Rodman ready to make coaching debut in Elmira
Published: February 12, 2010
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BIG FLATS, N.Y. - When Dennis Rodman walked into Elmira/Corning Regional Airport on Thursday night, his bigger-than-life personality was in full display.
He spent some time with the children in attendance and joked and laughed with everyone as he held a press conference in advance of his professional coaching debut with the Elmira Bulldogs for games on Friday and Saturday night.
While Rodman was having fun and joking on Friday, he said he intends to show everyone this weekend that there is a serious side to him.
"I want to show people that I am different than the character they see on TV. Everyone always sees me on TV, they see me doing crazy stuff," Rodman said. "They see me on shows like rehab. I'm the sanest guy on that show."
Rodman believes that teams like the Bulldogs are full of good athletes, who haven't been given a chance by the NBA.
"David Stern does a great job, but where he goes wrong is I don't think they give American athletes a real opportunity. They are always looking for European players. I think Americans should have a chance to get to the NBA."
Rodman hopes that the players just go out this weekend and do what they always do.
"I want to try and do what Phil Jackson always did," Rodman said. "I don't want to try and overshadow anyone. I want them to go out and just play their game. Patience is a virtue. My good friend Chuck Daly, may he rest in peace, always said good things come to people who wait."
While Rodman will enjoy coaching the two games this weekend, it's not something he plans to do again in the future.
"It's too much stress, way to much stress," Rodman said. "I just want to have some fun. When you are a parent, you have to deal with egos with your kids. How do you deal with those egos with your kids and then go and coach 12 guys with egos from Hell? How do you do that?
"This right here is fun. Two days, once in a while, is great. But a lifetime of this - hell no."
Rodman intends to make this weekend a fun one for the younger fans.
"I'm going to get involved with all the kids," he said. "I'm going to do autographs and stuff. I'm going to just go out and coach. I'm going to get animated at times, because that's just who I am."
The ever-colorful Rodman, also known as "The Worm," played for the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. He was known during his NBA career for his fierce defensive and rebounding abilities. Rodman played the forward position in the NBA while earning NBA All-Defensive Team honors seven times and was voted NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice. He also led the NBA in rebounds for a record seven consecutive years and won five NBA Championships.
Tickets for the games are on sale at the First Arena Box Office and at all Ticketmaster locations nationwide. Tickets can be purchased by calling (607) 734-PUCK. Ticket prices for both contests are slated at $200 for Golden Circle Seats (which will include a post-game meet-and-greet with Rodman), $49, $30 and $24. For more information on the Bulldogs' two-game set at First Arena, go to www.firstarena.com, www.elmirabulldogs.com or www.easternbasketballalliance.com.
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