Dennis Rodman, the Laker Years, er, Year, er, Months . . .

I was wrong. It’s time for me to eat my words. Dennis Rodman is the ultimate punk and received his just rewards. The Lakers may have expected that he would receive technical fouls and repeatedly be late to practice, but when he sat by himself during timeouts, shunning the coaching staff and teammates, refusing to enter games and pulling his Ceballos, the Lakers had no choice.

As talented as he is, he’s a bigger idiot. He must think that L.A. fans are also idiots and would still back him. If it were up to us, we would’ve booted him out long ago. His last chance to salvage what should have been a Hall of Fame career has ended.

GENO M. APICELLA, Burbank

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I have to admit, I too was stoked by Rodman’s presence those first few games. Then, whatever the illness is that inhabits that wacky character kicked in and it quickly became apparent that not only was he no longer useful to the team, but a detriment as well. He had to go.

It’s sad, but not as sad as Dennis. He needs to face the fact that he is one sick puppy. I wish him the help he needs.

DAN JENSEN, San Clemente

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Jerry Buss, the next time you want to play general manager, do yourself and all of us a big favor and simply take another vacation. Never was a move so destined to fail.

Welcome back, my Lakers. Whether the playoff run is long or short, at least the Freak Show is over and I can watch you again.

ERIC MONSON, Temecula

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There needs to be a new category designated for the athlete paid to compete at the highest level. Currently, the word professional is used. But Dennis Rodman has put the icing on the cake.

There is nothing professional about an employee who is being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for a few months’ work who can’t find his shoes, won’t show up to work on time, has unexcused absences, is gambling and drinking when he should be working and defies management directives openly at the expense of the organization’s success.

But, what should we call those athletes that aren’t professional? Maybe Kurt Rambis solved that. The category should be called Ex-.

DENNIS SCHROEDER, Lake Forest

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Some facts on the Rodman firing:

1. The remaining games at the Forum are sold out because of Dennis Rodman, not because of Glen Rice.

2. It was the Eddie-Elden trade that derailed the Lakers, not Rodman.

3. The Lakers now have absolutely no chance in the playoffs.

4. Without Rodman, the Lakers instantly become an even more lethargic and lackadaisical team.

5. Rodman provided comic relief in yet another disappointing Laker season.

6. Last year, the Lakers had Eddie, Elden and Van Exel. Don’t blame this on Rodman.

7. Jerry West is not the martyr everyone thinks he is. He didn’t even have the guts to see this one through to the end of the season.

8. Buy that Rodman Laker jersey quick, before they’re all gone.

9. I am hereby giving up on the Lakers this season, so see you next year.

10. Thank goodness I don’t have to buy your paper and read Mark Heisler any more.

ROBERT ORRANTE, Sylmar

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Everyone says the Lakers had to face facts by letting Rodman go. Well, the facts are that a team that desperately needs defense, championship will and discipline on the court just threw the best it had in these areas out the window. The Lakers said they knew what they were getting when they signed Rodman. They said as long as he performed on the court, they would handle the off-court distractions. That obviously was not the truth.

The Lakers got exactly what was advertised. Where are they going to replace the team-leading 11 rebounds a game, Travis Knight? Who will be the defensive stopper on the opponents’ big man, Robert Horry? Which one of these players has any clue what kind of heart and will it takes to win a championship, Shaquille O’Neal?

Plaschke is right on the mark. After this move, the Lakers still don’t have a coach, still don’t have a defense, still don’t have a Michael or Magic, and still don’t have a margarita’s chance in Salt Lake City of winning a championship.

WILLIAM DAVID STONE, Beverly Hills