The Lakers "decided to give up" on Dennis Rodman
yesterday, choosing to waive him from the team, according to
Howard Beck of the L.A. DAILY NEWS, who writes that the
decision, made jointly by Exec VP Jerry West, GM Mitch
Kupchak and Coach Kurt Rambis, came "just hours" after
Rodman "again arrived late for practice." Rambis, on
Rodman's explanation for being a "few minutes late": "He
said he was looking for socks and shoes and I told him
practice was 11, and why don't you just go home." West, in
a statement: "At this time, we feel it's in the best
interests of the Lakers to end the relationship. This
obviously didn't work out like we had hoped" (L.A. DAILY
NEWS, 4/16). Rambis: "We made exceptions and special cases
to accommodate him. But in my mind, the accommodation
period is over." Lakers C Shaquille O'Neal: "Kurt made the
decision. ... Do I agree with it? Yeah, I guess" (L.A.
TIMES, 4/16). Rodman spoke with Chris Myers on "Fox Sports
News": "They have to have a fall guy and basically, I'm the
fall guy. ... I don't know what I'm going to do right now.
... The Lakers are cowardice not to take the fall for some
of the things that happened here" ("Fox Sports News," 4/15).
ON SECOND THOUGHT: In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes that
team Owner Jerry Buss must now "return to his position of
Team Wallet, and give the basketball back to Jerry West."
Plaschke: "More than anything, the Rodman blemish proved
that the Lakers are an organization that desperately needs
somebody in control" (L.A. TIMES, 4/16).
