Pops as the next Rodman - Why not?

[raspsa]

For players like Pops who is trying to find his place in the NBA, he'll be following in the footsteps of many players who have preceded him, many just as athletically gifted and probably even more talented, who failed to make the grade. I think a lot of these young high flyers try to be jacks-of-all-trades and wind up being average or mediocre players who either drop out or spend careers warming the bench.

I'm sure luck plays a certain part in determining whether a player becomes successful or not, but I look at a guy like Bowen who decided early on that he would work harder than anyone else and become a great defensive specialist. He was smart inrealizing that great defenders are always in demand. BB realized his stregths and weaknesses early on and made a strategic career choice that has paid dividends for him financially and professionally. But it took a tremendous amount of hard work and discipline.

Getting back to Pops, I see the potential to be a great rebounder and defender, maybe a Dennis Rodman in the rough. He's about Rodman's size and is probably just as athletic. Like Rodman, pops doesn't have much of a jumpshot. He could set his sights on becoming a defensive terror and rebounding machine.. skills that are always marketable and in demand.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Rodman wasn't nearly as athletic.

It's hard to judge from just one game, but he reminds me of a MUCH BETTER Francisco Elson. I feel dirty even saying that. Elson sucked. Pops is nice.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

More of a ... Tyson Chandler.

[baseline bum]

Rodman was a great athlete, and a true student of the game.

[Dingle Barry]

What made Rodman what he was was effort and the very fact that all he offered was rebounding...and maybe some advanced ability to predict the direction of the ball off the rim. Frankly I'm surprised the NBA hasn't seen such a specialization player since he retired.

[Please_dont_ban_me]

Rodman was a great athlete, and a true student of the game.

Rodman had great instincts, and hustle like a mofo.

I'm not sure he was that athletic though.

[raspsa]

Rodman was a unique physical specimen.. didn't Phil Jackson cite him as being the greatest athlete he ever coached (or something to that effect).endurance was off the charts.. not a great leaper though, Pops has him beat there. .another person he might emulate is Ben Wallace.. he's not that much taller than Pops but he'd have to spend lots of hours in the weights room to reach Big Ben's physique.. still achievable if he really makes a conscious effort.. I say be recognized as great at one thing rather than as average at everything..

[Yorae]

i see him as the answer to guarding athletic big men. The ones Timmy usually have hard time dealing with.

[raspsa]

i see him as the answer to guarding athletic big men. The ones Timmy usually have hard time dealing with.

Any help up front will be greatly appreciated and should help extend Timmy's productivity and effectiveness and possibly his career.

[slayermin]

Rodman was a great athlete, and a true student of the game.

I think I smell sarcasm but not quite sure.

[raspsa]

I think I smell sarcasm but not quite sure.

A great athlete, no question. A true student of the game? Probably more like the school troublemaker who spent a lot of time sitting outside the principal's office or in detention.:lol:lol But Dennis sure knew how to get into an opponents head..think Bruce Bowen on steroids:lol

[Agloco]

Inch for inch I'd have to say that Rodman was one of, if not the best rebounders the game has ever seen (Barkley would enter into a discussion of this sort as well...). He was also a very good low post defender, all of the shenanigans aside. I'm not certain how anyone can say the Rodman wasn't athletic. It's possible that he wasn't as athletic as Pops is, but he was athletic nonetheless.

[Spursmania]

Why didn't we pick up Pops to a 10 day contract sooner. Why the hell were we messing with Austin Croshere? I would love to see an athletic guy like Pops play tandem with Duncan. I mean can you see him picking up the trash and laying it in? I'd be jumpng out of my seat.:tu

[baseline bum]

A great athlete, no question. A true student of the game? Probably more like the school troublemaker who spent a lot of time sitting outside the principal's office or in detention.:lol:lol But Dennis sure knew how to get into an opponents head..think Bruce Bowen on steroids:lol

Rodman was both; the first true multiple-personality in the NBA. Rodman basically studied every jumpshot in the league to see how everyone missed. I remember he said Kerr's misses were usually long and usually went more vertical than most other shooters; he had rules like that for rebounding everyone's shots. There's no doubt he was an incredible player when not acting like a spoiled child.

[Marcus Bryant]

Next Rodman? How about the next Wilt?

Let's not aim too low when forecasting great things for the latest Spurs fan D-League romance.

[peskypesky]

More of a ... Tyson Chandler.

Exactly who I was thinking of.

There will never be another Rodman. He was a freak of nature. A 6'8" guy who led the league in rebounding 7 straight seasons, and who played tenacious defense (2-time NBA defensive player of the year).

Pops has ZERO chance of being Rodman. But he could be a Tyson Chandler type, and if he develops a jump-shot, he could be like an Amare-light.

[Marcus Bryant]

...or he could be in the Bulgarian B league in a year.

[peskypesky]

...or he could be in the Bulgarian B league in a year.

gotta love the positive thinking

[Agloco]

...or he could be in the Bulgarian B league in a year.

or he could trip on his dick and break his neck......

