Rodman’s antics sure to exercise evil influenceon young Lakers

Wednesday, February 24, 1999

Rodman’s antics sure to exercise evil influence

on young Lakers

COLUMN: Forward provides color, but team lacks leader to
regulate on the Worm

You hear that buzzing? No, it’s not a swarm of bees. It’s only
the talk around town about Dennis Rodman.

Yes, the same Dennis Rodman who has won numerous NBA titles and
World Championship Wrestling (WCW) "titles," and promises to play
his final NBA game butt naked.

Rumors have been circulating around Los Angeles recently about
the Lakers signing Rodman to supposedly shore up their squad.

While Rodman might be a rebounding machine and hustle on the
court, his off-court antics might be the demise of the Lakers as we
know them.

From the impressionable youth that dominates the Lakers lineup,
Rodman’s lack of a work ethic and extreme love of life could turn
the Lake show into a drag show.

Seven-time NBA rebounding champion and husband of Carmen
Electra, Rodman helped bring Chicago their last three
championships.

The Lakers, however, do not possess the leadership that the
Bulls had in regulating Dennis. Without a Jordan or a Pippen to
control the animal that we like to call "Rodman," the Lakers will
always be looking up to the Jazz and Sonics if Rodman signs.

What if Rodman decides to skip practice and go to Las Vegas
instead? What would head coach Del Harris do? And what kind of
message would players like Eddie Jones and Kobe Bryant get? These
questions have been weighing heavily on my mind, and I hope on
Lakers’ owner Jerry Buss’s as well.

Rodman is now merely a man looking for attention, and what
better place to do this than Los Angeles.

"Basically if I come back in the league I will give the league
something to write about, something to talk about, some
excitement," Rodman said two days ago at his press conference.

Dennis: a little excitement on the court, not off the court, and
stick to rebounding the ball.

If Rodman can’t handle the structure and rules that the Lakers
have, then he should consider a pro wrestling career.

The Lakers have not been able to repeat their "Showtime" years
and are struggling to meet up to those expectations. But
drastically changing the team chemistry by adding Rodman would only
provide more uncertainty for the future.

While the payoff might be slightly better for our beloved
Lakers, the repercussions of this devilish deal could be felt
throughout the City of Angels for many years to come.

Do we really want to see Kobe with a huge red Afro? Or see Eddie
dressing like a woman?

I hope not.

With a nucleus of All-Stars Shaquille O’Neal, Jones and Bryant,
the Lakers have a formidable line-up.

And with the recent addition of veteran Derek Harper at point
guard, the Lakers have received the leadership they need to reach
the NBA Finals.

The Lake Show is exuberant and also the youngest squad in the
league.

While they may be losing some games early on this season, it
should not press the Lakers’ management into any desperate moves.
Even the Bulls weren’t winning when Jordan and Pippen were young,
so there’s no need to fret.

There are growing pains that teams naturally go through before
being successful. But adding a viscous Rodman to the experiment
might explode in the Lakers’ faces.

The simple solution for the Lakers is to just relax, keep the
players they have (meaning don’t trade away Eddie Jones), and pray
that they acquire Baron Davis if he decides to leave after this
year.

Give the Lakers a little time, rather than a little Rodman.

Being billed as "the next Kobe," Salahuddin will be holding an
autograph session soon. To reserve your spot, e-mail him at
[email protected] Salahuddin

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