Dennis Rodman has never been one to hold back his thoughts, whether on the court or in front of a camera. On a recent stream with Neon, the Hall of Famer was asked who the toughest player he ever had to guard was during his illustrious NBA career. The answer wasn’t Larry Bird, Karl Malone, or even Michael Jordan.
Instead, Rodman stunned fans by naming a Los Angeles Lakers legend who often doesn’t get enough credit for his dominance, James Worthy.
Rodman didn’t hesitate before answering:
“James Worthy from the Lakers. Always him.”
It was a fascinating choice, given the era in which Rodman played and the many all-time greats he battled against. Worthy, known as “Big Game James,” made his name with his silky mid-range jumper, incredible footwork, and ability to rise to the occasion when the lights shined the brightest.
The two crossed paths 28 times in their careers, with Rodman’s teams holding the slight edge at 17–11 overall. In the regular season, Rodman went 10–7 against Worthy, and in the playoffs, he led 7–4.
While Rodman was known for his defense and rebounding, his stat lines during those matchups reflect his role: 6.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. Worthy, meanwhile, often got the better of the individual duel.
He averaged 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks against Rodman in those encounters.
The most memorable clashes came in the 1988 and 1989 NBA Finals, when Rodman’s Detroit Pistons faced Worthy’s Lakers. Worthy’s brilliance was on full display during those series. In 11 Finals games against Rodman, Worthy averaged 23.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists.
He had signature performances, including explosive 36 and 40-point games, that showcased why Rodman found him so difficult to contain. While Rodman’s defense was legendary, Worthy’s ability to hit contested jumpers, beat him off the dribble, and thrive in transition made him a nightmare matchup.
As is often the case with Rodman, the conversation didn’t stop there. He also weighed in on the never-ending GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Unsurprisingly, the man who won three championships alongside Jordan didn’t hesitate to choose his former teammate.
For Rodman, Jordan remains untouchable, but he continues to champion Kobe Bryant as someone whose legacy is often underappreciated in modern debates.
Rodman’s revelations didn’t stop with basketball talk. As he often does on streams, the five-time NBA champion went off on tangents, discussing everything from calling himself his own biggest rival, saying he had to defeat himself to survive in the league, to wild stories about Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and even mocking Travis Hunter over his marriage.
These eccentric anecdotes are classic Rodman, keeping fans both entertained and bewildered.
Still, his praise for James Worthy stood out. In an era where players like Bird, Magic Johnson, and Jordan dominated headlines, Rodman reminded fans that “Big Game James” was every bit as lethal, especially in big moments.
For the “Worm” to call Worthy his toughest assignment speaks volumes about the Lakers legend’s underrated greatness.
In the end, Dennis Rodman’s latest stream served as a reminder of why he remains one of the most colorful figures in basketball history: brutally honest, unpredictable, and always entertaining. And with just one statement, he gave James Worthy the flowers many believe he has long deserved.
