Latest news with #Rodman
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Triple Espresso' led the USWNT to Olympic gold. Now, they must move forward
Alyssa Thompson and Ally Sentnor are among the younger candidates to fill key roles with the key attacking trio out. Photograph: Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF The first time we saw the free-flowing force of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson (née Smith) and Trinity Rodman starting together was 1 June 2024 – Emma Hayes' first match in charge of the national team, with little more than a month to go before the Olympics. Their mutual arrival to the US frontline was delayed by injuries and other uncertainties, but they emerged just in time for a blistering gold medal run. The self-styled 'Triple Espresso' trio combined for 10 of the USA's 12 goals in Paris. They were dynamic. They were fun. They were each capable of match-saving heroics, sparks of individual radiance that propelled the team to the next round: Rodman's heroic quarter-final strike in the 105th minute against Japan; Wilson's goal 95 minutes into a grueling semi final against Germany; then Swanson with the decisive gold medal goal against Brazil. Advertisement That was the last time we'd see them together for quite some time. Related: NWSL standouts LaBonta, Abello named to USWNT roster for friendlies On 5 March (one week after the US lost to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup final), Wilson announced she was expecting her first child. On 8 May, Swanson shared news of her first pregnancy as well. Rodman dealt with back issues, making her first appearance for the US since the Olympics in April (she took just five minutes to score). The winger has since has stepped away, focusing on rehabbing her chronic back pain. Given their youth and unique talents (Rodman, Wilson and Swanson will be just 25, 26 and 29, respectively, at the next World Cup) it seems improbable they won't eventually return as a trio. But the adage Steinbeck made famous from a Robert Burns poem certainly rings true in soccer: the best laid plans of sports and its stars oft times go awry. Advertisement Right now, Hayes is focused on building the team she'll need to make a trophy-contending run at the 2027 World Cup. We're two years out, wading through the 'build depth' and 'experiment' phase, but Hayes can't wait too long to prepare the team she'll need to contend with the world's elite on the most competitive international stage in soccer. Nor can she hang her managerial hat on the expectation that Triple Espresso will be available and healthy when Brazil 2027 arrives. Last week, Hayes named the 24-player training camp roster that will face Fifa's No 17-ranked China this Saturday, and No 40 Jamaica next Tuesday. The squad includes an interesting array of goal threats aspiring to stick around while Triple Espresso is unavailable. In this way, the trio's absence can be seen as a good thing. It forces a talented player pool to identify and perfect replicable goalscoring moments, while whittling down a wider range of players who can provide those goals. It also provides a young, emerging generation of players the opportunity to accrue valuable minutes against top competition, and potentially claim a lasting role. Nobody has taken firmer hold of that opportunity than Alyssa Thompson. After missing the '24 Olympic team, the 20-year-old winger played her way back into the national team picture with a series of statement performances with Angel City in the NWSL. She's kept up the pace in 2025, scoring five goals with two assists in nine matches for ACFC, averaging 0.8 goal contributions per 90, the highest such mark any NWSL player in camp. Advertisement Alyssa's 19-year-old sister Gisele joins her this window, and though she plays fullback for Angel City (and was placed there in previous call ups) the younger Thompson sister that loves to get forward is listed as one on this roster. Given Gisele's ability to contribute in the attack (the right back has three assists and one goal in 10 appearances for Angel City, with the highest assists per 90 of any NWSL player present) it seems Hayes' penchant for helping to mold young players could be in effect with the younger Thompson. Of the seven forwards on this US roster, four are aged 22 or younger. The Thompson sisters are joined by 22-year-old Michelle Cooper, who returns to camp with two goals and one assist in five games for first-place Kansas City, and 21-year-old Utah Royals midfielder/forward Ally Sentnor. Cooper and Sentnor both collected their first USWNT goals in the SheBelieves Cup. 24-year-old Emma Sears also returns to the roster with five goals in ten games for Racing Louisville, one among many examples that club output matters a lot for Hayes in this era. Trusted veterans like 