On Saturday night, the Chicago Bulls will add another iconic name to the rafters when they retire Derrick Rose’s jersey.
It’s a moment many fans have waited years for, honoring the hometown MVP who carried the franchise through a post-dynasty era and gave Chicago basketball fans hope again.
Rose will now sit alongside legends like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love, and Jerry Sloan. But as that ceremony approaches, it’s also sparked a much louder conversation among Bulls fans about who should be next.
One name keeps coming up again and again: Dennis Rodman.
Fans Say His Jersey Should Be Retired
As soon as the discussion hit social media, the response was overwhelming. Bulls fans didn’t just politely suggest Rodman’s jersey should be retired—they treated it like an overdue correction.
The general sentiment was that if Rose’s number is going up, Rodman’s case should be even stronger. While a few dissenting voices argued that Rodman wasn’t a franchise cornerstone in the traditional sense, they were drowned out by fans who remember exactly how vital he was to one of the greatest runs in NBA history.
Rodman’s legacy is complicated, loud, and impossible to ignore. His No. 10 jersey is already retired by the Detroit Pistons, where he first made his name as a defensive menace and rebounding machine. Drafted in 1986, Rodman wasn’t a scorer or a flashy star, but he quickly became indispensable.
He led the league in rebounding multiple times and was a central piece of the Bad Boy Pistons teams that won back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. Those teams were built on toughness, defense, and intimidation, and Rodman embodied all of it.
After Detroit, his career took a turn toward chaos.
The Man Who Wore Many Jerseys
His stint with the San Antonio Spurs showcased both his brilliance and his volatility. It was also the era when Rodman’s off-court persona exploded.
Dyed hair, piercings, tattoos, tabloid headlines, and a very public relationship with Madonna turned him into something the NBA hadn’t really seen before: a player who was just as famous for who he was as how he played. Love him or hate him, Rodman became a cultural figure, not just a basketball one.
Then came Chicago.
When the Bulls traded for Rodman in 1995, it felt risky at the time. Michael Jordan had returned from baseball, the team was chasing another dynasty, and Rodman’s reputation for unpredictability was already well-earned.
But what followed was one of the most perfect basketball marriages imaginable. Rodman didn’t need shots or spotlight. He needed rebounds, defense, and chaos—and the Bulls needed exactly that.
Rodman became the missing piece that pushed Chicago back into the stratosphere. He anchored the paint, guarded multiple positions, and did all the dirty work that allowed Jordan and Pippen to dominate offensively.
During his time with the Bulls, Rodman won four more rebounding titles, completing a remarkable seven-year stretch as the league’s best rebounder. He was relentless, fearless, and completely unapologetic in how he played.
But Not Without Controversy...
Rodman’s aggressive style sometimes crossed the line. There were incidents with referees, a kicked cameraman, and endless headlines questioning his behavior.
But even critics had to admit one thing: when it came time to win, Rodman showed up. The Bulls three-peated again from 1996 to 1998, and Rodman was a critical part of that run. Take him out of that equation, and the dynasty looks very different.
Just as important, Rodman’s popularity in Chicago was massive. He wasn’t just tolerated—he was embraced.
Fans loved his edge, his honesty, and his willingness to be different in a league that often rewards conformity. He gave the Bulls an identity that extended beyond basketball and into pop culture. For a time, Rodman was as recognizable as Jordan, just in a completely different way.
That affection hasn’t faded. In March 2024, Rodman received a standing ovation at a Bulls game, a reminder that Chicago still holds a soft spot for The Worm. Generations of fans remember his hustle, his defense, and the way he made winning plays without caring how they looked in the box score.
The Legend Will Remain a Legend
Jersey retirements are supposed to honor players who define eras, elevate franchises, and leave lasting marks on a team’s history.
By that standard, Rodman checks every box. He may not have been drafted by Chicago, and he may not have been the face of the franchise, but he was essential to one of the greatest dynasties the sport has ever seen.
As Derrick Rose rightfully takes his place in the rafters, the conversation feels inevitable. If the Bulls are telling the full story of their greatness, Dennis Rodman’s name belongs up there too.
Regardless, Rodman's legacy will never waver. He's an icon, with his face gracing the front of t-shirts and some of his signature products, like the Rodman Dry+ Nicotine Pouches. It's safe to say, retired jersey or not, his status as an NBA legend is eternal.
Source:
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