Creating the perfect Detroit Pistons player

Ankles: Dennis Rodman

Before he became famous for his insane rebounding numbers — and infamous for a bunch of other things — Rodman’s signature skill was his one-on-one defense. Whether he was lined up across from Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson, it was rare to see Rodman have his ankles “broken” by a crafty ball-handler or an elite athlete.

Rodman won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named All-Defensive First Team three times during a stretch with the Pistons (1988-91) when he averaged “only” 10.5 rebounds per game.

In his final two seasons with Detroit, he averaged over 18 rebounds per game, beginning a run in which he led the league in rebounding seven consecutive times. Even as he began to focus more on defending on the front line rather than in the backcourt, Rodman was still known to shut down everyone from Karl Malone to Shaquille O’Neal when called upon.