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Dennis Rodman has done some truly amazing things during his 14-year NBA career—but mostly—he did insane stuff. In celebration of "The Worm" rather miraculously surviving 51 years on this planet, we're counting down his 20 craziest moments. He's headbutted referees and kicked cameramen, but he also married Carmen Electra for four months, so it's kind of a wash . Here's a 20 slide crash-course on how to be a truly colorful individual. These are Dennis Rodman's 20 Craziest Moments.
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20. Taco Dennis
Year: 1998
Going to NBA games can be a lot of fun. You could see a stadium-wide brawl, shattered backboard, or, if your team scores over 110-points, you may get a free taco! Such was the case in a regular season game against the Bucks, when Rodman hit a pair of three pointers late in the fourth quarter to secure fried tortillas filled with chopped meat for 25,000 screaming fans. Firing up uncontested threes late in a blow-out is usually reason enough to throw punches, but Milwaukee understood that in the pursuit of free food, nothing is in poor taste.
19. Hall of Fame Speech
Year: 2011
Hall of Fame speeches are usually long-winded, pathetic attempts for former stars to desperately cling to their final moments in the spotlight. They're typically boring and vapid, but per usual, nothing was normal about Dennis Rodman's sign off. He spoke of his failures as a father and a husband. He went in depth about his wild persona and desire to be a colorful individual. The speech was a contrite, tearful last gasp; incredibly honest, and yes, a little crazy.
18. "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur"
Year: 2004
Now, everyone poses naked for PETA. But before it was a played, shock-for-shocks-sake marketing gimmick, Rodman was giving the distinguished honor of being the first male to go buck for animals. According to The Worm, he'd always rejected wearing animals in photo-shoots and was “embarrassed” when his ex-wife would rock fur.
17. All the Way Turnt Up
Year: 2010
At a late summer party in the Hamptons, Rodman connected to a cordless microphone and made some of those irritating, drunken shout-outs to friends. Then, he rounded up a half dozen “ladies” and brought them to an upstairs bedroom, all the while, forgetting to turn his microphone off. Partygoers were treated to a detailed and sexually explicit dialogue from Rodman, conveniently broadcast over the sound system at the pool party. His agent would later clarify, "He was unaware of the microphone being turned on…I do know he had a few drinks in him."
16. Strapped Up
Year: 1993
A lot of celebrities and athletes are pseudo-crazy, artistic-crazy, or crazy competitive; but Rodman is a special type of bat shit that you can't fake. In fact, he once slept in the cab of his pickup with a rifle in his lap. With his truck parked in the completely vacant lot outside the Palace of Auburn Hills, Rodman contemplated blowing his head off with a shotgun. He'd detail in his book Bad as I Wanna Be, that the somber night renewed his lease on life.
15. The Mavericks Days
Year: 1999
In the twilight of his career, Rodman was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. The Texas native was supposed to be rejuvenated by the move, but it ended up being a complete disaster. Rodman played 12 games for the Mavs, was ejected from two, and ultimately waived by the team less than two months into his tenure. Mavs point-guard Steve Nash would say of the debacle, “[Rodman] never wanted to be a Maverick.”
14. Board Game
Year: 1992
Rebounds, like free throws, are things you need to win basketball games but aren't quite as flashy as tomahawk dunks or buzzer-beating three-pointers. That is, unless it's Dennis Rodman throwing bicycle kicks and elbows to clean up the glass. The Pistons forward snagged an unbelievable 34 rebounds in an overtime game against the Pacers. His 16 offensive rebounds were especially appropriate because, if there's one thing the incredibly crazy Rodman needed, it was second chances.
13. Celebrity Rehab
Year: 2009
You know you've done some crazy shit when you end up across the table from Dr. Drew. His time on VH1's Celebrity Rehab was soft-spoken but incredibly compelling. During an episode of Dr. Drew's spinoff Sober House, Rodman was reunited with his mother (from whom he'd been estranged for seven years). His mother also met tow of Rodman's children for the first time. While on the show he claimed to have his alcohol use “under control,” but was thrown out of a bar for disruptive behavior on the night of the show's premiere.
12. Domestic Dennis
Year: 2003, 2008
Truly crazy people, by definition, do insane things and Rodman is no exception. Rodman's twice been arrested for domestic violence and was charged by the city of Los Angeles for spousal battery, brandishing a deadly weapon and dissuading a witness. Rodman allegedly hit a woman at his Newport home in '03 and was arrested again for smacking his then-girlfriend in hotel room four years ago.
