Dennis Rodman Believed Pistons Made Mistake Retiring His No. 10 Jersey: ‘I Didn’t Deserve That’

The Detroit Pistons retired Dennis Rodman’s No. 10 jersey in 2011 at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Ironically, the ceremony occurred at halftime on April 1, 2011, during a Pistons-Chicago Bulls game. Rodman won two NBA championships with the Pistons and three with the Bulls. 

While Rodman was emotional about his jersey getting retired by the Pistons, he told Graham Bensinger in 2011 that Detroit shouldn’t have retired his jersey.

“I didn’t deserve that,” Rodman said. “I wasn’t there long enough to get my number retired. I mean, it would be different if it was more like OK great, I was a very major part of that organization. I was more like a piece of the puzzle. I was there for seven years. I actually didn’t become someone noticeable probably my third year, fourth year in that organization, and after that, it pretty much went downhill. I think I shouldn’t have got my number retired.”

The Pistons drafted Rodman with the 27th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft out of Southeastern Oklahoma State University. When the pick was made, no one could have predicted what Rodman ended up accomplishing in the NBA.

Despite only averaging 7.3 points per game during his NBA career, Rodman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rodman appeared in 549 games with the Pistons during the regular season. He averaged 8.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks while shooting 53.7% from the field.

Rodman was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991. He led the league in rebounds per game two times while playing for the Pistons and helped Detroit win back-to-back championships against the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers.

Rodman is fifth in Pistons franchise history in total rebounds. He grabbed 6,299.

Rodman is also fifth in rebounds per game and holds the team record for most rebounds in a game with 34.

Rodman only played three years with the Bulls, but he contributed mightily to their three-peat. The forward led the NBA in rebounds per game during his three years in Chicago and was a monster on defense.

Rodman averaged 5.2 points and 15.3 rebounds in 199 games with the Bulls. Many Chicago fans believe the franchise should retire No. 91 since Rodman won three championships and is first in Bulls history in rebounds per game.

Four numbers have been retired by the Bulls. Only time will tell if Rodman’s No. 91 goes up in the rafters next to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love.