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Colorful house guest Mavs owner opens more than checkbook for Rodman
Posted: Thursday February 03, 2000 01:45 AM
DALLAS (AP) -- Dallas Mavericks new owner Mark Cuban made Dennis Rodman his house guest during negotiations that could lead to Rodman joining the NBA team. "Dennis is going to be spending another night in Dallas," Chris Suter, his L.A. based publicist, said Wednesday. "Negotitations are progressing; I expect him to make a decison in the next 24 hours." Rodman was in town Tuesday night for the Mavericks' 101-100 loss to Philadelphia but was not at courtside for the game. Cuban returned Tuesday night from a clandestine trip to Los Angeles, where he had picked up Rodman. Cuban dropped Rodman off at the 4,000-square-foot visitors' quarters adjacent to his mansion in Dallas, then arrived late for the Mavericks' game Tuesday night with the Philadelphia 76ers. Cuban said he didn't take Rodman to the game with him to ensure that nothing would "take away from Michael Finley's moment." Earlier in the day, Finley earned the first All-Star berth of his career. The 38-year-old power forward grew up in Dallas and still has family in the area. Cuban, founder of Broadcast.com, which made millions for him, bought majority interest in the Mavericks last month. The controversial Rodman could debut with the Mavericks as soon as Thursday or as late as Wednesday of next week, Cuban said. "Nothing's been signed, and, again, with Dennis you never know until it's done," Cuban said. "But I wouldn't have changed my schedule around and flown him all the way back here if I didn't think it was going to happen." Cuban said Rodman would spend much of this week working out in an attempt to get fully fit for his return to the NBA. Mavericks coach and general manager Don Nelson said Rodman is probably "a week away" from playing. "The plan is to get him signed by Thursday night," Cuban said. "Dennis is going to be doing his thing, working out like crazy, doing everything he does to get ready." Once Rodman gets in shape and learns the Mavericks plays, he will not be required to practice. Cuban has agreed to let Rodman ride a courtside exercise bike during the team's workouts as long as he attends each session.
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