11. Double Team
Year: 1999
If you've seen Double Team, then you've had a crash course in how to waste two hours. Life is precious, moments are fleeting, and the action flick starring Dennis Rodman (huh?) is one crazy, senseless, clusterfuck of a film. Critics destroyed the movie as well as Rodman's performance, which earned “Razzies” for “Worst New Star,” “Worst Supporting Actor,” and shared “Worst Screen Couple” with co-star Jean-Claude Van Damme.
10. Comeback Fail
Year: 2003
It's one thing to feel like you can come back at age 45. It's another thing altogether to actually try to do it for three years and fail pretty horribly. In '03, Rodman staged an epic comeback plan where he would start out in the ABA or a developmental team and once he got back into game shape, end up on a NBA team midseason. Three years later, stuff like the above video was happening to him. #antoinewalkerstatus
9. Make It Rain On 'Em
Year: 2012
Last month, the Worm put rumors of his being broke down when he made it rain in a random department store for the TMZ cameras. We ain't mad at ya Dennis, but something tells us you did the celebrity versions of The Apprentice, The Mole, and Big Brother for more than just bettering yourself. In fact, based on your spot on this list, we know those appearances were for the money.
8. The World Tour
Year: 1996
The Worm had his "I made it!" moment when he got his own TV show on MTV. The premise was that Rodman would travel the world and meet up with random celebrities. What was great about this show: David Alan Greer does some voice overs, and there's a fair share of awkward celebrity moments. What was even greater about this show: Kelsey Grammer, Jay Leno, and Whoopi Goldberg have to explain themselves.
7. Bird is Overrated "Because He's White"
Year: 1987
Before he had the funky hair colors, tats, and piercings Rodman was a young guy on the Pistons who was not afraid to speak his mind. After the Celtics handed them a playoff defeat in '87, the Worm spout off at the mouth about Larry Bird saying the only reason he won three MVPs was "because he's white" and that he was also "overrated in a lot of areas." Sorry Dennis, you don't average 26, 10, and 7, and win two titles in that three-year MVP reign because you're white.
6. L-U-V Madonna
Year: 1994
Looks like celeb ladies had a thing for the Worm cause he managed to hook up with megastar and equally unique, Madonna back in '94. The relationship only lasted for two months but during the wildly publicized fling, Rodman claims the singer demanded that he impregnate her and tried multiple times. Dennis openly admitted later that he also thought her music sucked but that he could have married her if he wanted to. #badboysfinishfirst
5. Boneheaded Move
Year: 1996
Rodman let the world know two things during this game of the '96 season: nobody's safe when he's pissed off, and he really just doesn't give a fuck. After being ejected from one of his badder games, the Worm went on a tirade that climaxed with a headbutt to the referee who sent him off. Dennis then proceeded to rip off his jersey and push over some Gatorade bins as a young Phil Jackson laughed on the sideline. #nothingmatterswhenyourewinning
4. The Worm Hits the Ring
Year: 1998
And the NWO's newest member is...Dennis Rodman? Yep, Dennis the Menace hooked up with the New World Order in '97 and put on a show we all enjoyed with the "Mailman" Karl Malone at the '98 Bash at the Beach. Easily one of the coolest off the court NBA player moments on TV, Rodman played the heel wrestler role brilliantly and picked up a win. #whereyouatronron?
3. A Match Made in...?
Year: 1998
If there was a pantheon for weird celebrity marriages, this would have to be towards the top. In November of '98 Rodman gained street cred from dudes around the world when he shacked up with the crazy hot Baywatch star at the time, Carmen Electra. Striking everybody off-guard as Dennis was the bad boy with tattoos and piercings, while Electra was the hot chick who could get any guy she wanted, the media ate this shit up. Sadly, the marriage only lasted for four months, which is probably about three months and 28 days longer than anyone thought it would.
2. Going to the Chapel
Year: 1996
It's hard to even fathom a current NBA player deciding he'd promote his book by wearing a wedding dress in full on drag at the height of his career, even Rodman. The Worm did it though, proclaiming he was bisexual and that he was marrying himself. A little known fact, but according to Dennis, he actually got paid $10 million to do it. Don't lie, you know you would do the same for that kind of dough.
1. Nut Shot!
Year: 1997
You know how NBA players today do dumb stuff when they're frustrated, like say punch a fire extinguisher? Back in the '97 season, Rodman topped that level of ridiculousness with ease by kicking a cameramanin the gonads after he lost the ball out of bounds. Our man looks like he's seeing the light after that karate kick!