Detroit. I’m coming home.

Those were the words tweeted by former Pistons’ Bad Boy Dennis Rodman who tonight will have his #10 retired and raised to the rafters of The Palace in a halftime ceremony that will take place during tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls.

Many former Bad Boys are expected to be in attendance tonight including Joe Dumars, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, James Edwards and John Salley.

According to Chris Iott of Mlive.com, John Salley spoke about Rodman during a interview on Saturday at The Palace.

“He was the heart of the Pistons,” he said. “He was the heart of our team. Isiah was the mentality of the team. Bill Laimbeer was the policeman of the team. Joe Dumars was the calm of the team. I was the court jester. James Edwards was the prolific scorer. Mark Aguirre was probably one of the greatest talents. But Dennis Rodman was the heart of the team. Definitely.”

Iott writes that Pistons team president Joe Dumars agrees with Salley regarding his remarks on their former teammate.

According to the Detroit News, Rodman thought that the whole number retirement was an April Fool’s Joke.

“I thought it was a big April Fools joke when they said they were retiring my number,” Rodman said. “I was like, ‘No way’.”

It was absolutely no joke.

Rodman will go down as one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history. When Rodman played there was never a guy on the court with more energy and charisma or there was never another player that could energize his teammates more. Rodman averaged more than 18 rebounds 18 rebounds per game two times for the Pistons (1991-92, 1992-93), went to two All-Star games (1990, 1992) and was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year two times (1990, 1991).

Furthermore according to a Detroit News article, the return to The Palace isn’t perfect for Rodman who will be without his mentor and father figure in Chuck Daly who passed away as well as friends Matt Dobek and Bill Davidson who also have passed away.

“It has been a very tough couple of years for the Pistons,” Rodman said. “I won’t go into detail, but that will be part of my talk. I will make a mention.”

Pistons’ rookie Greg Monroe, who has no memory of the Bad Boys era in Detroit, since he was born in 1990 wanted to get Rodman’s blessing to continue wearing the #10, a number that Monroe has also worn for a very long time.
Monroe was able to to get that blessing prior to a team shoot around Thursday.
“I remember he played with a lot of energy,” Monroe said. “Obviously, he was a great rebounder, one of the best rebounders to ever play the game. A defensive player of the year. I remember his crazy hairstyles, but I definitely remember the things he did to help his team win.”
Friday night will certainly put a bright spot on a long dark season.
Welcome home Dennis.

Source: Mlive.com, Detroit News

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR