Looking back at when Dennis Rodman was on the Los Angeles Lakers
For all of you that do not know, or perhaps you do not remember, Dennis Rodman was once a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, that’s correct. The worm once donned the Purple and Gold.
It was a time when the Los Angeles Lakers were in a shaky place. (Sounds like the opening narration of a post-apocalyptical film right?) They were sort of in limbo. So many different things were going on at the time that Rodman signing with the Lakers either added to the craziness or was kind of expected given the circumstances.
The year was 1998-99. Del Harris was the head coach. Shaq and Kobe were large and in charge. Eddie Jones, Rick Fox, Derek Harper, Elden Campbell, Corey Blount and Sean Rooks rounded out the rest of the roster. It was also the year the NBA had a lockout and therefore, there were only 50 games that season.
There sure was a lot going on that year. Some of the players were tired of head coach Del Harris, Shaq and Kobe were feuding, Jerry Buss wanted to win, and Jerry West was doing all he could to put the perfect Laker team together.
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They say that in order for good things to happen, there has to be some sort of unexpected and rough times at first.
That was true for these Los Angeles Lakers.
Dennis Rodman, who was not with any team at the time, signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. It was a move that many questioned but others saw as a step in the right direction. After all, this was Rodman we are talking about. One of the greatest rebounders of all time as well as a great defender and a member of the back-to-back champion Detroit Pistons in 88-89, and 89-90.
Rodman was also a key piece of the Chicago Bulls dynasty from 95-96, 96-97, and 97-98 when they won titles with Pippen, Jordan, and Phil Jackson. Why wouldn’t he be a good fit for the Los Angeles Lakers?
Well, it only lasted for 23 games. In that time, he averaged 2.1 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game. The Lakers released him that April. To be honest, I loved seeing Rodman wearing the Lakers jersey. I thought he was a great addition but the NBA at the time was always finding a way to come after him. Oh well, things happen right?
That was a crazy year. Just before Rodman signed, head coach Del Harris was fired. Assistant coach Bill Bertka filled in for one game and former Laker Kurt Rambis was hired as the head coach.
Not too long after Rodman was released, Eddie Jones and Elden Campbell were traded to the Charlotte Hornets for Glen Rice, J.R. Reid, and B.J. Armstrong. These were moves that would sculpt the Lakers for the next season when they would win the first of three consecutive titles. They finished the year 31-19 and were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.
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It may have been a short ride for Rodman but it was all rather exciting for we Laker fans. Seeing him hustling up and down the court with his high knees and blonde hair was amazing as he grabbed rebounds, and dove all over the floor. No one could ever say he didn’t hustle. You have to love the worm!