32-year-old Lynn Biyendolo are also present, bringing the intrepid experience of 78 appearances and 22 goals for the USWNT with her, alongside 25-year-old Cat Macario, who was coached by Hayes at Chelsea, where she scored 11 goals across all competitions this year. It seems likely Hayes will deploy those one of those two more experienced forwards as strikers atop her preferred 4-2-3-1, with some degree of rotation among the wingers around them while she experiments. Advertisement Related: 'July BBQ written all over it': Do US Soccer's new kits hit the mark? Of course, replicating the output of Triple Espresso will be a team effort. In midfield, Kansas City veteran Lo'eau LaBonta has earned her first USWNT callup at the age of 32, where she is joined by three teenagers (Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, and Olivia Moultrie) and gold medalists Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps. A mix of athleticism and ball skills pervades that midfield group, where perhaps even bigger questions linger than among the Espresso-less forward formation. With multiple outside backs present that like to play an attacking role (including veterans like Emily Fox or Crystal Dunn, as well as first time callup Kerry Abello and Houston Dash defender Avery Patterson, who has two goals for the Dash this season), we can expect them to play a part in what looks like an aggressive attack that may need to unlock compact defenses. By no means are any of these players secure in their spots. Hayes has emphasized the importance of club form; that seems evident in this camp. Olympians Korbin Albert and Jaedyn Shaw, as well as Mia Fishel (who recently returned from ACL injury) have all been semt to the concurrent U23 camp, but are each notable talents that can return to the senior squad. Other players in the U23 camp, like NWSL rookie standout Riley Tiernan – who is tied with her teammate Alyssa Thompson for seven goal contributions, the second-most in NWSL – have plenty of time to work their way in through the league or youth national team performances. Advertisement Hayes noted in her roster drop that, 'As has been one of our focuses this year, this camp and the following camp are going to be two amazing opportunities to develop squad depth.' There's nothing quite like Triple Espresso. But the coming week of tests promises continuation of the year's theme: experimentation, rotation, and essential experience for a broader player pool that will help form the foundation of any trophy-contending team.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day events and observances in NNY for 2025
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Memorial Day will soon be upon us and that means a number of events and observances like parades and other ceremonies. Here's a look at plethora of events from around the area this coming Memorial Day weekend. There will be a number of ceremonies in and around the Adams area from American Legion Post 586. 10 a.m.: Rodman 10:45 a.m.: Pierrepont Manor Noon: Adams Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce will have the Memorial Day Parade & Fireworks on Monday, May 26. The parade will start at noon with the lineup beginning at 11 a.m. Fireworks will be set off at dusk from Casino Island. A Memorial Day service will begin at the Cape Vincent American Legion Post 832 beginning at 6:45 a.m. This will include a Memorial Service and Rifle Volley at 13 different cemeteries throughout the towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent. The Colton Volunteer Fire Department will be having its annual parade in Colton at 10 a.m. and South Colton at 11:30 a.m. The Copenhagen American Legion Floyd Lyng Post 723 will be hosting a parade on Monday, May 26. The parade will be at 10 a.m. and there will be a chicken barbecue, quilt raffle, poppies, ice cream social and bake sale. The village will host a Memorial Day parade starting at 10:30 a.m. that starts at the post office and ends at the village cemetery. A short ceremony will follow at the conclusion of the parade. Am Vets Posts 1997 will hold a Memorial Day Observance at Hillcrest Cemetery, Rensselaer Street, Heuvelton at 1 p.m. on May 26. The Pine Hill Observance will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Eel Weir Road, Town of Oswegatchie at 2 p.m.; luncheon will be held after the Memorial Day observances at AMVETS Post 1997 at 3 p.m. The annual Memorial Day parade will be Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. There will be a wreath laid at Soldiers and Sailors Monument and Veterans Park. After the parade, the public is invited to go to the American Legion, VFW, and the Marine Corps League for light refreshments. The Madrid Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting its memorial walk at 9 a.m. followed by a service. The Norwood American Legion will be hosting its annual Memorial Day parade starting at 11 a.m. at 10 Maple Street. The Ogdensburg Veterans Association will host its annual Memorial Day events. A parade will start at 10 a.m. by the City Library (intersection of Washington and State Street. The parade will conclude at the Veteran's Plot and will be followed by a ceremony at the Veteran's Plot approximately at 11 a.m. Amvets Post 282 is sponsoring the parade in Potsdam on Monday, May 26. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Potsdam High School at 29 Leroy Street and end at Ives Park, 3 Riverview Drive. A ceremony will follow the parade at 11 a.m. The village and Sackets Harbor American Legion Post 1757 will host a remembrance ceremony on Monday, May 26 around the village. The first ceremony is at 7:45 a.m. at the legion post. Here's a schedule of events. 8 a.m. – Sackets Harbor Battlefield 8:15 a.m. – Sackets Harbor Military Cemetery 8:30 a.m. – Lakeview Cemetery 8:45 a.m. – Madison Barracks 9:10 a.m. – Muskellunge Cemetery 9:30 a.m. – Sulphur Springs Cemetery At around 10:30 am, the group will parade from Sackets Harbor Central School, along West Main Street, to the Visitor Center lawn for a ceremony by the harbor. The remembrance stops, the parade, and the ceremony are all free, and the public is welcome to attend. A chicken BBQ will at the American Legion on Ambrose Street starting at noon will wrap up the events for the day. Theresa's 47th annual Memorial Day celebration will be held on Sunday, May 25, at 11 a.m. There will be a Chicken BBQ at 11 a.m., a memorial service at 1 p.m., a parade at 3 p.m., and a craft fair and car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Watertown American Legion Post 61 at 138 Sterling Street. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and the group will visit the Glenwood Cemetery immediately following. Did we miss your Memorial Day weekend event or parade? Let us know and we'll update our list. Submit a form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Brunson and the unique crossover relationship between the NBA and pro wrestling
Nine years ago, the New York Times Magazine ran a column asking "Is Everything Wrestling?" At the time, they were mainly referencing the 2016 presidential election, which had an injection of professional wrestling vibes seemingly unlike any before it, but it was a signal that the art of sports entertainment had fully engrained itself in the mainstream. There was a truth in the answer then, and it remains valid nearly a decade later — Yes, everything to an extent is wrestling. Unlike the rest of society, sports and entertainment, however, the NBA and pro wrestling have been tightly intertwined for the better part of three decades now. Shaquille O'Neal has multiple appearances, including wrestling in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, LaVar Ball and his sons Lonzo and LaMelo Ball appeared in a bizarre, off-script segment with The Miz on "Monday Night Raw," Joel Embiid has adopted the "D-X" crotch chop as his unofficial celebration, even former Celtics center Enes Freedom (Kanter) has held a championship in WWE. Advertisement For some reason, when the intensity gets ratcheted up as the NBA calendar turns to the playoffs, the world's best basketball players decide to enter the squared circle. Sometimes, these interactions happen in the aftermath of a major series or once a team has been eliminated. Other times, like in 1998, two of the biggest NBA stars in the world will work a professional wrestling angle into the NBA Finals, as Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone did. In Marc Raimondi's upcoming book on the NWO and its influence on American culture, titled "Say Hello to the Bad Guys," the Rodman-Malone feud is one of the signature moments that illustrates the crossover appeal that professional wrestling has within the NBA. As the Bulls — in Jordan's "Last Dance" season nonetheless — and Jazz squared off for the Larry O'Brien trophy, Rodman and Malone were building toward a tag-team match alongside Hollywood Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page for Bash at the Beach 1998. Advertisement 'Legitimate sports crossing over with wrestling is a tale as old as time — from Muhammad Ali to Ernie Ladd to Steve 'Mongo' McMichael to Shaquille O'Neal," Raimondi told Uncrowned. "Wrestling as an art has captured the imagination of many a sports star, just like it has laymen in the U.S. and beyond." The Rodman and Malone feud was polarizing, but it accomplished its goal when you look at the biggest measures of success in pro wrestling — it drew eyeballs and sold tickets. Rodman was a cultural lightning rod in the late 1990s and to this day is one of the more recognizable names from the iconic NWO run in WCW. Malone, while not having