What the hell does it matter? He's got a great opportunity if he gets his defensive wheels in motion.

[RobinsontoDuncan]

I think we all want Pops to succeed, but this kid's on a 10 day contract......

[Agloco]

I think we all want Pops to succeed, but this kid's on a 10 day contract......

I'll bet the inks being applied to a second......

[exstatic]

Next Rodman? How about the next Wilt?

Let's not aim too low when forecasting great things for the latest Spurs fan D-League romance.

:lmao

[timvp]

Next Rodman? How about the next Wilt?

Let's not aim too low when forecasting great things for the latest Spurs fan D-League romance.
Amen. Pops is already better than David Robinson. Who's next on the totem pole?

[baseline bum]

Next Rodman? How about the next Wilt?

Let's not aim too low when forecasting great things for the latest Spurs fan D-League romance.

:lmao

[Agloco]

Next Rodman? How about the next Wilt?

Let's not aim too low when forecasting great things for the latest Spurs fan D-League romance.

You're off about 4-5 inches eh?

[boutons_]

"Rodman was a great athlete"

no, he was a klutz, gracelessly klutzy, which makes his inarguable success as a rebounder all the more admirable.

[exstatic]

You're off about 4-5 inches eh?

You missed the point, eh?

[Agloco]

You missed the point, eh?

Hardly eh?

The comparison is between two men of similar stature....

The Wilt reference fails.

[exstatic]

Hardly eh?

The comparison is between two men of similar stature....

The Wilt reference fails.

The reference to any player who has done more than show a bit in garbage time fails. That's the point. People have no business comparing PMB to anyone. He's played less than one minute in one game, and acquitted himself well in absolute garbage time in another game. That's all. I can't even tell if he's a basketball player yet. All I've seen is him jumping high. James White did that, and was given his walking papers.

Calm the fuck down, people. He's a d-leaguer. There's a reason for that. 30 GMs aren't ALL going to whiff on a undiscovered Rodman or Wilt.

[mazerrackham]

The reference to any player who has done more than show a bit in garbage time fails. That's the point. People have no business comparing PMB to anyone. He's played less than one minute in one game, and acquitted himself well in absolute garbage time in another game. That's all. I can't even tell if he's a basketball player yet. All I've seen is him jumping high. James White did that, and was given his walking papers.

Calm the fuck down, people. He's a d-leaguer. There's a reason for that. 30 GMs aren't ALL going to whiff on a undiscovered Rodman or Wilt.

Yeah, the Mensah Bonsu hype is getting a little out of hand, but he was fun to watch. But hey, being a fan is all about hopes and dreams. And as for GMs missing on people, it does happen sometimes. Bruce Bowen was of course undrafted, as was Ben Wallace, Raja Bell, Brad Miller, and Udonis Haslem. Undrafted gems pop up every now and then. Of course, comparing these players to Wilt Chamberlain and the likes is absolutely ridiculous.

[Agloco]

The reference to any player who has done more than show a bit in garbage time fails. That's the point. People have no business comparing PMB to anyone. He's played less than one minute in one game, and acquitted himself well in absolute garbage time in another game. That's all. I can't even tell if he's a basketball player yet. All I've seen is him jumping high. James White did that, and was given his walking papers.

Calm the fuck down, people. He's a d-leaguer. There's a reason for that. 30 GMs aren't ALL going to whiff on a undiscovered Rodman or Wilt.


The OP alluded to the fact that PMB reminded him of Rodman in a few ways, not the least of which was his stature. While I can't speak for anyone else posting in this thread, I don't believe he's the second coming. Saying he IS vs. saying he could be are two distinctly different things. Spurs fans are clamoring for something great at the 4 or 5. This is the closest they're going to get. A moment in the sun if you will.

It's a simple speculation thread, as the title suggests. It would appear that someone does need to calm down......

[Hemotivo]

Rodman was a great athlete, and a true student of the game.

and had a great footwork when trying to get rebounds

[HarlemHeat37]

if Pops ends up being comparable to one of the greatest rebounders and one of the most versatile defenders in NBA history, I'll give every single person on this forum 20$..seriously..

[Spursfan092120]

Rodman was the man. Weird as he was (and I don't even think weird covers it) the guy gave basketball EVERYTHING he had. He was not as big as a lot of the guys at his position, and he outworked all of them. He wasn't graceful, but his athleticism cannot be denied. He dove all over the place, outran a lot of guards, and got every rebound within an arms length. He was one hell of a worker.

[Spursfan092120]

if Pops ends up being comparable to one of the greatest rebounders and one of the most versatile defenders in NBA history, I'll give every single person on this forum 20$..seriously..

yeah..I'm one of Pops biggest supporters, but to be honest, the guy played one quarter against one or two starters and some scrubs. Before we start comparing him to one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history, let's let him play a little while.

