When it comes to high-risk sports, few individuals come to mind quite like Dennis Rodman. A 6’8″ former NBA star with an explosive motor, Rodman is most well known for his erratic behavior and outlandish on-court antics. While he may have entertained you night after night with his outrageous dunks and alley-oops, you may now wish you hadn’t listened to a word he said.
But why risk it all on a man whose career was built on one-of-a-kind performances that are now considered one of the great romances in NBA history?
Rodman’s Career Retrospect
To understand why many would consider Dennis Rodman to be the greatest hunchback to ever play sports, you have to go all the way back to 1985, when Rodman was selected in the first round of the NBA draft. At the time, he was a 6’4″ 23-year-old sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and he promptly set about redefining how people viewed the position.
Rodman was a classic playmaker with the ball in his hands, using his height and skill to orchestrate scoring drives for his teammates. However, it was his willingness to try anything that would help the team – even if it meant risking his own safety – that made him such a unique player. In 1985, he broke both his ankles in a freak bicycle accident that also left him with a bad case of frostbite. After missing the entire 1986–87 season, Rodman decided to forego all medical treatment and rehab, instead choosing to return to North Carolina as a freshman in 1987–88 and earn his PhD in Biochemistry.
While Rodman had long since proven his worth as a basketball player, he was still regarded with suspicion by many in the sports world as a result of his accident. But now, following in the footsteps of Michael Jordon and a host of other superstar ballers, Rodman is a beloved member of the Chicago Bulls, having been selected to play a pivotal role in Michael Jordan’s historic comeback season.
Why You Should Consider Denny Rodman
The fact that Rodman is still performing at such a high level at age 47 is testament to his incredible dedication and work ethic. But his willingness to engage in high-risk and ultimately, sometimes, dangerous escapades also makes him an invaluable asset to any team. Just ask the Chicago Bulls. Or the Houston Rockets.
Yes, Rodman’s on-court antics may sometimes turn your stomach, but it’s all in the name of entertainment. Even back in 1989, when Rodman was considered one of the worst villains in NBA history, people came to watch his games, even if they were on the fence about whether or not to cheer for him. Nowadays, you’re more likely to find yourself in the opposing camp, yet you watch in awe as Rodman single-handedly dismantles entire teams with his unorthodox yet brilliant playmaking. Which is exactly what makes him a great choice for gamblers looking to place a wager on the outcome of a sporting event. Especially since he’s still willing to do anything for his team, even if it means putting himself in harm’s way.
The Incredible Meme Runs Amok
While his on-court persona may not be for the faint of heart, Rodman certainly has a heart of gold. As a result of his odd upbringing and lack of familial and societal guidance, he is incredibly loyal and protective of those he cares about. This especially applies to his friendships with comedians, which often leads him to take on roles that are completely beyond his athletic capabilities. But this doesn’t mean that everything he does is funny. In fact, due to his well-documented loyalty to his friends, you’d be wise to treat anything Rodman does with a grain of salt.
Take, for example, Rodman’s infamous 1998 appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy!, in which he famously answered all questions about NBA players despite knowing nothing about the game aside from the basics. Or how about this year’s NBA All-Star Game, in which he was named the MVP after helping the North squad to a 137–134 victory over the South team? Rodman accomplished this despite knowing absolutely nothing about either the rules or the strategy of the game, and in fact, even managed to confuse commentator Jack McCall for a bit before the latter realized what was going on.
While you may question Rodman’s logic and athletic ability, there’s no doubting his entertainment value. And while you may find his antics to be irritating at times, you also can’t help but admire his willingness to go above and beyond what’s necessary to win. This is why he’s such an attractive option to gamblers, who can bet on his unpredictable and ultimately, oftentimes, fortunate performances.
An Opportunity to Make Some Extra Cash
If you’ve ever watched professional wrestling, you may have seen wrestlers engage in ‘jobbing’, in which they take on additional jobs in addition to their normal day-to-day activities. Rodman is a living example of this ethos, having worked as a radio sports host, pizza delivery boy, and shoe repairer in addition to his duties on the court. And while many professional wrestlers only do so for the money, it’s clear that Rodman is driven by a desire to entertain his audience, not to mention, make extra cash.
As a result, and also because of his fame, you can earn money by betting on Rodman. Not only that, but you can also make some serious money if you know where to place your wager. One of the best places to do this is Paddy Power, a well-known Irish betting company. You’ll find a number of lucrative wagers available, including this year’s NBA Playoffs, where you can bet on the Chicago Bulls to win the North Division or the Los Angeles Lakers to capture the West.
The key is finding value wagers, which are those situations where you believe the odds are in your favor, but the bookmaker isn’t confident enough in the predicted outcome to offer huge betting odds.
Where Can I Bet?
Nowadays, you don’t have to look far to find online resources where you can place your wagers on high-risk endeavors. In fact, if you’ve got an Apple ID, you can access the sports app Agora, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. On this app, you’ll find a vast array of sports, with odds that are usually favorable to bettors. Most apps and websites offer similar types of odds, making it easy to place a wager, regardless of whether you’ve got a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Many people now find themselves in a position to be able to bet on almost any game or event, thanks to the proliferation of online gambling websites and apps. This has made it much easier for people to place wagers on teams and players they’re passionate about. For example, the Warriors vs. Rockets series is a fascinating clash of two of the most innovative and dynamic teams in the NBA. But it’s extremely difficult to find a betting site that will take bets on regular season NBA games, due to the unpredictability of the outcome.
Bottom Line
So what’s the verdict? Is Dennis Rodman the greatest hunchback to ever play sports? Or is he just a big-appled-red-blooded-wrestling-entertainer, whose antics should be disregarded and whose success is simply a matter of dumb luck? The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Rodman is undoubtedly deserving of his accolades as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and he’s definitely entertaining to watch. But we shouldn’t let his antics and his success in the face of medical adversity fool us into thinking that he’s some kind of basketball savant. Because the fact is that he’s only able to play this game because he’s been blessed with phenomenal genes, an incredible work ethic, and – most of all – an utter lack of fear.