Rodman amazed at his lasting popularity
For a guy who has lived life to the max and has seemingly seen and done everything, it was kind of surprising to see how much the past few months of that life have affected Dennis Rodman.
“It’s crazy. When they retired my number in Detroit it was April 1st and they were playing Chicago,” said Rodman, who just days later was inducted into the Hall of Fame. “And my birthday was last week; I turned 50, and now I’m coming here for the game here — it’s incredible, man.
“Just the fact that people still love you, still like what your doing.”
Oh they do.
When the sellout crowd at the UC spotted Rodman zig-zagging his way to center court prior to Game 2, the buzz began. And then when he was introduced and made the honorary game ball presentation, well, the place exploded.
All this for a guy who earlier this week had this to say when asked about having a best friend in life: “If I had a best buddy, it would probably be Dennis Rodman.”
He added at least 23,000 more Wednesday. Though many of those were probably old friends he forgot he had.
“It’s amazing that after all these years — I retired at 38 years old — people are still talking about me,” said Rodman, still sporting a handful of facial piercings. “Other players that have been in the league the last 10, 15 years, you don’t hear about them.
“Of all the guys in the world, they said that ‘he was a troublemaker, that he was an (bleep), he did this he did that, he was late to practice’ ... well I’m still being talked about.”
And then he started choking up.
“I did make the Hall of Fame, I turned 50 and did all this stuff, and then I’m here ...”
And just as quickly he was gone, disappearing behind a temporary screen and out of the spotlight.
For now.