Certain NBA players can be scarier than zombies on the court. But who was the scariest? In the spirit of Halloween, a wide demography of NBA fans voted for the most frightening player in the history of the league. The top choice is a shocker. But there is evidence to prove why this Chicago Bulls legend is deservingly a monster on the court.
His off-the-court persona will bring down the guard of any NBA pro until tip-off. Because his own teammates and opponents have acknowledged that this five-time champion has made them quake in their signature sneakers.
Fans terrified of NBA’s flamboyant monster
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Don’t be fooled by the vibrant hair colors, outlandish tattoos, party animal persona and off-court dramatics. Dennis Rodman had all the makings of a monstrous force on the court. He could be laidback one moment and then become the toughest defender to get past.
One site surveyed over 2000 NBA fans of different variables to pick the scariest NBA player in history. At no.1 was?The Worm?with 32% of the total subjects picking him. Unusually, the thrice-divorced player got the majority of the votes from divorced surveyees.
He’s overall tied at No. 1 with Shaquille O?Neal, who makes more sense than Rodman. While funny and larger-than-life every single day, Shaq was a 7’1″ wall who could shove his opponents out of the way without effort.
Rodman’s teammate, Michael Jordan came third. LeBron James is the fourth scariest and Kobe Bryant was fifth. Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Wilt Chamberlain all got honorary mentions.
Rodman played for multiple teams in his career, including the ‘Bad Boy Pistons.’ But these fans found him scariest when he suited up for the Bulls to win his last three championships.
Dennis Rodman is a formidable force
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Rodman’s party lifestyle went parallel with his NBA career. Despite earning millions as an NBA pro, he lost most of it because of mismanagement. Moreover, he was not the most present father to his kids. When he stepped onto the court, he was a whole other person.
NBA pros have acknowledged that Rodman was unbelievably intimidating on the court. He was not above the dirtiest fouls either. How many ’90s NBA fans could forget when he headbutted a referee and kicked a cameraman? Understandably, NBA pros don’t want to go into a game fully expecting Dennis the Menace’s?elbow in their ribs.
His nickname,?The Worm,?shouldn’t be taken at face value. He’s up there with Shaq because he could disregard every inhibition to block aggressively. When some were hesitant to play against Magic Johnson after he went public with his HIV diagnosis, Rodman didn’t care. He gave out-of-retirement Magic no quarter while guarding him.
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Those who lived Dennis Rodman’s era have seen that crazy look in his eye when he stepped on the court. That’s why he deserves the dubious honor of being the most terror-inducing NBA player ever. Do you agree with this survey?