the same penchant for chaos as Rodman, showed he could more than hold his own in the ring. Fast forward to September 2021, WWE tapped into the NBA playoffs well once again, this time enlisting the help of Hawks All-Star Trae Young. Young, fresh off an Eastern Conference finals trip, still had very real heat among the Madison Square Garden faithful after he scored 30-plus points in all three first-round playoff games at MSG. Naturally, WWE used him to draw a chorus of boos and create a moment from an otherwise forgettable 10-man tag match. Advertisement The playbook stayed relatively the same in June 2024, with MSG hosting an episode of "SmackDown." Weeks after the Pacers eliminated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson became involved in a match between Logan Paul, LA Knight and Santos Escobar. Haliburton, like Young years before him, was a natural heel in The Garden and tried to aid Paul by handing him a pair of brass knuckles. Brunson intervened and after the match was decided entered the ring with a steel chair, chasing off the heels (and giving Knicks fans a scare about his surgically repaired hand in the process). Once the Knicks dispatched the Celtics last week, the clip of Haliburton and Brunson on "SmackDown" resurfaced and became a trending topic in both the NBA and wrestling worlds. It's hard to say why the NBA — particularly some of the biggest stars and during the biggest moments — and pro wrestling cross over so well. Perhaps it's the nature of the sport itself. It's remarkably more difficult for one player to take over a game — and draw opposing fans' ire — in the NFL or MLB compared to basketball. Also, while the NFL essentially generates interest yearlong and is a ratings juggernaut, there still may be somewhat of a disconnect when it comes to culture. When is the last time an NFL player released a popular pair of sneakers? Does the parity of the league and relatively short career span hurt the league compared to the NBA in the crossover department? Advertisement There may be no concrete rhyme or reason behind it, but the fact remains, the NBA and professional wrestling are a tag team unlike any other in sports right now. Considering the history there and rivalry between the Knicks and Pacers (then, now, forever, anyone?) there could be plenty of more runway for Tyrese 3:17 and 1A. "Brunson and Haliburton have a chance to be a modern-day Rodman and Malone, especially if they continue their NBA rivalry in WWE," Raimondi said. "I wouldn't be shocked if that happened.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
When going to bed angry at your partner is OK
Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Arguments often feel urgent no matter what's going on for some of the couples Dr. Samantha Rodman sees in her practice as a clinical psychologist in Potomac, Maryland. This desire to resolve a conflict before heading to bed is particularly common for clients who grew up in a house where family members fought nonstop, said Rodman, author of '52 E-Mails to Transform Your Marriage: How to Reignite Intimacy and Rebuild Your Relationship.' 'It doesn't really occur to you to just shelve it and go to sleep.' For others, the tendency is because of the age-old adage that you should never go to bed angry — which sometimes comes from 'the belief that unresolved anger can fester overnight, leading to deeper resentment,' said Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist in New York City, via email. 'Its wisdom is likely to be rooted in the idea that resolution to arguments is essential for maintaining harmony and preventing even more emotional distance,' Romanoff said. 'Historically, it's a call for connection and prioritizing the relationship over lingering negativity.' Others' resistance to dropping an argument for the night may stem from self-comparison or toxic positivity, Rodman said — which can lead you to think you should be able to quickly discuss things with your partner, apologize, resolve the issue and happily call it a night. There's also the concern — sometimes in hindsight — about what may happen if you let your partner go about their next day with that lingering resentment between you two or without having said I love you. All considered, never going to bed angry sounds like a good rule to live by. But it isn't always useful, Romanoff said. 'Its rigidity can overlook individual needs, rest and perspective,' Romanoff said. 