Put it way down on the list of negative repercussions from Dennis Rodman’s latest unexcused absence. But the league’s leading rebounder thinks his latest transgression–in which he skipped a team shootaround–will cost him a spot on the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
“I think I really ruined my chances,” Rodman said after Saturday’s practice. “I don’t think I have a shot at making the All-Star team now. I don’t care, either.”
So much for the prestige of midseason honors. Rodman’s comments come just a few days after Phil Jackson said he would rather have the days off than coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars.
“It’s not my goal in life to make the All-Star team,” said Rodman, a two-time All-Star when he played with Detroit. “If I’m voted, I’ll go. I’ll sit on the bench and look good and do my thing.”
Rodman currently stands sixth among Eastern Conference forwards, which means he would have to be added as a reserve by the coaching staff for the Feb. 8 game in New York.
Fine time: Jackson made it clear Rodman would be fined substantially more than the standard $250 fine he incurred for breaking team rules by missing Friday’s shootaround in New Jersey. He also revealed a sense of humor.
“My four assistants feel that since (Rodman) put in jeopardy the All-Star salaries that they would get (if the Bulls have the best Eastern Conference record at the break), that they should each get $12,000,” Jackson said. “That’s a $48,000 fine to start with, and we’re moving up from there.”
Oh, yeah . . . them: Almost lost in all the Rodman talk was that the Bulls face Utah Sunday in their first 1998 look at their opponent from last season’s NBA Finals. Like the Bulls, Utah survived an early-season injury to a major star–John Stockton–with little trouble. The Jazz are 27-13 after a tough loss Friday night at Indiana.
“I think Utah will come in fired up,” Jackson said.
The Bulls spent most of Saturday’s practice looking at film of Utah.
