Yes, Dennis Rodman didn’t walk into the United Center until 7:20 p.m. Friday and he wasn’t on the Bulls’ bench when the game with Charlotte tipped off 20 minutes later.
And yes, he didn’t show up courtside until 7:47 and then spent time getting taped at his familiar corner seat.
But, coach Phil Jackson said later, “There was no insubordination or anything like that,” even though the Bulls are expected to be at the United Center at least 90 minutes before tipoff.
It was just that Rodman, like many other commuters in Friday’s inclement weather, got caught up in a traffic jam. Getting an earlier start than usual to beat the traffic didn’t seem to occur to him.
“I didn’t want to leave (my house) early and come in and waste my time,” Rodman said.
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That was hardly reason enough for Jackson to sit him for the night and in the Bulls’ 105-92 rout of the Hornets, Rodman played 23 minutes, grabbed 14 rebounds and scored six points.
“He wasn’t the only one who was late. There were about seven because of traffic,” Jackson said. “But Dennis’ was exaggeratedly late. So we have to deal with that.”
Meaning Rodman will be fined?
“Yes,” he said.