'Applying this convention without discretion can actually be detrimental to your relationship.' Putting an argument on pause and going to sleep upset is a skill you can practice, Rodman said. Here's how to do it and still keep your relationship intact. Delaying sleep to resolve an argument can backfire for several reasons. When you're exhausted, you're less inhibited and thus have less control of your emotions, so you're more impulsive and likely to say or do things you don't mean and will later regret, experts said. Your problem-solving, listening and reasoning skills, which are all necessary for effective communication, can take a hit too, especially if you're really worked up. Those factors, as well as being under the influence, can further exacerbate the problem, Rodman said. A good night's rest, however, can completely reset the brain. Sleep 'reduces your brain's reactivity to negative stimuli — or perceived negative stimuli — helps process emotions and restores your ability to approach problems rationally,' Romanoff said. 'A well-rested brain is better equipped to engage in thoughtful, respectful communication.' Sometimes, what you were arguing about will no longer seem important the next day. For whatever concerns that remain, though, you'll be more able to express them in a way that's less emotional or defensive and, ultimately, better for the relationship. Except on the rare occasions when something important and relevant to the conflict is about to happen late at night, Romanoff said all arguments should wait until the next day. Let's say you want to go to sleep but are struggling because the issue feels urgent, you're lying awake ruminating while your partner is sleeping soundly, or you're worried something bad might happen. These feelings could stem from 'attachment panic,' Rodman said. That's the fear that your attachment figure or closest relationship, typically your parents in childhood or your partner in adulthood, isn't there for you or doesn't love you. 'That's very evolutionarily motivated to try to get back to a state where you feel secure in the relationship,' Rodman added. In many of these cases, people feel the only way to manage their anxiety is to immediately try to repair things. But when you're worked up and tired, conversations with your partner won't go as well as when you're calm and rested. In fact, these conversations may even lead to a situation that heightens your anxiety. Regardless of why you just can't let it go, there are things you can do to settle down enough to get restful sleep. In some relationships, one person wants to discuss conflict more than the other, Rodman said. That person may worry that if the conversation doesn't happen right away, it never will — meaning the issue will never be resolved and the security and connection in the relationship will never be restored. That's why experts said it's critical for couples to commit to a time and place to follow up as soon as it's reasonably possible and when you're both in a better state of mind. Anticipating that things will be resolved soon can help calm you enough to sleep. Couples can also try to maintain any bedtime rituals that reinforce the foundation of the relationship, such as saying 'I love you,' cuddling or kissing each other good night, Romanoff said. Still engaging in these rituals communicates that your commitment to each other is more important than your current disagreement, offering reassurance without dismissing the conflict and balancing your immediate emotional security with the need for sleep, Romanoff said. Emotions are generally fleeting, but your commitment to, and care for, your partner likely aren't. You can even say all these things. If you're reading this tip and thinking, 'If I'm mad, there's no way I'm saying 'I love you,'' that stubbornness is part of what leads to frequent conflict, Romanoff said. 'The more you say, 'I can't learn new ways of engaging,' the less likely the relationship is to work out,' she added. 'In a healthy relationship, people are always learning new skills.' You don't have to do these things happily or romantically — a monotonous 'I love you' or a brief peck can still go a long way. It's not about denying your anger but about affirming the bond you share, Romanoff said. Self-regulating can also be important. You could try meditating, journaling, doing breathing exercises or distracting yourself by taking a quick shower or immersing your hands in cold water, Rodman said. Ask yourself, 'How can I handle things in a way that will make my future self proud? How can I care for myself as a parent would care for a child who's upset?' Learning how to soothe yourself 'is the real deep work that many people do with anxious attachment, especially in therapy,' Rodman said. Whenever you do have that follow-up conversation with your partner, remember that although arguments are inevitable, how you handle them defines your relationship and sometimes your sleep health, Romanoff said. 'Treat conflicts as opportunities to grow closer, not further apart,' Romanoff added. 'It's not about always maintaining a perfect relationship; it's about growing, learning and progressing through life together, even in the messy moments.'
