Steven Adams wasn’t even born yet when Dennis Rodman won his first NBA rebounding title, but Adams can still appreciate what The Worm achieved.
The Memphis Grizzlies center Adams went viral this week for his hilarious quote about the retired Basketball Hall of Famer Rodman, one of the most tenacious rebounders ever. Adams just broke the Grizzlies’ team record for the most offensive rebounds in a single season and was asked how he did it.
“Just stand on the opposite side they’re shooting [from], typically the ball will bounce that far,” said Adams, per 1News in New Zealand. “That’s as basic as it goes.
“You can go into the Dennis Rodman major science,” Adams went on. “He’s talking about the rotations of the ball… He’s wild bro, different level. I’m too stupid for that, mate. Not enough brain cells for that one, brother. I just stand there.”
Adams is a successful rebounder in his own right, grabbing 10.0 of them per game this season, 4.7 of which come on the offensive glass. But Rodman was indeed a different kind of maniacal with his dedication to his craft. Viewers of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” likely remember Rodman describing how he studied the physics of the basketball and how many times it spun when it left the hand of each individual player.
Dennis Rodman talking rebound theory is ART pic.twitter.com/tZtq6NNXD8
— Carina del Valle Schorske (@FluentMundo) September 2, 2020
That type of commitment allowed Rodman, who was only 6-foot-7, to win seven straight rebounding crowns. Rodman also averaged 16.7 rebounds a game over that entire seven-year span. No player ever since then has even averaged that many rebounds in a single season (Andre Drummond came the closest in 2017-18 with 16.0 rebounds per game).
Adams might not be able to quite compete with that production. But at least he can somewhat compete with Rodman in terms of his sense of fashion.
Photo: Jan 21, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Steven Adams (4) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
