dream

By the time Dennis left the Pistons, he had established himself as one of the league's most impactful rebounders. His career-high tally of 34 rebounds came in a game against the Indiana Pacers on March 4, '92.

So, in his interview before facing his former team as a member of the San Antonio Spurs in the 1993-94 season, Rodman candidly revealed his ultimate aspiration was to grab 40 rebounds in a single game.

"I sure hope so; that would be the ultimate dream for me to give to my child. That is the only thing that would make my life worthwhile from here on. That is the goal you probably can't achieve now in this game, but one day, it's going to happen, and when I do get it, that ball is mine, " Dennis said. "After that, I'm flying right to Sacramento and giving the ball to my child."

Related: "The guy never gets tired" - Dennis Rodman played 45 minutes in a game then hit the weight room

Dennis never achieved his dream

Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star never achieved his ambition of securing 40 rebounds in a single game, with his career-high remaining 34 during his time with the Bad Boy Pistons.

However, he did demonstrate his ability to single-handedly transform a team into a winning force by leading the league in rebounding during both seasons with the Spurs, proving to be the formidable presence needed to complement David Robinson. While the Spurs duo did not mesh well, Rodman's determination to establish himself as the King of Rebounding certainly aided Robinson in leading the Spurs more effectively.

Dennis The Menace likely did not realize at the time that achieving 40 rebounds in a single game would have positioned him just behind legends like Nate Thurmond, Bill Russell, and Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA history books. However, his ability to lead the league in rebounding for seven consecutive seasons as a mere 6'7" forward will always underscore his dominance and cement his status as of of the best in that aspect of the game.

Related: "The guy never gets tired" - Dennis Rodman played 45 minutes in a game then hit the weight room