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Rodman misses practice -- again

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Posted: Saturday March 27, 1999 08:43 PM

The Lakers are quickly learning about living with the menace known as Dennis. AP

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward Dennis Rodman, benched during the final 16 minutes of a 111-109 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, missed practice Saturday.

However, Rodman met with coach Kurt Rambis for about 30 minutes afterward, according to team spokesman John Black, who said Rambis told him he "felt good after their talk."

Black said Rodman showed up about 20 minutes before practice ended, and didn't participate.

Black also said Rodman will play against the New York Knicks on Sunday, and wouldn't comment when asked if there would be a fine levied.

"As per team policy, that will be handled internally," Black said. "We don't discuss that."

Rodman, the seven-time NBA rebounding champion who joined the Lakers last month, left the team for personal reasons March 13, and missed the first four games of their six-game road trip that began the following night in Sacramento. The Lakers lost three of the four games without Rodman.

He rejoined the Lakers in Orlando last Sunday, when they rallied from a 24-point deficit to beat the Magic 115-104. A 96-93 victory at Dallas the following night made the Lakers 11-0 with Rodman in uniform.

However, the Lakers have lost their last two games -- to Phoenix 106-101 Wednesday night and to the Kings, when they blew a 16-point halftime lead.

Rodman made his first start of the season against Sacramento, replacing Travis Knight, but played only 24 minutes, and just eight in the second half.

"I guess I have to take the blame for that, even though I'm not going to say what happened," Rambis said following the game.

When pressed for details, Rambis said, "Let's not start with 20 questions trying to get it out of me. That's just the end of it, it was just a coach's decision."

As usual, Rodman wasn't available for comment after the game, but in comments he issued through the team, he made mention of his limited playing time.

"I think you need to ask the people around here what is going on," said Rodman, who had two points and a team-leading nine rebounds. "This is just completely ridiculous. I'm not used to this.

"I am in the starting rotation and I only played 24 minutes tonight. But I can't say nothing about that. That is a coach's decision so don't ask me about that."

When asked if Rodman would remain a starter, Rambis replied, "I'm not sure."

The Lakers are 11-2 with Rodman and 8-9 without him. He is averaging 10.6 rebounds per game.

Black said backup center Sean Rooks also missed Saturday's practice, but unlike Rodman, his absence was excused.

The Lakers (19-11) enter Sunday's game having lost five of their last eight games. The Knicks (16-13) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 94-87 victory at Phoenix on Friday night.

 

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