Home

NBA

“The New Dennis Rodman”: 5X NBA Champion Surprisingly Anointed LeBron James’ Ex Teammate as His Heir in 2014

Published 11/27/2022, 8:50 AM EST

Follow Us

via Imago

There have rarely been any players who have come close to the playing style of Dennis Rodman. A glass cleaner on both ends, Rodman is already known as the best rebounder the game has seen. ‘The Worm’ made a living by cleaning boards and defending against the toughest matchup on the opposing team. 

But for Dennis Rodman to anoint someone as the new version of him speaks volumes. At first, one would assume that Rodman would give that title to a big man. A center or a power forward who has a similar playing style.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Dennis Rodman gives J.R. Smith his title

Back in 2014, Dennis Rodman anointed J.R. Smith as the contemporary version of him. Smith was playing for the New York Knicks back then under coach, Phil Jackson.

via Getty

Rodman sent out a tweet sending love to his former coach who helped him win three championships with the Chicago Bulls. He further wished J.R. Smtih some good luck while giving him “The New Dennis Rodman” title.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Now that may be because of Smith’s off-court antics instead of his on-court plays. Smith was a streaky scorer. Either he would have a mediocre game or would go off for big numbers.

Since then, Rodman has said that Draymond Green is the player who resembles the most to his game style. In today’s NBA, players are more focused on shooting the ball and scoring big points.

Players who came close to the Rodman title

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

There is rarely anyone who puts defense as their priority, let alone rebounding. And Draymond Green is someone who looks to do those things. At least, part of it. But now there is another player in the rising who could certainly earn the “The New Dennis Rodman” title.

Watch This Story – Dennis Rodman, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and other NBA stars who have featured in TV shows

It is none other than the San Antonio Spurs forward, Jeremy Sochan. He wears the same number as Rodman did back in his San Antonio days and also sports colored hair, just like Rodman.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Back then, it wasn’t just Rodman who called Smith the new version of him. Even Phil Jackson drew comparisons between the two players. In an interview with The Post, Phil Jackson said, “He might be one of those guys that’s a little bit like Dennis Rodman that has an outlier kind of side to him.”

Who do you think is “The New Dennis Rodman”? Let us know in the comments below.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Abhishek Dhariwal

1,425Articles

One take at a time

Abhishek Dhariwal is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports. He earned his bachelor's degree in English Honors from St. Xavier's College and his master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from AAFT School of Mass Communication and Journalism.
Show More>

Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra