Dennis Rodman has never been one to hold back, and his latest take on the NBA proves that even at 60, he’s as outspoken as ever. The Hall of Famer, known for his dominance with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, recently appeared on the “Full Send” podcast and admitted he no longer enjoys watching the league.
In Rodman’s eyes, the modern game has lost its edge. He pointed to a lack of “intensity” and “competitiveness” compared to the bruising, physical era he thrived in. His biggest gripe? Watching today’s stars pull up from 30 and 40 feet. “That’s not basketball,” he said, taking an indirect shot at sharpshooters like Steph Curry and Damian Lillard.
Rodman’s frustration highlights just how much the NBA has evolved since his debut in 1986.
Back then, the three-point shot was a rarity, with teams averaging just 30% from beyond the arc. By the time he retired in 1998, the Chicago Bulls as a team were only attempting about 12 threes per game. Fast forward to today, and Steph Curry alone puts up more than that in a single night, while league-wide three-point percentages hover around 37%.
Rodman, however, acknowledged that even if he doesn’t care for this new brand of basketball, “a lot of kids love it,” showing he understands the generational shift.
Beyond his critiques of the game, Rodman remains one of sports’ most fascinating figures. His eccentric lifestyle—complete with neon hair, bold fashion choices, and even an unlikely friendship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un—has made him as much a cultural phenomenon as a basketball icon. He was prominently featured in Netflix’s hit docuseries The Last Dance, where fans got an inside look at his infamous midseason Vegas trip in 1998.
That story became so legendary it’s now being turned into a feature film, 48 Hours in Vegas, with Rodman himself attached as executive producer. Produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the movie aims to balance the wild hijinks of his Vegas escapade with a deeper look at how society treats individuals who dare to be unapologetically different.
Rodman’s colorful legacy also fuels the timeless barbershop debate: could the ’96 Bulls beat today’s Golden State Warriors?
The honest answer depends on the rules. Under the physical, hand-checking style of the ’90s, the Bulls’ grit and defensive tenacity would give them the edge. But under today’s fast-paced, three-point-heavy system, the Warriors’ spacing and shooting could overwhelm Chicago. Yet, if the Bulls were dropped into the modern era with time to adapt, they might be even more dangerous than people realize.
Toni Kukoc could slide into the perfect stretch-four role, Steve Kerr would thrive as a three-point specialist with today’s green light, and Dennis Rodman could defend multiple positions as a small-ball center. Surround all that with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen’s elite two-way play, and suddenly the Bulls don’t look outdated—they look unstoppable.
In the end, Rodman may not enjoy the NBA as it stands, but his own career and legacy remain as relevant as ever.
He represents a bridge between two very different eras of basketball, reminding fans just how much the game has changed—and sparking conversations about which version was better. Whether dominating the glass, stirring up headlines, or inspiring movies, Dennis Rodman continues to prove he’s more than just a basketball player. He’s a story that refuses to stop being told.
Sources:
https://www.nbastuffer.com/dennis-rodman-admits-nba-hard-to-watch/
https://lzylstra.medium.com/how-could-the-great-teams-of-nba-history-adjust-to-todays-style-of-basketball-dfa7bb1bd3ea
