I've Got Worms!

"I go out there and get my eyes gouged, my nose busted, my body slammed. I love the pain of the game" - Dennis Keith Rodman

There's the saying... "we're all unique in our own special way". Well Dennis Rodman took this to the next level and beyond. Whether you're fifteen years old or fifty... if you're reading this blog... then you're probably a sports enthusiast who has either witnessed Mr. Rodman "on the court", "off the court", or hopefully both.

Last night, he was honored for his basketball accomplishments by being inducted into The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. While a lot of NBA superstars are recognized for their offensive skills, The Worm is known for his defense and rebounding abilities.

Here are just a few of his basketball achievements from his 14 year career:

5x NBA Champion

2x NBA All-Star

2x NBA Defensive Player of the Year

7x NBA All-Defensive First Team

4x NBA Rebound Leader

4,329 Career Offensive Rebounds (4th All-Time in NBA)

7,625 Career Defensive Rebounds (16th All-Time in NBA)

11,954 Career Rebounds (22nd All-Time in NBA)

I'll admit... I wasn't really a Rodman fan until he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1998-99. The fact is... his Detroit Pistons kicked the Lakers' butts to end the 80's and kickoff the 90's... and he didn't become more popular by my standards when went to the Chicago Bulls in the midst of their dynasty.

These days, I look at the big picture and can appreciate everything he's given to his employers, his teammates, and of course his fans. So this post is my tribute to The Worm.

Today... I have two questions for you...

What adjectives would you use to describe The Worm?

&

When you picture The Worm playing basketball, what uniform is he wearing and what color is his hair?

Zany, Athletic, Outlandish, Colorful, Extraordinary, Talented, Arrogant, Eccentric, Confident, and Loud

This is the list of words my friend and I came up with to describe The Worm.

And although I was glad to see him play for the Lakers, I'll always remember him as one of Detroit's Bad Boys... with Isaiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, John Salley, Vinnie Johnson, Bill Laimbeer, and of course Chuck Daly.

So one more round of applause for Dennis Rodman and the rest of Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2011... which includes Chris Mullin, Teresa Edwards, Tara Vanderveer, Arvydas Sabonis, Reece "Goose" Tatum, Artis Gilmore, Tom "Satch" Sanders, Herb Magee, and Tex Winter.

I can't believe my summer is officially over. On Monday, I go back to work... and by next Wednesday... I'll be in front of the room with my new group of seventh graders. So... I'll be enjoying every minute of it. I hope you do too. Stay safe & sayonara!