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The 25 Greatest Sixth Men Of All Time

By Carter Johnson

Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) reacts after a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 101-100. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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7. Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons

9.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG in 2 ½ seasons as 6th Man

Accolades: 2X NBA Champion (1989-90), 1X NBA All-Star (1990), 1X Defensive Player of the Year (1989-90), 2X All-Defensive First Team (1988-89, 1989-90)

While most know Dennis Rodman for being an essential part of the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls’ championship teams, they likely don’t know that Rodman got his start as an energizer bunny of a sixth man with the former.

As the 27th overall pick in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft, Rodman was somewhat of an afterthought when he originally joined the Pistons. However, due to his relentless hustle, he quickly became a favorite of head coach Chuck Daly, his teammates and the fans, who related with Rodman’s hard-working style of play.

After his rookie season, Rodman fought his way to the top of a crowded Pistons bench rotation by being a tenacious rebounder and agitating defender. The player known as The Worm immediately paid dividends for the team in the role, averaging a career-high 11.6 points per game along with 8.7 boards a night.

The next season, Rodman established himself as one of the best sixth men and defenders in the NBA, averaging nine points and 9.4 boards on a career-high 59.5 percent shooting a night along with earning his first All-Defensive Team selection.

Rodman would prove to be a crucial piece in the team’s first title run, averaging 5.8 points and 10 boards, 0.7 blocks and 0.4 steals throughout the playoffs and capping it off by averaging 10 boards and shutting down reigning Finals MVP James Worthy in the last two games to clinch a championship in four games for the Pistons.

Rodman would only play the role for half of the 1989-90 season before earning a starting job, as his electric play would be just the infusion of energy the Pistons needed to take a struggling title defender and catapult them back to championship caliber.

This would prove to be the year that would elevate Rodman’s legend to new heights as he earned yet another Defensive First Team selection and his first of two consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

The rest of Rodman’s legacy, as they say, is history.

Next: Big Shot Rob