Rodman’s Wife Holds the Key

Is it all up to Carmen Electra now?

The latest delay in the Dennis Rodman-to-the-Lakers dance is typically bizarre, involving Rodman’s marriage to the model-actress, whom he apparently only rarely speaks to.

On Monday, according to a source, Rodman called Executive Vice President Jerry West for their first person-to-person talk, and told him that he wouldn’t have a final decision about signing with the Lakers until he discussed it with Electra.

As of Tuesday night, Rodman had apparently not gotten back to the Lakers.

As of about a week ago, the Lakers were getting quite weary of the wait.

“I think I know what he’s going to do or what he’s trying to do,” said Shaquille O’Neal. “And whenever he decides to come, if he decides to come, that’s fine. If not, that’s also fine. . . .

“Does it kind of bother me? You know, he’s always been that type of guy to keep people guessing, the last five years anyway. . . .

“Somebody made an interesting point the other day. He’ll probably try to make his debut during a nationally televised game. Marketing-wise, that’ll probably be a good thing to do.”

The Lakers’ next national TV game is Friday night when they play host to the San Antonio Spurs--one of Rodman’s old teams--on TNT.

Meanwhile, Coach Del Harris said he has told his players he would prefer them no longer commenting about the potential signing or potential trades.

“I’m telling my players that I would prefer that they not give any more answers to trade rumors or acquisition rumors. I just feel we’ve done enough,” Harris said.

“It’s like my asking the interviewer, you know, what do you think your next wife or husband should be like? What qualities are you looking for in your next husband or wife?

“There’s a lot to that. We’re a team. Just like a husband and wife. I don’t think it’s healthy for them. They’ve done their part and I think we should just let it go now.”

*

Forward Robert Horry sat out Tuesday night’s game and will also miss tonight’s game as a precautionary measure after undergoing a series of tests Sunday and Monday for an irregular heartbeat.

Results of the tests showed that Horry’s heart and blood flow system are fine, but a monitor discovered occasional irregularity in the heartbeat.

The team said that doctors believe that the remaining irregularity may be related to a recent viral illness. Horry will be reexamined on Thursday.

Tonight vs. Dallas

7:30, Fox Sports West

* Site--Great Western Forum.

* Radio--KLAC (570 AM).

* Records--Lakers 4-3; Mavericks 1-6.

* 1997-98 Record vs. Mavericks--4-0.

* Update--This is the Lakers’ third back-to-back game, and first home back-to-back situation. So far, the Lakers are 1-1 in the second half of back-to-backs. The Mavericks are one of only six teams to be giving up more than 97 points a game.

* Tickets--Forum box office or TicketMaster (213) 480-3232.