Source: (AHN Sports) - Reporter: Jim Keller - Original Article

Scottie Pippen hopes mercurial Dennis Rodman, who is on the nomination list this season, gains selection into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Finalists for the Hall are announced during the NBA All-Star weekend. Rodman was part of five championship teams with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the first team All Defensive Team seven times during his 14-year career.

Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is rooting for his former teammate.

Pippen told NBA.com that he hopes mercurial Dennis Rodman, who is on the nomination list this season, gains selection into the Hall. Finalists for the Hall are announced during the NBA All-Star weekend

Rodman was part of five championship teams with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the first team All Defensive Team seven times during his 14-year career.

Rodman was also a great rebounder, leading the league seven straight years, and he ranked first in total rebounding percentage eight straight years, a stat he ranks first all-time.

“We all watched Dennis’ career and we know just how good he was as a basketball player,” Pippen told NBA.com. “I think we all got caught up in his antics, and things he did away from the game, and it sort of disrespected or took attention away from what he did on the basketball court. But he is surely a Hall of Famer.”

Rodman was one of the oddest players in NBA history. He often had his hair dyed bright colors, was known for wearing dresses, lavish excursions and causing his share of problems off the court.

Over his career, Rodman averaged 7.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game - 10th highest all-time - in 14 seasons with Detroit, Chicago, San Antonio, Los Angeles and Dallas.

Pippen said he does not think Rodman’s “antics” should keep him out of the Hall. “I want to hope the people who voted to get me in saw the same thing that I saw in an opponent and as a teammate,” Pippen said. “That would be a player who had a very high IQ, played at a very high level and at the end of the day proved to be one of the best who ever played the game.”