The Worm vs The Winner

I miss Dennis Rodman, too … and share with other Hoops Crazies (like Kelly Dwyer) an almost inexhaustible appreciation for (i) the way ‘The Worm’ played the game – ‘full throttle‘, at all times – and, (ii) the single best attribute of  his generally under-appreciated ‘game’, his seemingly unparalleled ability to just ‘go & get it’. 

As an NBA ‘original’ … Dennis Rodman was, without question, the best rebounding (and, perhaps, as well, defensive) player I’ve ever seen … who stood under 6’9, in his stocking feet.

That said … ‘The Worm’ who patrolled the hardwood and devoured the glass, unrelentingly, first and foremost for the Pistons’ ‘Bad Boyz’ and, secondarily for Da (‘best-team-of-all-time’) Bulls (beside MJ & Pip) … remains only the 2nd Best Rebounder, in the history of the NBA, according to these eyes.

When comparing ‘Glass Masters’ across eras (and with no insult intended toward ‘The Worm’), there remains today one other ‘Gentlemen Giant ‘ (of The Game) who still reigns supreme above the ‘Rainbow Haired, Flesh-embroidered, Human Pin Cushion’, in terms of sheer ‘Rebounding Proficiency’.

During his illustrious career, the indominable Bill Russell (Boston Celtics, C, 6’9) … who collected 11 NBA Championships over a span of 13 years … is still most deserving of the title, “Best Rebounder in NBA history”.

And, when it comes to deciding which one of these two ‘Pantheons of Hoop’ I miss more – although the similarity between their images can, at certain times, be striking …

 vs

… it isn’t even remotely close.

“There are two types of superstars (in the NBA). One makes himself look good at the expense of the other guys on the floor. But there’s another type who makes the players around him look better than they are, and that’s the type (Bill) Russell was.” — Don Nelson

In our lifetime, we will never see His kind again.

Tags: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons, Kelly Dwyer