The 5 most iconic hairstyles in the history of the NBA

4 of 6

(Photo credit should read VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. The Dennis Rodman

No great list of hair in the NBA would be complete without Dennis Rodman, although unlike everybody else on this list, his truly was a one-of-one that has not been seen since. It is crazy to think that the guy who seemed quiet and shy and won Defensive Player of the Years honors with the Detroit Pistons with a standard cut would grow into the Rodman of the Bulls, but it happened.

We all grew up around or went to school with somebody (male or female) who changed their hair color all the time, which adds a layer of familiarity to Rodman’s barnet, even if you’re too young to remember watching him play. Not that that’s important anyway. Rodman has transcended the game in his unique way.

Like Nash before him, there is something extremely nostalgic about the way Rodman dyed his hair, and it again ties in with pop culture at the time. Although you could make the case it was Rodman starting the trend and others following in that instance. Unlike Nash, it also shows us where the league was at that time as well.

The 90s saw players coming out of high school and being given bloated contracts. Physical play was widespread, with teams like the New York Knicks taking no prisoners, whether it was the NBA Finals or a Thursday night game against Charlotte Hornets in November. The image was getting grittier, and Rodman was certainly a gritty player.

With the Bulls, where Rodman’s hair experimentation was out of control, he was part of what is probably the best team in NBA history and was treated like a rockstar. He certainly looked like a rockstar. Before landing there though he was with the San Antonio Spurs, who were led by David Robinson and were as clean-cut as it got.

Rodman had some crazy hair days there too, but this just ostracised him from that group even more. His attitude and mentality were the main reasons, but the fact he was such an out-there guy in appearance didn’t help either. The Rodman is a classic, and there’s a reason players haven’t gone to those lengths again. Nobody did it like Dennis.