Rodman, Winter, Gilmore Named to Basketball Hall of Fame

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 4, 2011 7:10PM

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will feature three men with solid ties to the Bulls. Center Artis Gilmore, assistant coach Tex Winter and forward Dennis Rodman will all be enshrined together in the class of 2011.

For Winter, the originator of the triangle offense that helped win Phil Jackson six NBA championships with the Bulls and another five with the Los Angeles Lakers, it's an induction that's long overdue. But Winter suffered a stroke two years ago and reports indicate that his health will prevent him from attending the induction ceremony. Gilmore, an ABA standout with the Kentucky Colonels, leading them to that league's 1975 championship before being picked by the Bulls as their top draft pick when the ABA ceased operations and a handful of its teams were folded into the NBA. Gilmore was the marquee attractions for the Bulls in the late 70s and early 80s, before the days of Michael Jordan.

But the biggest name of the three is Rodman. Sure, the Worm's antics on and off the court during his time in Chicago sometimes overshadowed what he did on the court, but he was an integral part of the Bulls' second three-peat and their record setting 72-10 1995-96 season, a record that still stands. Rodman, who had his number 10 retired by the Detroit Pistons during Saturday's loss to the Bulls, actually leaked the announcement to the media Saturday and said he didn't feel worthy of the honor. During his seven years with the Pistons, Rodman was, pound for pound, the best defender and rebounder in the NBA. Pistons legend Isiah Thomas said that, when Rodman is inducted, it'll be as a Piston.