Life for an NBA player can be glitzy and glamorous, especially if they are at the top of their game. Some players get so much notoriety that it can lead them down a path of destruction. I personally don’t know any NBA players who are friends of mine or whom I can give a firsthand account of. But I know what a little bit of fame and fortune can turn a person into.
Someone close to me was pursuing a music career. They became very notable locally and ended up on tour with a notable hip-hop artist. They traveled to many states and performed amazing shows, but the fame was going to their head.

They began to overindulge in smoking, drinking, and women, so much so that they neglected to put in the necessary work to make it to the next level in the music industry. They have the talent to reach the levels of a “Post Malone,” but the smoking, drinking, and women became so much of an addiction that they stopped pursuing a rap career and just wanted to live a life of ineptitude. 

So why am I telling you this story? Well, it relates to the troubles that the NBA player I am about to talk about has gone through in their basketball career and beyond. Dennis Rodman was born in Trenton, NJ, to his mother Shirley and Philander Rodman, Jr. Dennis’ father left his family early on in his life when his father moved to the Philippines and was rumored to have fathered over 26 children.

Dennis’ mother, Shirley, ended up moving to Dallas, where Dennis went to high school in a tough area. He tried to play for the South Oak Cliff High School basketball team but never got off the bench. During high school, he never got over 6 feet tall; however, when he reached college, attending Cooke County College, he reached the height of 6′ 7′. 

There, he became a monster at rebounding, averaging about 17 rebounds a game, but eventually flunked out of college. However, he went back to college a year later and ended up at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. There, in three seasons, he averaged 25.7 points and 15.7 rebounds. He also led his team to the NAIA semifinals, where he scored 46 points in a single game while grabbing a tournament-tying record 32 rebounds. The kid was a beast. 

During his college years, Rodman became friends with Bryne Rich, who lived in a rural Oklahoma town. Bryne’s family was thrilled to have Rodman as a friend. Thus, they let Rodman live with them during his college years. Naming the Riches his surrogate family helped Rodman get through his college years.

Having a stellar college career, Rodman was picked in the 2nd round by the Detroit Pistons in 1986. And if you know anything about the 1986 Pistons, their nickname was the Bad Boys. Players like Joe Dumar, Rick Mahorn, Isaiah Thomas, and Bill Laimbeer were a direct influence on Rodman as a rookie. 

They weren’t named the “Bad Boys” for no reason; their play on the court was brutal. As evidenced by Michael Jordan’s career, he was beaten and battered for many years until he was surrounded by a team that was just as tough. 

Rodman went on to play for several NBA teams, with the Bulls being his most notable stop. There, he won three Championships from 1996 to 1998. This made him a five-time Champion, two prior with the Pistons and three with the Bulls. So, the “Bad Boy” mentality he got by playing for the Pistons allowed him to bring that same energy to the Bulls.
Rodman, however, brought that “Bad Boy” mentality from the court into his everyday life off the court. His eccentric personality and behavior were a magnet to some high-profile women. In 1994, he had a brief but very public relationship with the pop singer Madonna. Being with her put him in the public eye, so much so that he would also date the very beautiful model and actress Carmen Electra.

Carmen, however, was mesmerized by Dennis; from her own admission, they had sex in several places in the Bulls stadium. Carmen stated, “It was crazy, like two kids in a candy store. We were eating Popsicles from the fridge and pretty much having sex all over the damn place — in the physical therapy room, in the weight room. Obviously on the court.”
With such high-profile relationships, it is a wonder that Dennis got married to Annie Bakes prior to his marriage to Carmen Electra. Although the marriage to Annie only lasted 82 days, they created a daughter named Alexis from this relationship.

In all, Dennis was married 3 times and has 3 kids out of those relationships. The life Dennis lived pretty much kept him from being totally locked in as a father to them. He continued to live the playboy life and, at the same time, fought alcoholism. He would eventually appear on the VH1 show “Celebrity Rehab” as he sought out help for his addiction. 

Amidst his troubles, Dennis was able to write several books, most of which detailed his struggles in life. His most notable book is “Bad As I Wanna Be,” published in 1996. On the cover, he is sitting naked on top of a motorcycle. 

Along with his books, Dennis has been featured in a multitude of movies, domestic and foreign. He also appeared on nWo as a guest wrestler with Hulk Hogan. Dennis was in the limelight throughout all of his early basketball years. I can just imagine the parties he attended, the things he saw, and the things he was involved in. 

Being around certain people could cause temptation to a formidable adversary. The evidence of this is that Dennis struggled with alcohol abuse. The consumption of it plagued him throughout his basketball career and a little beyond, thus his being on the VH1 show “Celebrity Rehab.”

But his addiction did not stop him from seeking to know other cultures and strive for world peace. With the many conflicts he had with teammates, Dennis sought to find peace within himself. In 2013, Dennis made an impromptu visit to North Korea and somehow befriended the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un. This was at a time when tensions were high globally, as North Korea was developing nuclear capabilities.

Dennis is still an enigma, so much so that he is still trying to mend the fence with his estranged daughter, Trinity. She plays soccer for the Washington Spirits. She was quoted saying, “He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.” Those words can be hurtful, especially if he is really trying to make up for lost time.

So, is there a silver lining in Dennis Rodman’s life and times? He was known for his ability to be one of the greatest rebounders there was. He has had a fascinating life, especially with the women he was able to date. He has had a troubled past but ultimately is seeking world peace.

In the end, many men would change places to live the life Dennis lived. But only one man can walk in those shoes, and that man is Dennis himself.