Rodman Says He Regrets His Remarks About Bird, but Doesn’t Disavow Them

Detroit Piston Dennis Rodman says he’s sorry for saying Boston Celtic Larry Bird is overrated because he is white, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s changed his opinion.

Rodman’s comments came after he played against Bird in the National Basketball Assn. Eastern Conference finals that Boston won, 4-3. Teammate Isiah Thomas then stoked the controversy when he said he agreed with Rodman.

Thomas apologized on national television during Game 2 of the NBA finals between Boston and the Lakers. Rodman apologized Monday in a Dallas gym.

“I regret what I said,” Rodman said.

While he wouldn’t say if his feelings toward Bird have changed, Rodman expressed regret for speaking on the subject in the first place.

“It was one of those things that never should have been said,” Rodman told the Dallas Morning News. “It caused a lot of commotion. Really, I’ve already said enough.”

Rodman said he didn’t feel much heat after he made his remarks. “Everybody has been talking about all this,” Rodman said, “but there haven’t been that many people bothering me.”

On May 30, Rodman said: “I don’t think he’s the greatest player. Why does he get so much publicity? Because he’s white. You never hear about a black player being the greatest.”