The past week in American sports has been quite interesting. The NBA All-Star game returned after a one-year hiatus. Two of tennis' all-time greats, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, announced plans to wed. Star NFL linebacker and league leading tackler Ray Lewis was charged with two counts of murder, only to be released from prison a few days later on $1 million bond. Tom Landry, the man who coached the Dallas Cowboys for twenty years, making them into "America's Team," passed away. Tiger Woods continued his quest for 11 consecutive PGA tour victories but failed even after catching the leader on the final day. Possibly the greatest player in baseball history, Ken Griffey Jr., returned home to play for his beloved Cincinnati Reds and to continue his quest of catching Henry Aaron's career homerun record of 755.
And, of course, what would a week be without some Dennis Rodman news. "The Worm" has signed for the remainder of the season with the Dallas Mavericks, a Western Conference team struggling to get into the playoffs.
Naysayers say that the Worm won't last in Dallas, that the spectacle and distraction that is Rodman outweighs his performance on the court.
The Worm is proving that some acts -- like Jerry Lewis in France or Wayne Newton is Vegas -- can go on forever. His constant flamboyance is his marketing tool. The man consistently changes his hair color, wears feather boas, and has an on-again, off-again marriage or relationship -- whichever you'd call it -- with supermodel Carmen Electra. Oh yeah, and there's his claim that the last time he leaves an NBA court as a player that he'll strip down and run off the court nude.
Not only is Rodman a huge act, but he can also be a distraction to his team. With the Detroit Pistons, Rodman was a role player, one of the "Bad Boy" enforcers on back-to-back championship teams. His hair was naturally colored then and he was just another guy who could rebound.
After being traded to San Antonio, Rodman came into his own. He established himself as the league's premier rebounder, but also began his pattern of disruption.
In Chicago, he was AWOL multiple times -- most notably during the NBA Finals when he went to Vegas to gamble on a night between games in Salt Lake City. But he did in fact lead the league in rebounding three more times and was a big reason why the Bulls won three more NBA Championships.
In Los Angeles last year, Rodman again proved his worth under the boards, but got himself cut for behavioral reasons. After the Lakers, virtually no team wanted to take a chance on Worm. That is until Dallas came calling.
Many ask why Rodman is still around, why someone would give him a chance, why someone would risk their team's chemistry by signing the Worm. Well, the answer to these questions is simple. Aside from added publicity that could aid in home game ticket sales for the Mavericks, the fact is that Rodman can still play the game at the highest level.
He still has the ability to be not only a premier rebounder but also a premier defender and passer from the power forward position. Just look at his numbers in his first two games -- 14.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Rodman's fundamental skills -- in every area aside from shooting -- are still superior in a league lacking such skills. And who could challenge his work ethic during games. The number of rebounds and loose balls that the man fights for is greater than the number of items under a kleptomaniac's jacket during a "shopping spree."
Many ask who would be dumb enough to sign Rodman. Well, that would be new Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban, a young businessman attuned to taking risks. Cuban made his millions taking risks and reaping huge benefits.
While the NBA is not the business world and a franchise's success is most directly related to on court performance instead of marketing, Cuban made the right move. Look at the numbers. Dallas is one of the league's younger teams and has offensive weapons such as Cedric Ceballos, Dirk Nowitzki, and budding superstar Michael Finley.
However, the team's rebounding and defensive numbers are awful. In both categories, they're near the bottom of the league. Seeing this, Cuban came to the conclusion that signing Rodman was the best option. He's right.
Now, the rules -- or the lack thereof, whichever you prefer -- that he has set for Rodman are not exactly the greatest idea but give him credit for making a bold move that most wouldn't. Cuban's primary goal is to win, to see the Mavericks grow around Finley and Nowitzki into a strong franchise.
If Cuban continues to bring in talent like he was with Rodman, Dallas may finally arise from the NBA's doldrums.
As for the Worm himself, who knows what the future holds. The only thing we know for certain is that Rodman will be Rodman. Oh yeah, and expect Carmen Electra to begin appearing courtside at Dallas' Reunion Arena on a regular basis. Who knows, maybe she and her annelid companion will do 80's retro one night and remind us how to do the "Electric Slide." Now wouldn't that be wild?
