The Worm has (re)turned. Dennis Rodman, freakazoid, is back in basketball.
It's right there on the drodman.com home page, the link to his signing with the Long Beach Jam of the ABA. Of course, he was washed up when he last played in 2000, so this has to be a publicity deal, right? Maybe it's to help boost his reality show or his Celebrity Mole Yucatan gig or whatever. (For $350 you can buy an autographed jersey. Interesting side note: his college team was nicknamed the Savages.)
Except Rodman's agent says in a release: "Dennis is in 90 percent perfect shape. ... Our ultimate goal is to be signed by an NBA team by the All-Star break."
Uh oh.
Interestingly, there is a link below it to a November Sports Illustrated article that quotes one of his friends on Rodman's recent lifestyle. "Everybody likes to have fun, but I don't want to see him get seriously hurt or kill himself - because that's where he's headed."
It's probably a safe bet SI is closer to the truth than his agent. Rodman was a good player with unique and extraordinary talents. But his NBA days are long over, and we hope no one in the league is so desperate for a publicity stunt. It likely would end badly, or sadly, or both.
Worm, stick to Celebrity Mole. Please.
Louisville vs. Cincy is must-see TV
Looking for the best college basketball rivalry of 2004? Turn on ESPN at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Two of the best defensive teams in memory - and perhaps two soon-to-be Final Four teams - will get it on when Louisville hosts Cincinnati.
As good as Rick Pitino and Bob Huggins' teams have been through the years, their 2003-04 editions appear destined to go down as classics. Wednesday could be the first of probably three (Conference USA tournament) and possibly four (NCAA Tournament) memorable clashes between them this season.
Entering Saturday's game vs. Tulane, the 12-1 Cardinals had won 12 straight, including two wins over No.1 ranked teams vs. Florida and at Kentucky. Cincinnati was 12-0 heading into Saturday's game vs. TCU. Entering the week, the Bearcats were No.1 nationally in scoring margin (26.2); the Cardinals were No.2 (23.0).
Cincinnati's defense has been nasty. Louisville's even better. The Bearcats were No.8 nationally, allowing a 37.9 field-goal percentage; the Cardinals were No.1 (35.1).
On offense, Louisville's Francisco Garcia is a blossoming star. Cincinnati has superb inside-outside scoring balance.
Give Louisville the slight edge Wednesday for playing in Freedom Hall. And be on the lookout for their next classic showdown.
