Rodman-Mavs

DALLAS (AP) -- Dennis Rodman, apparently recovered from his Super Bowl weekend, arrived in Dallas late Tuesday to continue trying to work out a deal with the Mavericks. <br>"He's in town, but nothing

Tuesday, February 1st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) -- Dennis Rodman, apparently recovered from his Super Bowl weekend, arrived in Dallas late Tuesday to continue trying to work out a deal with the Mavericks.
"He's in town, but nothing is signed," said Mark Cuban, the team's owner-in-waiting. "There's no press conference, no nothing."
Cuban said the rollicking rebounder stayed away from Dallas' game against Philadelphia on Tuesday night to avoid drawing attention from Michael Finley, who earlier in the day was chosen to the All-Star team. "I don't want to take anything away from Michael Finley," Cuban said.
Rodman has been debating whether to join his hometown team since last weekend. He put off a decision so he could party in Atlanta. The Mavericks had been hoping to have an answer Monday so he could be in the lineup Tuesday against Charlotte.
"I think he'll be making an announcement in the next 24-48 hours," Chris Suter, Rodman's Los Angeles-based publicist, said Tuesday. Salary-cap restrictions limit his potential salary to about $12,200 a game. With 38 games left starting Thursday, Rodman can make more than $463,000 for three months' work. Rodman, though, may have other plans. He said in Atlanta that he's planning on celebrating the Pro Bowl in Hawaii this weekend and that he'd like to hang out the following weekend at the NBA All-Star game in Oakland, Calif. The next day is Valentine's Day and there's no telling how he and Carmen Electra might celebrate it.
What kind of shape the 38-year-old forward is in becomes a more prominent question with every night he spends out on the town. Although conditioning has rarely been an issue with Rodman, it's worth noting that he's only played 23 games in the last 20 months. The Mavericks are willing to go along with some of his wacky behavior such as riding a stationary bicycle instead of practicing and pedaling during games. He also would have permission to arrive at games later than teammates.
Simply negotiating with Rodman already has paid off for the Mavericks because people are talking about them. The chance of him joining has been juicier news than the team's hottest winning streak in five years.
Even for all the off-court baggage Rodman brings, his on-court game is exactly what Dallas needs: rebounding, defense and intimidation. The Mavericks allow 8.7 more rebounds per game than they grab, one of the widest margins in league history, and they allow among the most points per game of any team in the league.