Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: “It Was Like A Zoo Last Year” – David Robinson Wasn’t Sad To See Dennis Rodman Leaving The Spurs
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > “It Was Like A Zoo Last Year” – David Robinson Wasn’t Sad To See Dennis Rodman Leaving The Spurs

“It Was Like A Zoo Last Year” – David Robinson Wasn’t Sad To See Dennis Rodman Leaving The Spurs

Aaron Abhishek
Aug 31, 2023
6 Min Read
Share

Credit: Fadeaway World

  • Dennis Rodman had a tumultous time in San Antonio
  • While he impressed with his numbers, the antics on and off the court continued
  • David Robinson and some of the players were relieved to see Rodman traded

Dennis Rodman’s time with the San Antonio Spurs was turbulent at best, and it was no surprise then that David Robinson and a few other players were happy to see ‘The Worm’ being traded for Will Perdue prior to the 1995-96 season.

In his two seasons with the Spurs, Rodman’s job as a rebounding specialist didn’t take a hit, but his reputation surely saw massive dents and the ramifications rippled through the team. And Robinson for one, was relieved when Rodman exited the franchise. Speaking to Sports Illustrated in October 1995, he said:

“It was like a zoo last year. Now we’ll be able to just focus on basketball. There won’t be any of that other garbage. Everyone is relieved.”

The general consensus in the team was that Rodman wasn’t a team player. Most players believed they would have been far better had he been an active participant in the unit’s plans.

“We had a championship-caliber group of guys with Dennis,” Robinson said. This was seconded by Sean Elliot. “We are a quiet bunch,” he said. “We are probably the best team, getting along-wise, in the league.”

On the numbers front, Rodman was incredible for San Antonio after he joined them for the 1993-94 season. In his first season with the side, he earned his third consecutive rebounding title averaging 17.3 rebounds, and bagged the reward the following season as well with 16.8 boards per game.

Rodman played 79 games for the Spurs in his first stint averaging 4.7 points, a whopping 17.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. His efforts resulted in the team making the playoffs with 55 wins but were swept by the Utah Jazz in the first round.

The following season, Rodman’s off-court drama came to the fore. In addition to meeting with a motorcycle accident, he was also suspended multiple times for his on and off-the-floor outbursts.

But when he did play, Rodman was effective, and his 16.8 rebounds that season saw the Spurs finish with 62 wins making it the league’s best regular season record that year. However, their journey ended at the hands of Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets who won 4-2.

This resulted in Rodman calling out the Spurs front office and head coach Bob Hill. The endgame was a trade to the Chicago Bulls for center Will Perdue.


Dennis Rodman Was A Force For The Chicago Bulls, Playing His Part In The Team’s Second Three-Peat 

Scottie Pippen nailed it when he said Dennis Rodman fit into the Bulls team “like a hand in a glove” during his interview on ‘The Last Dance’.

Despite their intense and brutal rivalry with Rodman during his time with the Detroit Pistons, both Pippen and Michael Jordan welcomed the team’s future rebounding presence and the latter didn’t disappoint.

The 6-foot-7 forward led the NBA in rebounding all the three seasons he was in the Windy City, and his arrival was integral in the Bulls post a then-record 72 wins in 1995-96.

During his time with the Bulls, Rodman averaged 5.2 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, coupled with 0.6 blocks and 0.3 steals. Initially unimpressed with the notion of adding Rodman to the squad, then GM Jerry Krause was even reluctant to pull off the trade, but when he did ‘The Rodman Effect’ that followed even had him say positive things about the forward.

Speaking highly of Rodman, Krause told Jim Gray from NBC Sports:

“Dennis has been outstanding, he hasn’t missed a practice, he hasn’t been late, he’s done the things we’ve asked him to do on the basketball court, and he’s a tremendous practice player, Dennis has been very good for this team and I believe that he’s a good person.”

Fair that there was ample drama in the 1998 season in the Bulls camp with Rodman being the center of the storm, but his contributions were immense and are one of the reasons the Bulls have three banners on their rafters.

We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.

Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:David RobinsonDennis RodmanSan Antonio Spurs Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByAaron Abhishek
Aaron Abhishek is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He graduated from St. Joseph's College with a Bachelor's in Visual Communication and a Master's in journalism.His passion for the sport began when he saw Michael Jordan take his final shot in the NBA, and he considers himself fortunate to have been a part of the Kobe Bryant era. Now he writes basketball news and analysis while waiting for the Los Angeles Lakers to win their 18th title.When not watching and writing basketball, you can find Aaron suited to play cricket, putting in some hard yards at the gym, trying a new coffee, and supporting Arsenal. Expertise: NBAFavorite Team: Los Angeles LakersPrevious Work: MEAWW, Blue Man Hoop, Sportskeeda
Previous Article Vanessa Bryant Thanks Trae Young On Instagram For His Support Of The Mambacita Sports Foundation
Next Article “The Locker Room Still Smells Like Champagne” – Stephen Curry Taunted LeBron James During The 2016 Regular Season
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Dallas, Texas, USA; The Denver Nuggets team bench celebrates during the second half of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Former Nuggets Player On Who Pays For Team Dinner: ‘Americans Start Backing Off When They See The Bill’

October 6, 2025
Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

Aries Spears Downplays LeBron James’ Championships With Bold Statements

October 6, 2025
San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama (1) answers questions from the media during Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center in San Antonio. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
San Antonio Spurs News & Analysis

“KD And Shaq In One Clip” – NBA Insider Reacts To Victor Wembanyama’s Nasty Dunk

October 6, 2025
2021 NBA Re-Draft Rockets Opt For Future DPOY Over Jalen Green
NBA News & Analysis

2021 NBA Re-Draft: Rockets Opt For Future DPOY Over Jalen Green

October 6, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?