Analyze This: What Makes Rodman (and Lakers) Tick?

Perhaps I missed it, but nobody has covered appreciation/value or even a renegotiation tactic as a reason for Dennis Rodman’s personal leave.

I might be seen as cynical, but I think Dennis left to prove to the team and L.A. fans that he was the missing catalyst to their championship dreams. I don’t believe that it was an accident that Dennis left immediately after the trade that brought in Glen Rice.

It is not an unusual mentality for people who feel they are underpaid or undervalued to take nontraditional income: use of sick time, petty theft, etc. In Dennis’ case, taking some time in Vegas doing what he likes might be just that.

I think this episode accomplished all of Dennis’ strategic objectives.

ARTHUR G. GRANT

Mission Viejo

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It’s really sad, but Dennis Rodman has exposed the Laker organization as a floundering ship of fools. My high regard for the team’s management sank like the Titanic.

SONNY RICHARDSON

Upland

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Dennis Rodman gets a technical foul when he blows a good-natured kiss to Don Nelson and the Maverick bench. If Nellie blew a kiss back, would it be a double technical?

ANDY BYRNE

Alhambra

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I thoroughly enjoyed Tim Kawakami’s story about the Lakers’ recent six-game road trip [March 24]. However, someone should tell your map maker that Minneapolis is in Minnesota, not Wisconsin!

JOHN NELSON

Santa Monica

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Missing: Elden Campbell. Missing: Eddie Jones (“Ed-die! Ed- die!”). Missing: The attitude of Nick Van Exel (The price of Del Harris). Three-four since “the great trade.” You can’t just “click-in” a bunch of new pieces and expect to have chemistry. A championship mentality cannot be forged in 25 games. The former team had a real chance to go all the way, but this team, while potentially a better team, will fall in the third round.

MICHEL KASSETT

Los Angeles

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It has become evident that the sportswriters of The Times lack the ability to report without bias on the franchise player for the Lakers. Plaschke, Adande and Kawakami treat Shaquille O’Neal with such deference it’s sickening. Your writers were quick to denounce Rodman last week. Meanwhile, Rodman is the only repeated proven winner. The real criticism needs to be directed toward O’Neal.

O’Neal is the epitome of the player of the ‘90s who received his pay before delivering. He will never bring the intensity of his teammates to the same level as that of Dennis Rodman. The reason: He lacks leadership and class.

KEVIN TRANT

Redondo Beach