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Planet Dennis It's Rodman's world; the Mavs will just live there
Posted: Friday January 28, 2000 09:07 PM
NEW YORK (AP) -- Call 'em the Rodman Rules: Practices will be optional; pre-game arrival times will be flexible. The Dallas Mavericks have already agreed with Rodman on a special set of rules should he decide to sign with the team for the rest of the season. "I gave him the option not to come to practice if that was important to him," said Mavericks coach Don Nelson, who met with Rodman and Mavericks owner-to-be Mark Cuban earlier in the week. "Because he's a defensive player and a rebounder, he doesn't need to hone his skills offensively, and so practice for him is a way to work out." That means that should Rodman actually show up for practice but not feel like playing basketball, he can ride an exercise bike or lift weights. As for showing up at the arena on game nights, Nellie won't be watching the clock. "He doesn't like to come sit around the locker room for two hours before a game. That bothers him. So if I could live with him coming a little later," Nelson said. "Everybody else has to be there an hour and 40 minutes [before the game]. I think we can bend the rules for him to come an hour and 15 minutes." Rodman put his possible signing with Dallas on hold so he could be in Atlanta for the Super Bowl. He also had planned to attend the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, although Cuban said he was optimistic that Rodman will sign with Dallas as soon as Tuesday. Rodman's agent, Steve Chasman, claims there are two other teams in warm-weather cities that are interested in Rodman. He has refused to name them. Even if Chasman's claim is true, it's unlikely that any team would agree to relaxing the rules as much as the Mavericks. "The best way to handle the situation is to find out what's important to Dennis and if I can live with it," said Nelson, who will not return as coach next season. "I've talked everything out with the players, and this is not a problem. I think they understand the situation."
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