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Dennis Rodman Paradox: What Leaders Miss About Their Best People
Every team covets a star. All need high-performing role players. A few are lucky enough to have both. But the most quietly devastating loss any organization can suffer isn't the person with the biggest title — it's the one whose absence makes everything else wobble. In sports, that person was Dennis Rodman. As one former NBA executive reportedly said of Dennis Rodman, he wasn't the best scorer or leader, and he wasn't always loved in the locker room. But they don't win a championship without him. In business, that person might be on your team right now — uncelebrated, underpaid, and irreplaceable. I call this The Rodman Paradox. 🧠 What Is the Rodman Paradox? The Rodman Paradox describes the counterintuitive phenomenon where an organization's most valuable contributor isn't necessarily its most talented or highest-performing member, but rather the one whose specialized skills are the most difficult to replace. Named after NBA player Dennis Rodman, who demonstrably improved his teams' winning percentages more than even his more highly regarded teammates, this paradox emerges when someone masters a critical function that few others can adequately perform. While conventional valuation focuses on overall performance or leadership qualities, true organizational resilience often depends on identifying and retaining these specialized contributors whose absence creates disproportionate disruption. In contexts ranging from healthcare to technology to manufacturing, this principle challenges traditional hierarchies by suggesting that unique specialists in seemingly supporting roles can sometimes be more essential to operational success than even exceptional generalists in leadership positions. Named for Dennis Rodman — a player who never led his team in scoring, was never a team captain, and made only two all-star teams in a 14-year career, and yet consistently made good teams great, and great teams elite — the paradox challenges leaders to look beyond the org chart when assessing value. 🏀 The Role Player Who Changed Everything Dennis Rodman never led a team in points. He wasn't a face of a franchise. He was traded, fined, and famously unconventional. For most of his career, he was considered at best the third best player on his team - even by his coaches. But here's what else is true: Rodman's teams won five NBA championships, reached six Finals, and consistently posted higher winning percentages when he was on the floor. He has one of the highest winning percentages in NBA history, and the HIGHEST winning percentage in NBA playoff history. When the Detroit Pistons drafted Rodman, they went from a team that could not get past the Boston Celtics to one that celebrated its first championship in two years. When Rodman joined the Chicago Bulls in 1995–96 — with Michael Jordan already back and Scottie Pippen in his prime — the team jumped from 'champion' to 'historically great,' going 72–10 and kicking off a second three-peat. When he signed with the San Antonio Spurs, the team went to the NBA finals for the first time in its history, and David Robinson won his only MVP award. In his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers, they won games at a 60-win pace when he played and fell to .500 when he didn't. That wasn't a coincidence. That was the Rodman effect. 📊 Rebounding as a Superpower Rodman didn't shoot. He didn't score. But he grabbed rebounds like no one before or since. Stat analyst Benjamin Morris, writing for his blog Skeptical Sports Analysis, found that Rodman's rebounding performance (as measured by rebounding rate, or percentage of available rebounds Rodman captured) ranked six standard deviations above league norms — a statistical rarity so extreme it happens roughly once every 400 years. Morris, now with FiveThirtyEight, argued that Rodman might be the most underrated player in NBA history. I am good at data analysis, but six standard deviations sounds like the realm of science fiction to me, so I asked ChatGPT to give a real-world example to help me get my head around it. It told me it was like a car getting 600 miles per gallon. I requested several other examples, and it produced this table: Category Normal Rodman-Level Outlier Equivalent Car mileage 30 MPG 600 MPG (20x improvement) Typing speed 60 WPM 1,200 WPM Stock returns 10%/yr 200%/yr with no risk Employee output 5 tasks/day 100 high-quality tasks/day Olympic sprint 100m in 10s 100m in under 5s 💼 Rodmans in the Workplace You've worked with a Rodman. Maybe you are one. These are the people whose titles don't reflect their influence, and whose impact is not recognized or fully appreciated, but whose absence would immediately strain teams, delay results, or cause key accounts to wobble. They're often overlooked — until they leave. I reached out to my network for real-world examples