Dennis Rodman will be back in Chicago tonight to present the game ball prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Heat and the Bulls.
Rodman was originally selected by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the 1986 NBA Draft after earning NAIA All-American honors at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He played seven seasons in Detroit and two more in San Antonio before joining the Bulls for three seasons in 1995-1996. Rodman also suited up for the Lakers and the Mavericks before retiring in 2000.
The man known as "The Worm" won an NBA title each year he was in Chicago (he won five in his career), and his list of accomplishments -- two-time Defensive Player of the Year, seven-time All-Defensive first team, seven-time rebounding champ, two-time All-Star -- rightfully earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's 2011 class. (In case you had any doubt, just take a look at this.)
"It will be awesome. [Dennis] is going to love it," former Bulls teammate Steve Kerr said Wednesday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "This means so much to him. So for him to come back in front of these fans who are obviously incredibly hyped, it's going to be emotional. It wouldn't surprise me if he shed a few tears tonight."