[baseline bum]

Rodman was the man. Weird as he was (and I don't even think weird covers it) the guy gave basketball EVERYTHING he had. He was not as big as a lot of the guys at his position, and he outworked all of them. He wasn't graceful, but his athleticism cannot be denied. He dove all over the place, outran a lot of guards, and got every rebound within an arms length. He was one hell of a worker.

Except in the one important series he ever played in San Antonio.

[Spursfan092120]

Except in the one important series he ever played in San Antonio.

Agreed...besides that..lol..he had one hell of a career.

[raspsa]

The Gist (no pun intended):lol of my original post was more on the reason why more players with perhaps average skills don't emulate Bowen and focus on a particular area of strength to have a better chance of success in the league. For Pops, if he chose to follow this approach, Rodman would be the ideal to aspire to. In a subsequent post I mentioned Big Ben Wallace as another role model, again simply because of their similar stature. Whether he succeeds or not in transforminghimsel into a defensive/rebounding specialist is another matter altogether.. but as Bowen has proven, with hard work, discipline and some luck it could work.

[The Truth #6]

I agree that Pops would do well to try and emulate Rodman's game, but as others have stated, it would take a miracle for a D leaguer to become one of the games best rebounders and defensive players.

It would be easier for him to get compared to Rodman if he had sex with Madonna or wore a wedding dress, and neither of those are likely either.

[Spursfan092120]

It would be easier for him to get compared to Rodman if he had sex with Madonna or wore a wedding dress, and neither of those are likely either.

Wow..I just got an image...not a pretty site...Pops in a wedding dress...hilarious.

[raspsa]

I agree that Pops would do well to try and emulate Rodman's game, but as others have stated, it would take a miracle for a D leaguer to become one of the games best rebounders and defensive players.

It would be easier for him to get compared to Rodman if he had sex with Madonna or wore a wedding dress, and neither of those are likely either.

100% agree that its unlikely Pops will attain Rodman's stature as a player.. but I also think he has the tools to follow in Rodman's footsteps. Getting rebounds and playing tough defense has very much to do with desire and mental toughness. Don't know Pop's work ethic at this point.

[lefty]

The next Rodman?

Jeez, I can't picture Pops wearing a skirt

[Russ]

Pops may be the next Rodman but the Spurs' need is more like the next Bill Cartwright.

[Amarelooms]

You loser Spur's fans need to calm down. Mavs had him first...ya'll always gotta take from other teams....get your own talent :elephant

[jdev82]

Exactly who I was thinking of.

There will never be another Rodman. He was a freak of nature. A 6'8" guy who led the league in rebounding 7 straight seasons, and who played tenacious defense (2-time NBA defensive player of the year).

Pops has ZERO chance of being Rodman. But he could be a Tyson Chandler type, and if he develops a jump-shot, he could be like an Amare-light.

well rodman was 6-6. really. he was. and it doesnt matter who he becomes as long as hes productive in the minutes we give him. i hope for a game soon where we give him 20 mins and he gets 10-12. rebounds have been the spurs problem. KT only trys with good minutes and tim is getting on in years and we may only see 5-10 more 20-20, 30-25 games out of him.

[SequSpur]

Amen. Pops is already better than David Robinson. Who's next on the totem pole?

:lmao

that was good....



but the truth is the big three are now Parker, Bonner and Mason

[Indazone]

He was unique to say the least

As the Worm Turns

TD5rA5z_u1Q

[angelbelow]

regarding your question, you could probably replace pops name with over 1000 players that played in the nba or currently playing. its not that simple to be great.

[TDMVPDPOY]

i dunno man, with the headbands and armbands, he looks like a beefed up josh howard

[MI21]

He does a two hand dunk and now he is Dennis Rodman, one of the greatest rebounders and defenders in NBA history?

The overrating is at epic proportions.

[m33p0]

i know we're starved of athletic big men, but jeez... the nut hugging is approaching epic proportions. let the guy prove he belongs in the league first.

[Flux451]

He was unique to say the least

As the Worm Turns

TD5rA5z_u1Q

Man, thanks for that. Brought back memories, good and bad..haha.

That one clip with him dancing with Antonio Davis was hilarious...Davis looked unhappy.

[tmtcsc]

Rodman had great instincts, and hustle like a mofo.

I'm not sure he was that athletic though.

Phil Jackson recently said that Dennis Rodman was the greatest athlete he ever coached. He never saw anyone with as much pure energy and stamina than Rodman had.

Take that for what its worth. I happen to agree. The dude never got tired and gave you everything he had. If Pops became half the player that Dennis was, he might last longer than a 10 day contract.

I'd like to see Pops make the team but some of the nonsense on here about him is just plain silly. In fact, just give the guy a break. He's hungry and wants to make the team. He can obviously dunk and moves well on defense. Other than that, the fact that he hasn't made a team for longer than 10 days has to tell you something.

None of the coaches are gushing over the guy. Not even his former Toros coach. During his interview with 1250, he seemed to say that he "could be a good player...will certainly give you effort"...but that was about it.