of role players being more valuable than more senior and highly compensated. Three stick out. A CFO shared that his team had a second-year financial analyst who was the only one in the company who understood generative AI. He had a controller with more than two decades of experience who was a high performer. Still, he felt that losing the analyst would be more problematic than losing the controller, as replacing the analyst would be virtually impossible in today's workforce. The controller was a better overall performer, but the single thing the analyst did was irreplaceable. This is a perfect example of The Rodman Paradox. An account manager with just two accounts. But those accounts represented nearly 20% of the company's revenue. The president confessed that if he were forced to choose between this rep and his vice president of sales, he would pick the sales manager. He also said that the vice president was the best performer in that role he had ever seen. The account manager was playing Rodman to the VP's Jordan. A partner at a national CPA firm shared that his top recruiter, one of the most connected people in the city, was instrumental in finding the early-career talent that is essential to a CPA firm's growth. He considered her more valuable than the head of HR or even the office's managing partner (OMP). He believed that the firm had at least a dozen people who could step into the OMP role, but there was nobody to replace such a well-connected recruiter. These aren't outliers. They're everywhere — if you know how to look. 🔎 Why We Overlook Them Rodmans tend to: Specialize in something messy, niche, or unsexy Make others better instead of seeking the spotlight. Stay quietly competent while louder voices get the credit. They don't win 'employee of the month.' They don't ask for promotions. They show up, do the work, and hold the whole thing together. And because they're hard to quantify — like a rebound that leads to a fast break that leads to an assist — their influence gets misattributed, ignored, or misunderstood. Until they're gone. 🧍🏼♂️ My Own Experience: Helping VCs Find Their Rodmans Years ago, I worked with a VC firm conducting a large-scale restructuring across multiple portfolio companies. When forced to make difficult decisions, these investors realized something profound: the most expensive people weren't necessarily the most consequential. In several cases, it was a data engineer, a licensing manager, or a mid-level biochemist who was propping up the company's actual value and whose absence would be missed the most. Those were the people we built around. The executives were easier to replace. 🧭 How to Identify the Rodmans on Your Team Want to build a resilient organization? Start here: Audit by Impact, Not Title Ask your department leads: Who is the one person on your team you hope never leaves? Then ask why. Rethink Performance Metrics Some contributions are hard to measure in isolation, but crucial in combination. Make space for evaluating those who make others better. Redesign Recognition Most recognition programs reward visibility. Add mechanisms to honor the quiet enablers. Protect Them Strategically Rodmans are rarely irreplaceable on paper, but in practice, replacing them can take six months and three people. Treat them accordingly. 🔚 Final Thought: Greatness vs. Irreplaceability Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time, or at least that I have ever seen. But even he needed Dennis Rodman and other role players. Rodman didn't replace Jordan — he did what Jordan couldn't. He handled the work others wouldn't do better than anyone ever had. And while Jordan was obviously the better overall player, Rodman was better at rebounding than Jordan was at scoring, and had a skill set that was rarer than Jordan's. The Jordan versus Rodman debate was a central point of Mr. Morris' article referenced above. I lack his aptitude for data analysis, but I found the debate fascinating. I believe that we both reluctantly concluded that Rodman might be the more irreplaceable player. I believed that Rodman was the more irreplaceable player due to his unique skill set. Irreplaceable in this case does not mean better. If there were a clone of Michael Jordan (Bulls fans can only wish), that would not diminish his greatness; it would only make him replaceable. To test this theory, I selected players with skill sets similar to Jordan's and Rodman's and envisioned the impact of replacing them with those players. I only considered players I had seen play. For Jordan's replacement, I selected Kobe Bryant, and for Rodman, I picked Ben Wallace. Both players are members of the Basketball Hall of Fame, so in this hypothetical scenario, they were replaced by other elite players. Jordan to Kobe? That's a drop-off. Rodman to Wallace? That's a collapse. Which is why in your company, where nobody's winning MVPs, your Rodman might be more important than your Jordan.
