January 1994 Epitomizes Rodman’s Legacy
Dennis Rodman was never much of a scorer in the NBA, averaging just 5.8 field goal attempts per game for his 14-season career. He instead prided himself on his gritty defense, legendary rebounding, and tenacious loose-ball mentality. Rodman is most famous and recognized for his roles on the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons’ teams in the late 80s and early 90s, as well as the iconic Chicago Bulls’ threepeat teams from 1995-1998. The best example of why Rodman is a top 75 player of all-time, however, might very well be this month in the 1993-1994 season that he spent with the San Antonio Spurs.
During the month of January, Dennis Rodman averaged just 3.3 points per game, but an astounding 17.5 rebounds per game, including a game with 32 rebounds. That total has been surpassed just once since that game (36, Charles Barkley in 1996). The games that month that were perhaps even more impressive were three games in which Rodman pulled down an excessive-amount of rebounds and never shot the ball once.
99 minutes played, no field goal attempts, no free throw attempts, and 54 rebounds. There are only five such games all-time with 15+ rebounds and no field goal attempts or free throw attempts. Rodman had three of them in the same three-week span during January 1994.
Game-Leading 36 minutes, 20 rebounds, 0 FGA, 0 FTA
On January 25th, 1994, Rodman had his best 15+ rebound, no shot attempt, game of his career. With David Robinson leading the scoring surge for the Spurs with 31 points and Terry Cummings and J.R. Reid adding 14 points and 19 points respectfully, Rodman was simply asked to do what he does best; Rebound. He was coming off of the bench at the time and recorded a game high 36 minutes played and a game high 20 rebounds. No one else on either team had more than nine rebounds.
In his 36 minutes, Rodman was also the only Spur in the game to not have any field goal attempts. He did record one block, one steal, and one assist along with his two turnovers and two personal fouls. The Spurs went on to route the Sacramento Kings 107-91 in a game that showcased why the undersized, skinny kid from Southeastern Oklahoma State University is now in the Hall-of-Fame.
