04/19/24
August 13, 2011
Dennis Rodman Joins Basketball Hall of Fame: Dennis Rodman entered the Basketball Hall of Fame Saturday, delivering an emotional speech in which he praised his coaches and teammates and pulled no punches about his own personal failings. "If anyone asks if I have any regrets in your career being a basketball player, I say I have one regret: I wish I was a better father," said Rodman, his three children in the audience. Rodman bitterly mentioned his own father Philander Rodman Jr., who has 27 children by four different wives and wrote a book about his son. "He made a lot of money, but he never came and said hello to me," Dennis Rodman said. "But that didn't stop me from persevering."
posted by rcade to basketball at 04:53 PM - 8 comments
That was riveting. Not sure the last time I saw someone be that see-through. It was almost like he didn't have any awareness that he was on TV. I came away from that with more respect for him, b/c (a) he made no pretense about his failures, (b) he was honest about the "persona" or "image" he tried to create for himself, & (c) he helped me understand just how tough he had it growing up. So few actually find a way to overcome those obstacles. He's a person with a lot of issues and struggles, admitted as much, but fought his butt off and found a way-good on him.
This video is great too: if nothing else, watch the press clip that starts around 2:40 in ... how many guys want that award that bad? How refreshing. I'm a sucker for the rudy-type (I also didn't realize how undersized he was) stories where athletes find a way, so I came away with a new found respect for the guy.
Now here's to hoping he does continue to grow as a member of his family.
posted by brainofdtrain at 08:17 PM on August 13, 2011
rcade: well said, my man. I loved watching Dennis Rodman play, always suspected he was working out some issues on the court because he played like he had something to prove. Great to see actual redemption take place right before your eyes.
posted by mikemacman at 09:50 PM on August 13, 2011
This graph does a really great job of showing how much Dennis Rodman was in his own world as a rebounder. It's part of a neat series arguing the areas, and by how much, Rodman dominated put him in discussion as one of the greatest players of all time.
As an undersized wing/post player in high school when Rodman was doing his thing, I used to obsess about his technique; his ability to time a block just before the player was able to go over his reach was outstanding. He gave those of us who were 5'11 and playing against 6'4 and 6'5 post players hope, and from that, determination, and some of us achieved a heck of a lot more than we would've without him.
I'm happy he was a first teamer and his heartfelt speech was awesome.
posted by dfleming at 08:27 AM on August 14, 2011
dfleming,
Great link & website-thanks for the heads up.
posted by brainofdtrain at 01:34 AM on August 15, 2011
Gotta like the guy. I am happy to see him in the HOF he deserves it. For a guy who was such a party animal off the court, his play on the court speaks for itself. A lot of guys do it with talent, Dennis Rodman did it with desire, effort and a will to succeed. I always remember his willingness to out work everybody on the court.
posted by Atheist at 02:08 PM on August 15, 2011
Holy cats! Rodman's father's first name was "Philander," which is an "er" from "philanderer." Which, as it happens, is what he was. Names can be destiny, man.
posted by Joey Michaels at 03:31 PM on August 15, 2011
Names can be destiny, man.
Exactly why I named my kid "Beerfetcher."
posted by dfleming at 05:05 PM on August 15, 2011
Michael Jordan used his speech to air every grudge he ever had against somebody. Dennis Rodman used his to air every grudge he had against himself.
You done good, Dennis!