BEFORE Dennis Rodman’s week-long Super Bowl partying formally ends, I thought it might be reasonably challenging to figure out what’s on his mind regarding the future.
Will the NBA’s most pierced, tattooed and colorful player retire, return for another season or dump Carmen Electra to remarry agent-to-the-freaks Dwight Manley?
Hey, it’s not as if a person owning Rodman’s faultless flexibility is lacking for options and invitations. Never let it be said he’s unwilling to try something unused, used or abused. ”Once a philosopher, twice a pervert,” is the attitude he swears by.
Which is why we shouldn’t be fooled into believing Oddman won’t come off Miami’s conga line to play for Pat Riley.
As I recall, Michael Jordan found it in himself to tolerate his turbulent teammate’s bouts of temporary insanity and momentary lapses into depraved behavior for the sake of maintaining his air of superiority.
As Rudy Tomjanovich said, ”Never underestimate the scent of a champion.”
Somehow I suspect the Pope of Miami – having purified his intentions regarding Oddman last week in a team-conformity sermon – would sell his soul in a second if the league-leading rebounding devil could get him back to the title rung.
Oddman’s imperfections are undeniable. But, judging by the five championship teams that wouldn’t have won without his contributions, his flaws apparently aren’t fatal.
Given the opportunity, Padre Riles wouldn’t hesitate to overlook Oddman’s human frailties (picking up where Phil Jackson and Chuck Daly left off) as long as he produced on a regular basis.
Given the chance, you’d better believe the Preacher would love to coach Oddman’s intensity, intelligence and input.
”People have no idea how positive his peer pressure can be at times in the locker room,” says someone with first-hand experience. ”He says stuff to his teammates to get them into the proper frame of mind for the game that no coach could get away with.”
I’m rooting for Oddman to wind up in Miami … if, for no other reason, than to confirm Padre Riles’ hypocrisy.
True, he has punished players when they’ve screwed up. Anthony Mason, for example, was suspended for insubordination. But The Pope picks his spots. He often neglects to address the grievous faults of Alonzo Mourning (see his fight in last year’s playoffs which cost the Heat the Knicks series) because he’s afraid to offend his quasi franchise player, at least publicly.
Riley would handle Oddman in similar fashion. Then after work, they could compare hair notes: One dyes it, the other freeze-dries it.
That compatibility aside, Daly probably has inside position on Oddman’s diversified services. After all, he started his career in Detroit under Chuck, whom he views as the father he never had. Thus, it stands to reason he’d want to finish his career in Orlando under Chuck, as well.
Of course, should Oddman re-join Daly and wind up in some way embarrassing the DeVos family – whose family values appear to be contradiction to Dennis’ lifestyle – both of their careers may end a season earlier than expected.
Daly has spoken once or twice to Oddman about the possibility of becoming a starter for the Magic and, say sources, would like to meet with him in the next few days to explore it further. Daly’s last words to Oddman were, ”If you really want to play for me give me a call after the Super Bowl. Then we’ll take it from there and see what happens.”
Not surprisingly, the Magic players unanimously support Oddman’s signing; for the $1 million veteran minimum. Although Horace Grant and Derek Strong are macho forwards, and Bo Outlaw is also used in that capacity, you can never have enough toughness or rebounding. Especially when Daly has Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson and Ike Austin to station around Oddman and Outlaw to cover from their offensive deficiencies.
As mentioned, though, the thought of importing Oddman is making members of the DeVos family extremely squeamish. The same goes for certain Orlando columnists who want nothing to do with his anti-Disney character. At the same time, the majority of fans seem to want his brand of entertainment.
”One thing’s for sure Dennis,” said one of his confidants, ”if he doesn’t think he’s wanted he’ll bail out and go somewhere else. Or he’ll just retire.”
If Orlando fades out of the picture, look for the Lakers to take a run at Oddman, say sources. It all makes sense. Oddman lives in Newport Beach, the Lakers are a leading championship contender, Shaquille O’Neal is demanding management recruit more toughness, and Del Harris is the only NBA coach with a tattoo.
